Sensory bins are my go to activity with my toddler. They are so easy to set up once you have the supplies; they occupy their attentions for so long and there is so much opportunity for learning!!!

Looking for other fun sensory bins for summer? Check out this amazing roundup of 21 Amazing Sensory Bins for Summer or 21 Amazing Sensory Bins for Toddlers and Preschoolers or Summer Sensory Bins for Toddlers!

Supplies:

• Water Beads
• Dirt and water
• Scoopers
• Small containers

Water Beads

If you haven’t tried water beads, you and your little one are in for a real treat. They are an amazing sensory experience. You can buy them from the dollar store, in the garden section or on Amazon.

Water beads start off extremely small when you first take them out of the package. Place them in a container and add water, lots of water (follow the instructions on the package) and watch them grow and grow and grow!

(CAUTION: watch all babies and toddlers that still put things in their mouths very closely when playing with water beads)

Dirty Play

Most of the time when we play with water beads it is a very clean sensory experience, usually in water with toys and containers that she can fill with water beads. By adding mud you double the sensory fun!

Set Up:

Whenever I do an activity that involves mixing or adding one thing to another, I always let my toddler do the mixing. It extends the playtime and the sensory experience.

Adding Tools

Once she was done mixing, the fun part begins. I added Handy Scoopers to the sensory bin and she proceeded to make ice cream cones. Another great by product of sensory bin play is that it also gives toddlers a great opportunity to use their very active imaginations.

Using tool in messy muddy activities like this one is also good for toddler wary of getting their hands dirty.

ARE YOU GOING TO TRY WATER BEADS IN MUD WITH YOUR TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER? Pin it for later!