The Mixed Up Chameleon Sensory Bin
The Mixed Up Chameleon Sensory Bin
After putting a lot of thought into what type of bin I would set up, rice and beans won out. I wanted more than one sensory bin filler. With 2 fillers it would be a “mixed up” sensory bin.
Supplies/What we used:
colored rice
dried green peas
colored navy beans
plastic bin
plastic toys
sticks
and a few bowls, containers, and scoops
This sensory bin was set up for the purpose of having FUN. This is not a typical habitat for a chameleon and the toys inside are probably lizards and not chameleons. But for the sake of play, it was the best Mixed Up Chameleon Sensory Bin I could set up for my kids.
What we did:
I Put the colored and scented rice and beans in the under the bed storage bin we use for playtime. I put them side by side. I then added our plastic toys. One of the “chameleons” was pink and 2 were green. The other 4 I spray painted to give them fun colors. I added a few containers, scoops, and bowls.
We took our sensory bin outside for playtime. It SMELLED AMAZING! Cherry and orange rice with lemon beans.
This sensory bin was great for my multi aged kids (1-5yr). All of them got to enjoy playing in it.
The scooping and pouring (gross motor skills) seemed to be the kids favorite.
The kids got to explore sight, touch, and smell in this bin.
Also a great way to enjoy pretend play. It was an open ended activity for the kids.
Making soup for me.
I did add a few sticks to the sensory bin but to my surprise they did not get played with. Since sticks are a must on walks and zoo trips… I thought for sure they would play with them.
This was a bit messy. We did keep a little of the rice and beans for playtime again. The rest was swept up. Next time I might lay a plastic table clothe down. I hope it will hold the mess. Then I can just pick it up and trash it.
We read a great book and then went out to explore our Mixed Up Chameleon Sensory Bin. A fun way to spend the afternoon.
How to make Cherry Rice:
Follow the directions here and substitute Cherry extract for the apple scent and pink food coloring for the red. Then you end up with awesome Cherry scented rice for play.
How to make Orange Rice:
Follow the above link and substitute Young Living Orange Essential Oil – 15 ml
How to make colored and scented beans:
I followed the directions here Coloring Lima Beans for Learning and Crafts by Praying for Parker. Then I added Young Living Essential Oil Lemon 15 ML
The green peas, well, they were already green so I did not do anything to them.
More Eric Carle posts:
Butterfly Craft (a great activity for The Very Hungry Caterpillar)
~You can find more colored bean fun here How To Color Beans for Play by Fun At Home With Kids.
~Another idea for colored beans is decorations here Vase Filler by Baking Therapy.
Pete The Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons- Counting Activity
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom- Letter Learning Activity for Kids
About The Author
Jaime
Hi! I am Jaime, mama to three high energy boys. With three boys, life never slows down, but I wouldn't have it any other way! We love creating, learning, and crafting together and we can turn anything into an adventure.
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So cute, Jaime! I love that your little chameleons coordinated with the bin fillers and gave the opportunity to see camouflage in action too! 🙂
Sensory bins are always a big hit at our house! I love how this one looks- so colorful and fun!