INSIDE: Here is a fun science meets early math sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers!! Make fizzy shapes using baking soda and vinegar!!
Sensory Bin Favourite
When I set up this sensory bin I was feeling a bit out of sorts. I had a lot on my plate but I wanted to set something up for everyone to enjoy. Sensory bins are always my go to activity with all the kids. So I asked my 6 year old what type of sensory bin did she want me to set up for them. Without skipping a beat she said “a fizzy sensory bin!!”
Easy STEAM Sensory Bin
Her favourite sensory bin from my book Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids was fizzy experiment using baking soda and vinegar. It’s a classic STEAM activity that is super easy to set up; creates an instant reaction and is safe for toddlers and preschoolers to try.
So this fizzy shapes sensory bin was born! And boy it did not disappoint. The only downside to this sensory bin is the amount of vinegar I ended up using. I used the vinegar at full strength but if you want to make it last longer you may try to water id down slightly. Do a few tests before letting your little one try or better yet do the tests with your little one to see how much water added to the vinegar reduces the reaction.
Ways to Extend This Activity
If I had planned this activity out before hand (which you will have the benefit of doing) and not just setting it up on the fly, I would have set up a few bowls with water and vinegar combined in different proportions. For instance, half water, half vinegar; 1/3 water, 2/3 vinegar and 1/3 vinegar, 2/3 water.
Setting Up Fizzy Shapes Sensory Bin
- Grab your sensory bin and cookie cutters, jar lids, Tupperware container lids and muffin tins in different shapes. Think circles, squares, rectangles stars, hearts. This activity is all about science but it is also about learning and identify shapes. Let your little one help you find these items and shapes in the drawer. Identify the shapes as they discover them.
- Spoon out baking soda into each shape. I spooned about about 3-4 tablespoons into each.
- Then add a drop or two of food colouring into each shape. This activity is also a great way to practice and identify colours.
TIP: If you are trying to learn a single colour or shapes focus on that colour or shape only in your sensory bin. This is ideal for young toddlers. But if your preschooler is proficient in identifying their colours and shapes you can add more than one
- Place vinegar into bowls or glass and add an eye dropper. See the tips above for saving your vinegar.
- Have your child identify all the shapes first. Then invite them to use the eye droppers to add some vinegar into the shape and then watch the magic happen!
Tip: Practice using eye droppers first with some water.
Supplies
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- Sensory Bin or Sensory Table
- Bowls or Glasses
- Different shape cookie cutters, different shaped lids and Tupperware containers (circles, stars, hearts, squares, rectangles)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Food Colouring
- Water (optional)
WILL YOU TRY FIZZY SHAPE SENSORY BIN WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? PIN IT FOR LATER!
