Sensory Box Idea

[cheerfuldom]

So I need ideas for "filler" that are NOT messy items (sand, water, rice) or items that are choking hazards (beans and small items). Right now I have four under 2 and then one 2 year old. On the days my older group is here (4, 4.5, 6), I'd like to use our sensory table without the babies crawling thru a mess of rice and swallowing beans LOL

So let me know all your ideas! I will have some extra money next week and plan to do maybe three sensory box options so I can just pull out a box, pop it on the table and have an instant activity.

So, what ideas do you have for sensory box themes for 4 to 6 year old girls?

[Kcole1075]

I need ideas for fillers too. I have beans currently but I have a two who puts everything in his mouth still. So I have to put it up when he is here.

[CraftyMom]

Most sensory bin mediums are possible choking hazards. You might try cooked spaghetti that you could color with food coloring, most of my dck love it. Shaving cream, which can also be colored. Shredded paper or chunks of ripped paper. Paper easter grass.

Right now our rice bin is St Patrick's themed. Gold coins, green bead strings, glittery shamrock table scatter

[Meyou]

Larger pasta, pom poms, puzzle pieces, cotton balls, feathers, shredded paper.

[Blackcat31]

Dry items

rice
beans
split peas
sand
corn meal
coffee grinds
birdseed
flour
cotton balls
Easter grass
oatmeal
pasta
popcorn kernels
dirt
marbles
leaves
corn husks
grass clippings
craft feathers
pom poms
shredded mylar
packing peanuts
Easter Eggs (last three are great for babies)
scraps of fabric
koosh balls

Wet items

ice
water
snow
water beads
shaving cream or Soap Foam
pumpkin guts
cooked pasta
cooked oatmeal
cooked beans/chick peas
bubbles
jell-o
pudding
whipped cream
cornstarch and water

http://www.yourkidstable.com/2012/06/ultimate-list-of-sensory-bin-ideas.html

The link above also has some great ideas about "how" to play with sensory bins.

[SilverSabre25]

http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=0&keyword=pom+poms&scategoryid=0

[CraftyMom]

To add to the list above, potting soil! Great for an outside sensory bin since it gets pretty messy.