Easter sensory bins provide a fun, hands-on way for toddlers to explore textures, colours, and fine motor skills while celebrating the holiday.
This easy-to-assemble activity can be customised to suit your child’s developmental stage.
Materials Needed
- Large plastic bin or shallow tray
- Shredded green paper, Easter grass, or dyed rice (base)
- Plastic Easter eggs
- Pom-poms, felt chicks, or small bunny figurines
- Tongs, scoops, or plastic spoons (for motor skill development)
- Optional: Water beads, dried beans, pasta, or kinetic sand (for texture variation)
Step 1: Prepare the Base
- Spread shredded green paper, dyed rice, or another soft material in the bottom of the bin.
- Ensure the base is thick enough to partially cover objects for a “hidden treasures” effect.
Step 2: Add Themed Items
- Scatter plastic eggs throughout the bin, some opened with surprises inside.
- Include soft textures like pom-poms or felt figures to encourage tactile exploration.
- Hide small bunny figurines or Easter-themed toys for a fun discovery element.
Step 3: Introduce Fine Motor Tools
- Provide child-safe tongs or scoops for picking up eggs, pom-poms, or small items.
- Encourage sorting by size, shape, or colour to enhance cognitive skills.
Step 4: Customise with Sensory Elements
- Textured Fillers: Add water beads, dried beans, or kinetic sand for a different sensory experience.
- Magnetic Elements: Hide magnetic objects inside eggs and use a magnetic wand for retrieval.
- Water Play: Use a shallow tray filled with water and floating eggs for a wet sensory bin version.
Step 5: Supervise and Guide Play
- Sit with your toddler and encourage them to explore through touch, sorting, and scooping.
- If you include small objects, ensure they are safe for your child’s age and always supervise them.
- Ask questions like, “Can you find all the blue eggs?” or “What does this texture feel like?”
Step 6: Clean Up and Store for Future Use
- Remove any perishable items and store the sensory bin for repeated play sessions.
- Rotate different materials to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
