An Autumn Sensory Bin offers hours of hands-on sensory play and exploration for toddlers and preschoolers.
Summer is winding down, and with it comes a wonderful shift in the colours and textures around us. I’m already excited about fall crafting and the many outdoor activities we can enjoy in the yard.
Autumn brings so many rich materials for children to explore: red apples, amber gems, sunflowers, nuts, leaves, and lentils. These elements invite little hands to feel, sort, scoop, and imagine.
Recently I gathered all the fall-coloured items I could find around the house and made a quick trip to the dollar store for a few extras. The whole project cost me about $6.00, and it created a lovely, inviting bin for play.
What I appreciate most about sensory bins is how many of the components are everyday items I already had or found at thrift shops and saved for activities. At the dollar store I picked up amber “jewels,” artificial leaves and small pumpkins, decorative balls, and a few butterfly ornaments.
I filled the base of the bin with mixed lentils bought earlier from the bulk section, and I repurposed small apple ornaments from a box of decorations. Small containers, scoops, and a scented candle (a caramel-scented brown candle in my case) add sensory variety—sight, touch, sound and even smell.
I added wooden buttons and faux flowers, and then went outside to collect pine cones and cut a few bull-rush stems from the pond. Natural materials like these deepen the sensory experience and connect children to the season.
Once the bin was assembled, I placed scoops and tongs nearby so children can grasp and transfer items. I’ll also set out jars for filling and sorting when the Hooligans arrive Monday morning. It’s always a joy to watch their faces light up when they discover a new sensory setup.
More Fall Activities for Kids:
November Sensory Bin
Roadways in the Leaves
Fall Leaf Maze
Leaf Slide