I absolutely believe that kids should be playing every day! One of the ways I love to incorporate play into my day is my morning sensory bins. The students love the bins and groan when they have to do something else.l
I started building these bins with things I already had in the room. They didn't care if the items were brand new, used, garbage or something I dug out of the closet. They are very creative with whatever I ended up giving them.
Some of my beginning of the year bins were:
- Pipe Cleaners and colored noodles
- Mini cups (shot size), with craft sticks and index cards (Challenged them to build the biggest tower and see how many blocks could they stack on the top - Don't let them fall in the lava!)
- Legos
- Colored mini blocks
During Christmas, I changed all the blocks, cups, pipe cleaners etc. to red and green. I also added fake candy canes, elves, pine trees, mini gifts etc. They were loving the changes and I was inspired to make their winter boxes the best ever.
So I started thrift shopping! I wish I could do this as a full time job!
I have 5 bins and the students have free choice and can move between the bins. They are required to clean up before moving on unless the rest of the group wants it to be left. Sometimes they are working on things together.
All blue blocks of all different shapes including see through blocks. Added ice cubes that I thrifted. The polar animals were from Temu.
Dollar Tree had the silver shot cups at New Years.
Dollar General also carries this size.
Found some great magna blocks from Temu. They were a little pricey but well worth it and the kids loved the little animals that came with the set. They also have magnets.
No comments