Sensory bins are great for boys’ learningand because boys like them so much I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at them as a hands-on learning option for your boys.
These are great to set up and just let your boys play. They can also help plan a bin! Read on to see what they learn and find some awesome sensory activityideas for boys.
This post may contain affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. All opinions are my own and I share things I think would be of interest to boys.
What is a Sensory Bin?
So, what exactly is a sensory bin? Well, each bin is different, but basically it is a container of some sort—usually of the Rubbermaid variety–that is filled with a filler such as rice, beans, sand, cotton, slime, water etc. What is added to that depends on the type of bin you are creating. You can add things like scoops, blocks, small plastic figures, sticks, rocks, gems, coins, treasure, cars, LEGO, you get the idea!
The wonderful thing about creating these bins is that you can do it on your own and use your creativity to make a bin you know would be perfect for your boy. You can also use the ideas below as a starting point and make a bin just like the ones shown. Or work with your boy to let him create a bin all his own.
10 Things Boys Learn by Using Sensory Bins
- Investigation skills
- Problem solving
- Story-telling skills
- Creativity
- Experimentation
- Vocabulary
- Dramatic play
- Exploration
- Curiosity
- To use their imaginations
Let’s not forget the word “sensory” in sensory bins. The bins introduce or let kids explore their senses as well.
If you want to know more about sensory bins and learning there is a very good article on Suzy Homeschooler that explains not only bins, but also the importance of play.
Sensory bins can be used for just about any subject you are covering, or that your boy is working on at school. You can also use them for topics your boy is interested in. Interest-based learning works very well for many boys.
Note: Use common sense when filling your bins. You know your boys better than anyone else does. You know if any of the items that you choose to put into your bin would be a choking hazard and/or cause an allergy issue.
Sensory Bin Ideas for Boys
Space Melt! This should be an easy one to throw together with toys you likely already have in the house (if you need space guys–we like these) Just check with your boys first—some young boys might get upset if they see one of their favorite space figures trapped in a block of ice! I would add a salt shaker so they can see what happens if they put salt on ice.
Take this idea and run with it. You can use all types of different figures to put into the ice block. I’m thinking this arctic set would be neat too.
Pirates are a favorite topic around here. I found this pirate sensory bin that was made with rocks and water beads. The storytelling aspect of this bin is what drew me to it. It is very neat!
Be sure to see our pirate books and our pirate homeschool unit study for activities if your boy is a pirate fan.
This junkyard counting sensory bin is super! I really like it a lot. They combined their bin with the book Junkyard
—appropriate right? and made some munching machines. It’s a good one.
If you try this out with older kids (and I would) then when they are about done messing around with the bin, ask them what they think they could make with the pieces in the bin. Throw in some paperclips, tape and binder clips, and let them have at it.
Down on the farmincludes animals, straw, and corn. There is a balance included which I think is a very good idea. We did so much with our simple little balance and my son certainly learned a lot from playing around with it. (see our choice below) You could also use ascaleto weigh things.
This construction sensory bin is sure to be a hit. Grab some of the smaller construction vehicles, sticks, rocks, figures, blocks and some sand (could also use beans) and let them play, play, play.
Let’s put on our hardhats and go mining for magnets! So simple and yet you can learn so much from playing with magnets. Set this one up very quickly for some fun magnet play. Add whatever magnets you have or try the set at the bottom of this post.
Using Sensory Bins with Older Boys
Sensory bins can be used for boys of all ages. Here are a few that I know older boys would enjoy. Please do not think they are “too old” for this type of open-ended play. I assure you, they are not. I have seen boys as old as 15 dabbling with things in a bin for a while. You just have to add the right things.
A good resource for materials for bins for older kids is this article on sensory play from my friend Anna at In the Playroom. Her list actually covers ages 0 – 10 but I am particularly fond of her choices for the 5 – 10 age group.
Sensory Bins Ideas for Older Boys
This is totally cool! Older boys will enjoy the topics of this Geek sensory bin with Star Wars, robots, Dr. Who, Harry Potter and ninjas.
I think older boys would enjoy this one as well. LEGO & Star Wars plus green bubbling slime—um yeah, pretty hard to resist.
You know I couldn’t leave out dinosaurs, right? There are plenty of learning opportunities here. The bin includes plants (love that!) water, dinosaurs, reptiles, and rocks. Read some dinosaur books, study plants, go on a rock hunt, and play with the dinosaur bin—Fun!
If your boy is into trucks, you really have to give this one a go. Monster truck sensory bin is a bit more work to set up, and a bit messier, but it is worth it. One thing we have done to add some learning with cars and trucks is to have races and break them down by heats to find the big winner.
Here are some great items toadd to bins. Click the images learn more.
Many boys are very fond of hands-on experiences. They like to touch and feel things. They like to “do” instead of just watch.
You can take almost any subject and inject some learning fun into it by simply using a sensory bin. The great thing about these bins is that they are so memorable. Boys love them and want more of them! Because they enjoy them so much they are more likely to remember the topic you are sharing with them.
Other articlesyou might enjoy:
9 Dinosaur Activities for Toddlers and Their Big Brothersincludes more sensory bins.
Read and Play with Book Sensory Bins
Ooey, Gooey LEGO Slime Sensory Bins
