Dollar Tree is usually my first stop for sensory bin inspiration. I’ve had most of this for a few years, but they usually have similar things from year to year. This was my first attempt at colored pasta and it could not have been any easier. Actually, my five year old did it! All we did was pour some pasta into a zip lock bag, added a few squirts of paint (we used washable), sealed the bag, and shook it up. We poured it out on a sheet pan and it was dry in no time! She’s already working on all the colors of the rainbow — sure to make an appearance for St. Patty’s Day. I’ve used this pasta with little hands for a week and have not have any problems with the paint coming off.
I added some pink and red heart table scatter from Dollar Tree, some foam hearts, and some red, white, and pink poms. Will someone please remind me NOT to buy more of these next year?!
I found these cute little heart cups at Hobby Lobby for 40% off and couldn’t pass them up. I always save random scoops from laundry detergent, protein powder, etc., to use in sensory bins, so I threw some of those in, too!
Ways to Play:
*Use to scoops to put items into the cup
*Pouring items between cups
* Search for specific items
*Sort items by color/shape/size, etc
- Pink hearts and red hearts
- Bowtie pasta and rotini pasta
- Big hearts and small hearts
- Shiny hearts and plain hearts
- Red, white, and pink poms
I always incorporate as much language as possible with my little people and sensory bins lend themselves nicely for basic language — “out,” “in,” “scoop,” “shake,” “ready, set, go!” “more,” “all done”…colors, counting and so much more! Hands on play with repetition is how they learn!
Some of my friends need more help to expand their play skills, but, usually, they surprise me with their own ways of engaging with sensory bins.
Do you think your kiddo would enjoy this activity? I would love to know how they decide to play with it!
XO
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