Hands-On Spider Sensory Bin {Fine Motor Fun!}

Inside: This spider sensory bin is a fun way to work on toddler and preschool fine motor skills while dropping spiders down the water spout. A fun addition to your fall theme!

Exploring spiders is a fun part of our fall theme with both our toddlers and preschoolers.

While planning our spider web painting activity, I thought of a fun way to add spiders to our sensory bin.

Dyed rice, pretend spiders, and a water spout!

After singing one of our favorite songs, Itsy Bitsy Spider, the children had fun dropping the spiders down the water spout rather than up.

There was lots of scooping and dumping rice, too.

A fun way to work on those fine motor skills!

Hands-On Spider Sensory Bin {Fine Motor Fun!}

The inspiration for this activity started when I was at Home Depot with my husband. I was quite bored, to be honest. I can’t even recall what he was looking for.

But then I saw a collection of rain gutters and downspouts.

I love rain gutters for school-related activities.

About 18 years ago I went to a Bev Bos workshop where she showed how to use them as ramps for water and sand.

I purchased one, had my husband sawed them into two shorter pieces, and we’ve been using them indoors and out for years.

So when I noticed the downspouts, I got to thinking about how fun it would be for the children to pour things down it.

I found the connecting end piece and attached it, creating a very short version of what we have on our house.

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Recently our children have loved singing the Itsy Bisty Spider, so I put together a circle time activity using props.

Itsy Bitsy Spider Circle Time Activity

• Toddlers
• Preschool

 >>Details and Props Here

And idea came to me to turn our sensory bin into an Itsy Bitsy Spider activity, having the spiders go DOWN the water spout.

Setting it Up

I took a large window block and taped the spout to it for stability.

Easy, right?

I then filled the bin with:

• Dyed rice (instructions in this post)
• Small pretend spiders
• Scoops and cups

Note: use larger spiders if you are concerned about choking.

How this Spider Sensory Bin Works

Because I wanted to connect this spider sensory bin to the Itsy Bitsy Spider, we first sang the song during circle time.

I then introduced this sensory bin, showing them how the rice and spiders could be scooped, transferred, and dropped into the opening of the spout.

They were immediately engaged because it was meaningful.

They connected it to the song we just sang and wanted to pretend their spiders were falling down the spout.

They then took the spiders and had them crawl UP the waterspout, just like in the song.

Such a fun way to connect music to another activity!

Strengthening the Hands and Fingers

Every time the rice and spiders are scooped up using the fingers or provided containers, the hands and fingers are being strengthened.

This is one of the several reasons I love having a sensory bin in the classroom.

It takes great concentration to scoop and pour, especially when they are aiming at something specific. In this case, it is the top of the water spout.

Working Together

Since the sensory bin is an area with multiple children, this is a great way for them to learn how to share space and materials.

Also, because conversations are often taking place, communication skills are being built.