Frog and Turtle Sensory Bin
Creating a Frog & Turtle Sensory Bin has been a wonderful addition to our summer play time. Themed sensory bins create learning experiences in literacy, mathematics, and the sciences! Water play is a fun way for toddlers and preschoolers to keep busy — it also helps them to use fine and gross motor skills and learn through their senses!
Our Frog and Turtle Sensory Bin is a fun way to bring science learning into the homeschool for the littlest children.
Frogs and turtles are in abundance during the summer, so this is a great opportunity to use words like “reptile” and “amphibian” while keeping their learning playful and fun. You could get creative and create life cycles for either a turtle or frog to adapt this small world play for older children.
Sensory play can enhance speaking and listening skills for toddlers!
Speaking: Ask your child what he feels and thinks. I ask him what he likes about it, what he feels, what he thinks. Continue asking questions about their experiences, expanding on their answers, even if they are inaudible.
Listening: Listen to what they have to say about the experience. Listen for new sounds or words in their vocabulary — words and noises that come with play time! Encourage this language building time by sitting down and listening.
What is a sensory bin?
A sensory bin is an invitation for children to play and imagine and explore!
You can easily make a sensory bin with items already in your house. If you decide to buy a few things, you should be able to find some items that are inexpensive.
Steps to make a sensory bin:
- Find a bin.
- Add a sensory base (beans, rice, lentils, water, snow, dirt, corn, etc.). Here, we used water!
- Add themed objects such as small world animals.
- Add in measuring cups, spoons, funnels, tongs, scoops, and other practical life items to help with fine motor skills.
- Place the sensory bin in a safe place–on the floor over a sheet or towels, or outside!
And let them play without guidance (but definitely with supervision!)
Our Frog & Turtle Sensory Bin: what’s included?
- Bin (ours is from Ikea)
- Water
- Greenery found in the fish tank department
- Shiny stones (big enough for my 21 month old to play with, though supervision is a must!)
- Frog & Turtle Toobs (or you can also find these items at a Dollar Store!)
I let my son fill our bin, which he felt very proud of. I provided the items in a smaller bin, but we also had our little backyard pool out too.
My son began counting the stones. My daughter began transferring the stones to our pool nearby.
A rare moment of sibling friendship.
My daughter (21 months) played with the rocks and animals for at least an hour. It was a hot day, so they both loved playing with the water.
A great opportunity to talk about frogs and turtles, while having fun in the sun!
Want more Frog ideas?
- Montessori-inspired frog activities
- Frog life cycle journal {free printable}
- Sticky tongue frog craft
- Five Green Frogs {free music printable}
More Turtle ideas?
- Montessori-inspired turtle activities
- Make a felt turtle {free printable}
- Egg carton turtle craft
- Sea turtle paper craft {free printable}
Creating small worlds such as ours is a fun and engaging way to keep learning fun. I hope you try a Frog & Turtle Sensory Bin for your big and little ones!
What small world sensory play does your child enjoy? Do you find that your child learns through sensory play time?
