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Preschool Sensory Toddlers

Insect Sensory Bin

An insect sensory bin is a great way to explore and learn about bugs from the comfort of your home. In this simple sensory bin I used black beans for the base, then added in plastic insects and bug hunter tools such as a net, magnifying glass, and magnified bug container. 

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An Insect Sensory Bin with 3 Ways to Play is the perfect way to introduce toddlers to different bugs! | Stir the Wonder

Insect Sensory Bin

Materials Needed for Insect Sensory Bin

  • Black beans
  • Bug Hunter Tools (Ours are from Dollar Tree)
  • Safari Ltd Insect Toob

Insect Sensory Bin | Stir the Wonder

Caden loved just playing with the insects and black beans in the bin. As he explored the black beans he put some in a small container, added some to the bug net and explored how the beans will hop on the ground when he pushes down on them with his finger. We also explore the insect sensory bin with some extension activities. 

Playing with bug bin

Extension Activities

To encourage more learning with the sensory bin we did a couple of extension activities. The first activity we did with the insect sensory bin is very simple. While Caden played with the beans and bugs I read a nonfiction book about different types of insects. Then we would search the sensory bin to see if we had a plastic version of that bug and we would match the bug to the pictures in the book.

Bug Book Match

The second activity is a sensory matching game. I printed out a vocabulary card with different pictures of insects from 1+1+1=1. We then dug in the sensory bin to find the bugs that matched the pictures. Fantastic Fun & Learning has a great post with a long list of sensory bin extension activities. You should definitely check it out!

Bug Match Up

For more wonderful insect and bug activities check out my Pinterest board.

Follow Samantha @Stir the Wonder’s board Insect Theme on Pinterest.

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14 Comments

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Comments

  1. Katie @ Gift of Curiosity says

    February 5, 2013 at 10:08 am

    This is great! I love your extension activities. Pinning now!

    Reply
    • Samantha says

      February 5, 2013 at 2:20 pm

      Thanks!

      Reply
  2. Amy @ Wildflower Ramblings says

    February 8, 2013 at 9:01 pm

    I love this bin!!! I think the black beans just look so great 🙂 I will have to get those Toobs.

    Reply
  3. Beth says

    February 12, 2013 at 6:33 am

    Very cool insect sensory bin – we made one like this a while back when we were studying bugs and my kid still play with it =)

    Thanks for sharing and linking up to TGIF =-)

    Have a great week!

    Beth

    Reply
  4. Emma @ P is for Preschooler says

    March 12, 2014 at 11:42 am

    The black beans make a great base for the sensory bin. I love the extension activities too!

    Reply
  5. Amy Greene says

    April 29, 2014 at 12:18 pm

    What a wonderful idea! Boys just love bugs. Thanks so much for sharing at Mom’s Library this week. You are featured at Pounds4Pennies. I look forward to your posts for this week!

    Reply
  6. Suzie's Home Education Ideas says

    February 9, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    I love your activity ideas! What a great hands-on way to learn about bugs. Thanks for sharing your post on my facebook page.

    Reply
  7. Hill says

    July 2, 2018 at 9:46 am

    Hi! My 4 yr old son is terrified of bugs. I thought maybe using this sensory bin might be a good, non-frightening way to expose him to bugs in a safe environment and learn more about them, in hopes he might feel more comfortable around them. I really like the bug book you have pictured above. May I have the title and author name to it? I can’t seem to figure out which book it is! Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Summer Fun for Toddlers | Stir The Wonder says:
    May 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm

    […] Then I created the original Insect Sensory Bin. […]

    Reply
  2. Top 10 Pretend Play Toys for Toddler Boys | Stir The Wonder says:
    December 3, 2013 at 6:01 am

    […] are also great for setting up a small world scene to play with or to add to a sensory bin like this Insect Sensory Bin or this Ocean Sensory […]

    Reply
  3. Budget Friendly Spring Activities says:
    April 22, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    […] the website of Stir the Wonder for more Sensory Bin […]

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  4. Fun Spring Activities for Kids When it Rains says:
    April 29, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    […] Insect Sensory Bin brought to you by Stir the Wonder […]

    Reply
  5. Sensory Bin 101 - Enchanted Homeschooling Mom - Enchanted Homeschooling Mom says:
    June 23, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    […] Insect Sensory Bin by Stir the Wonder […]

    Reply
  6. Bugs & Insects | Your Little Darlings says:
    July 13, 2014 at 9:28 pm

    […] Insect Sensory Bin – Stir The Wonder […]

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