I filled a turkey roasting pan with some of the following New Year’s Eve sensory bin objects:
- paper horns
- plastic cups wrapped in sparkly pipe cleaners
- streamers
- black eyed peas and various beans
- red plastic spoon
- funny glasses
- a tracing tool in the shape of a clock
- cookies cutters for the number 1-9
JDaniel had a grand time looking over each element in the New Year’s Eve sensory bin. He sorted through everything to see exactly what was in the bin and how much of each item there was. Then he put in everything, but the glasses back in to play with. JDaniel had too wear the glasses. I knew he would love them.
With this bin I sat with JDaniel and talked over each of the objects and why I had put them in the bin. With some bins I just let JDaniel dig in and play. He has a grand time playing and learning while he works with the various items in the bin.
What kinds of learning can be explored using a this New Year’s Eve sensory bin?
Language
Letter formation- The beans can be formed into letters as can the other objects in the bin.
Oral Communication- Children can talk about what they are doing as they explore.
Storytelling- Children can make up a story using objects in the bin as props.
Vocabulary Development- Parents can introduce holiday related words like celebration, countdown, etc..
Math
Number Sequence- Children can line up the cookie cutters in the correct order.
Measuring Volume- Children can measures how many spoonfuls of beans can fill a cup.
Measuring Length- Children can measure the length of the streamers.
Counting Objects- Children can count how many of each object there is.
Compare Numbers of Objects- Children can find object that there are more of than the horns.
Number Sentences- Children can add the number of cups to the number of cookie cutters.
Music
Homemade shaker- The beans can be put in the cup and a child can put the clock on the top of the cup and shake it.
Spoon Playing- Children can explore what objects make the loud or soft sounds when tapped with the spoon.
Horn Playing- Toot out songs and march around.
Fine Motor Skills
If you are interested in learning more about sensory bins, you can check out the bins I have pinned on my Sensory Bin Pinterest board.
Lisa @ Two Bears Farm says
I think my twins would enjoy this activity.
Mama to 4 says
HOW FUN! I THOUGHT ABOUT DOING ONE FOR NEW YEARS MYSELF BUT I COULDN’T THINK OF WHAT TO PUT IN IT! GREAT ITEMS! LOVE IT!
amy2blessings says
That looks like fun for your children. I need to go to the dollar store to get some items.
Just Short says
What a fun and inexpensive way to encourage learning in small children! Thanks for sharing.
Melissa Pezza says
I love that you do ideas with sensory! That is just too cool and a creative way to get your kids to learn!
shelly says
That’s lots of fun! But did he drive you nuts with those horns??
MikiHope says
Before I started reading-I noticed those glasses too!! Haven’t worn those in a whole lot of years! I love that you are allowing your son to learn this way–and you are correct–the simplest items often prove to be the best teachers!
Mudpiesandtiaras says
You are on the ball! I forget the new year is coming. LOL!
Kelly @ A Girl Worth Saving says
What an awesome idea and perfect for my budget. My son is younger than yours and I just gave him a bunch of cotton balls to play with. What a fun mess.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
Who knew there were SO many possibilities for that collection?
Raising a Happy Child says
In principle my daughter is too old for sensory beans, but she loves her odds-and-ends box that I reshuffle occasionally to supply new motives for her play. Fun bin for a New Year!
Trisha @ Inspiration Laboratories says
Great sensory bin! I think I will put one together for my son.
TerinAleah says
Your children must have so much fun with you!! 🙂
Vanessa says
What a great idea!! I love that it is stuff that you have around your house!
Kim Croisant says
Great activity for every family member!
Danielle Royalegacy says
I think this is a great activity for a little one. My kids would have had these all over the house. My kids would have used all these items for make believe stories. I can see the horn to summon a battle, and the rubber bands to shoot down the cookie cutter soldiers.
~ Noelle says
thanks for telling us what all is in there, really helps if we want to make one 🙂
OneMommy says
The few times I’ve done a sensory box my kids have loved it. What a fun idea to do one for New Year’s!
Deb Chitwood says
Wonderful ideas for a sensory bin! And I love your extensions for learning! I featured your post and photo in my Montessori-Inspired Activities for the New Year at http://livingmontessorinow.com/2012/12/31/montessori-monday-montessori-inspired-activities-for-new-year/
Isil Simsek says
Great tray! My kids would love this!
Carrie says
What a great sensory bin!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!