Sensory bins are a great way for your child to practice many skills including fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, and visual skills. Sensory bins are also a great way to facilitate self-regulation for children who seek out tactile and proprioceptive input. For children who are more aversive to messy play or are picky eaters, this can be a great way to introduce new textures or different foods in a safe and comfortable environment! 

Supplies: 

• Easter Eggs

• Dyed Rice (See directions below)

• Fine Motor Manipulatives

  • These can be anything motivating to your child! Examples include: animal figurines, coins, letters, gems, and toy foods. Just make sure that they can fit inside your Easter eggs! 

• A large bin

To dye your rice: 

Add a few drops of food coloring of your choice to a gallon Ziplock bag and mix with 1 table spoon of rubbing alcohol. Add in 1 cup of rice and shake in bag until the rice is colored to your liking. Allow to dry on a baking pan lined with parchment paper. 

Play Ideas: 

1) Let your child lead and explore making their own game!

2) Have your child open and close the eggs. Hide the toy manipulatives in the sand as "buried treasure".

3) Use the eggs to scoop and pour the rice. 

4) Fill the eggs with rice to make maracas and engage in some music fun!