Inside: Here’s an easy farm sensory bin for preschoolers that involves lots of scooping and pouring – a perfect fall fine motor activity!
Whatever they find, they want to dump.
This is what young children do, but I admit it can be a challenge. Just after I set something up, it gets knocked down, carried away, dumped on the floor.
And while it can be frustrating, I know better. Having taught this age group for so long, after reading so many different articles about why they insist on dumping, I know they are not doing this to make life harder on adults.
And so, my friends, I have discovered how to redirect these busy little humans to a place where it is okay to dump. To pour. To spill.
What I’m going to share with you today is part of our farm theme, but it can be used with any theme, with many different types of materials.
Easy Farm Sensory Bin for Preschoolers
This farm sensory bin was part of our farm theme. Watch the video below to see how we set up our entire toddler and preschool classroom for this theme:
Notice I have included the word easy. That’s because I like easy. I need easy. And I suspect I’m not alone.
And I’ve found over the years that toddlers and preschoolers like simple sensory bin ideas. While they might enjoy the different props we put into the sensory bin, what they really love is the filler – the main ingredient – and what we’ve provided for them to scoop and pour those ingredients.
They want to scoop. They want to pour.
What you will need for this easy farm sensory bin:
- Corn kernels
- Farm animals
- Any other small farm toys you might have (although not necessary)
- Scoops
- Cups
How to set up this farm sensory bin:
- Pour the corn kernels into the bin.
- Add farm animals and other materials.
I know – that sounds a bit too easy, right? Exactly.
Before introducing your preschoolers to this farm sensory bin, get them acquainted with farm animals. We love to sing Old MacDonald Had a Farm while also reading some fun farm books.
You also might want to have some farm painting going on at the art table.
Oh, and you simply must let your preschoolers experience painting muddy pigs. In plastic bags! (Seriously, this was SO much fun!)
Once you invite your preschoolers to explore this farm sensory bin, stand back and observe. And if they start dumping stuff in other areas of the classroom, redirect them to this bin.
“The puzzle pieces need to stay on the table, but you are welcome to pour corn kernels in the sensory bin.”
You’ve offered them a way to continue dumping, in an area that is more contained.
How do you handle dumping materials in your preschool classroom? Make sure to join our Facebook community where lots of ideas are shared!
🐴 Planning your farm theme? We’ve done the work for you! 👩🏼🌾
We have toddler (18-36 months) AND preschool (3-5 years) farm themed lesson plans!
Explore a variety of hands-on activities!
Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Comes with recommended reading lists, songs, material lists and more!
Click on the photos below for more information about each one:
