Oh my word, sensory play how I love/hate you. Andddd I know my sister would be so proud. She is like, the queen of sensory play + setting up invitations to play for my nieces. Do not worry my friends, she will be sharing some goodness on the blog in the future because she really is a fantastic resource for fun activities that promote independent play.
Okay. So. Most of you know that along with my very full time job of being a stay-at-home mama, I also run my own makeup + skincare business + with that comes times that I really need to go LIVE on FB or get on a call with my team. Anddd I wish I could say that I didn’t utilize screen time as a tool to keep GBB busy–but I do! Of course I am very mindful of what he watches and we balance out our days + heyyyyy springtime is around the corner, BUT I was searching for a new activity that would engage George and allow him to play independently while this mama got her work done + Eloise napped.
I am a firm believer of independent play. I am also a firm believer in limited screen time. Oh, and sugar. BUT Y’ALL I’M NOT PERFECT. So, I am working on trying to show up as the best mama version of myself. And with that came my intense search for some Pinterest ideas for dude, and holy moly, sensory bins were just all over my computer. I almost wanted to just close Pinterest + say YOU KNOW WHAT?! NO. I am constantly tidying up, I don’t want another mess.
ANYWAY.
Friends. I made a unicorn rice sensory bin + it was amazing. Oh, and very easy to make.
What you’ll need:
- rice
- tray (I used an aluminum BBQ tray)
- paint (I used Martha Stewart’s satin acrylic paints!)
- spoons
- cookie sheet trays
- plastic bin for play
- little toys–some ideas: mini dinosaurs (have your kiddos go on a dig!), trucks + cars (HUGE in our home!), containers + boxes, spoons, measuring cups
I divided up the rice into three + I squirted a bit of paint into the rice mounds and mixed it up (with help from George!) and then lay the rice out on cookie trays (and extra plates because we made so much lol) + set it to dry.
Once it was all dry, I put it into the bin + George grabbed his favourite trucks and got started. I was able to spend some beautifully intentional time nursing Elle to sleep for her second nap and he played the whole freaking time. Like, was having a blast.
Now, incase you’re like me + are like, well, sensory play is everywhere and I’m being told it’s so good but really, like, what is the freaking point?!
It is so valuable.
- Tactile Learning. I mean, it is called sensory play for a reason. Kiddos are playing with their sense: seeing how the rice moves, hearing how it sounds when it is being poured or driven through, and how it feels between fingers!
- Life Skills. Scooping, pouring, dumping! All very important skills for life, right?! We might overlook the importance of spoon skills and the act of transferring rice from one area to another.
- Pre-Math Skills. Ha, let’s hope this helps my kiddos with math because let’s be real, I am good at a lot of things but I am not a mathematician. Ask my mama ;) With sensory play, kids are learning measurement, capacity, estimating, and spatial awareness. That seems like a whole lot from one bin of really pretty coloured rice! I’m here for it.
- Independent Play + Pretend Play. Literally my most favourite thing in the world. There is nothing I love more than sitting (and I sit far away) and watching my children lost in play. Play is their job, it is their work. Anddd I firmly believe that it is an important job of mine to help guide my children to play independently and use their imagination. This can seem very hard in the land of iPads + Netflix. I love how sensory bins help with concentration and focus + there is nothing telling kiddos what to do or how to do it. It’s all them. It’s child driven! And it’s magical.
- Fine Motor Skills. Moving of fingers, gripping of their hands, and the coordination of their eyes. Literally, so valuable.
- Developing Self-Control. Before we play with a sensory bin (and keep in mind, this is a fairly new activity in our home because, HASHTAG I WAS SCARED), I let George know the boundaries + rules before I open it up. We are not to put anything in our mouth (or feed our little sister who doesn’t get to play with this one yet) + the stuff stays in the bins. Anddd yes, honestly, rice does leave the bin a bit (but I have a tablecloth out) + I watched as he worked very very very hard at keeping all the stuff inside the bin. He is learning to follow the rules–and this is definitely something that I am so proud of him for. Listening and following the rules can be hard these days so this makes it super low-stakes + a great safe environment to learn to stay within the boundaries that have been set out.
I would highly recommend a sensory bin (or two!) for your little ones and oh you better believe once the weather is warmer, I will be bringing bigger sensory bins outside too. George is so excited about this rice bin and I am feeling so incredible as a mama to provide a fun + educational activity for him. Am I still working on the slight stress of a massive mess?! YES. A HUNDRED TIMES YES. But a short term mess for the long term goal of George learning the above skills makes it worth it to me. And yes, I have to repeat that to myself over + over, ha.
Have you created sensory bins for your kids?! Or is this something you’d rather not have in your home + you enjoy at the neighbourhood drop in or preschool?! (PS NO SHAME IF YOU’RE THE LATER BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THERE!).
XO