Fun and Easy Sensory Bins for 1 Year Old Kids

Looking for easy, DIY sensory bins for 1 year old kids? Take a look at these sensory bin ideas for toddlers to get their hands on!

We’ve all heard how beneficial sensory play can be for babies and toddlers, from exploring different textures to new scents. But we also know how difficult it can be to remove slime from carpets or sweep dried rice. How can kids participate in sensory play without the mess?

Enter the sensory bin.

These large containers filled with different textures can be a fantastic way for your child to explore with her hands in a safe and clean way. Sensory bins can also introduce textures that she might be scared about, from sand at the beach to water at bath time.

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Sensory bins for 1 year old kids

Perhaps you need an activity to keep her occupied while you’re pregnant and on bedrest or nursing the baby. Or maybe you just need a cleaner alternative to her daily habit of sitting in the mud and bringing all sorts of dirt into the house.

A sensory bin can help.

So, what are a few things you can include in your sensory bin? Below, I’ll share several popular ideas you can try with your little one. I hope you can find some inspiration below:

1. Dry food

Rice: One of the best DIY activities is a rice sensory bin. Buy rice in bulk and pour it into your box for endless fun!
Beans: Get beans or lentils in different colors and textures as sensory bin fillers.
Pasta: Small pieces of pasta like orzo, penne, or elbow macaroni work well.
Oatmeal: Oats can make for a different texture, especially if you mix it with water (don’t forget to toss it right away if it’s wet).
Popcorn kernels: Fill your bin with these yellow kernels!

Include measuring cups or spoons to scoop the materials with and small figurines or toys to bury and find.

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2. Wet food

Jello: Fill a bin with jello and include small toys she can dig into. Or make several batches in different colors to place in the bin. This is a great taste-safe activity!
Noodles: Boil long noodles like fettuccine or spaghetti and let them cool enough to touch. Then, place the noodles in the bin and add a little more water if need be.
Orange slices in water: Slice an orange (or lemon) into thin rounds and drop them in the bin full of water. The smells of citrus can be a unique twist to water play. Add a small ladle or bowls to practice scooping and pouring. You can do the same with fresh herbs like rosemary.

3. Kneading and shaping

Kinetic sand: This is a hit with my kids, especially since they hold their shape better than sand but isn’t as tough as clay.
Play dough: Another classic is play dough, whether homemade or store-bought. This encourages open-ended play, from pinching off bits to mixing colors. You can also try cloud dough or moon sand for a fun alternative.
Slime: Sticky slime can make for so much fun. Steer clear of any rugs or cloth furniture, since slime is notoriously difficult to remove.
Dirt and mud: And of course, there’s always good ol’ dirt and mud! Take soil from the garden and mix it with water in your sensory bin. Add extras like pine cones, leaves, and twigs for more play.

4. Textures

Sensory bins aren’t just about beans and rice—it can also include different objects, especially around the home. Here are a few suggestions:

Scarves and cloths: Stash scarves, handkerchiefs, and cut-up pieces of cloth into the bin.
Pom poms: These come in all sizes and colors and can be a great filler. Add a pair of tongs to practice fine motor skills.
Lego blocks in water: Have your child “wash” the blocks with a toothbrush and soapy water.
Soap and water: Pour hand soap or bubble soap into the bin and fill it with water to make lots of bubbles! Create a pouring station with measuring cups and scoops, too.
Grit and stones: Pour garden grit or small river rocks into the bin.

Best practices

As always, monitor your child at all times, especially since you’re playing with small items or water. This is the age when they want to put everything in their mouths. Should you need to step away, either bring her with you or cover the box with a lid to keep it out of reach.

Want to minimize a lot of the mess? Try these preventative measures:

Lay down a shower curtain or trash bag to contain spills.
Get bigger bins to minimize the mess that could spill.
Do these activities outdoors where messes and spills are less of an issue.
Keep a towel nearby for spills and messes.

Then, to extend the life of the materials, store them in separate boxes when not in use. But you should always toss any that get wet (for instance, wet pasta or cereal).

Lastly, see if you can do a monthly sensory bin where you change the materials every month. This gives your child plenty of opportunities to truly engage with one bin, yet introduces new play ideas once she’s done.

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