The month of autumn is full of rich sensory experiences for anyone who is paying attention. From the scents of pumpkin to crisp leaves to the smell of raindrops and dew in the morning, fall is certainly a great month to engage your senses. Of course, your preschooler might need a little more help to engage their senses, so we have created this great list of October sensory bin ideas for the autumn months. Use one at a time or go big and let your little one explore their senses as they learn about the new season.
Harvest Sensory Bin
The harvest October sensory bin provides plenty of tactile input while also serving as an extremely satisfying visual representation of fall. Fill the bin with neutral tan/brown pony beads and then complement it with pom poms that match the shades of fall leaves. Add in a few miniature gourds in various colors and a few scoops for the perfect experience.
Sunflower Fun
Nothing says fall more than bright, yellow sunflowers, but since you can’t fit dozens of sunflowers into a shoe box, opt for the next best thing and fill it with sunflower seeds. Add a few colorful plastic leaves for contrast, along with a few fake pinecones. For an added sensory effect, choose scented pinecones to complement the fall experience, which is easy to find throughout October.
Wood Chip Bin
While real wood chips may be out of the question, cornflakes or granola make a great stand-in that offers a friendly smell and a realistic sensation for kids to dig their hands into. Add a few fake (or real pinecones) to the October sensory bin and place some ladles and scoops in the bin for some fun.
Corn Bin
Without a doubt, one of the most exciting parts of a pumpkin patch is the corn pit. Bring a bit of the pumpkin patch into your classroom by filling a tub with dried corn. A few small sand toys is all you need to make this one of the most popular sensory bins in the classroom.
Apple Bin
Finally, if you want a cheap and easy bin, stick with the traditional rice sensory bin but add plastic miniature apples to create an orchard theme. Dollar stores are great places to find cheap small apples, but you can also head to craft stores and look for plastic pony beads for an economical option. While there, you might also look at some plastic leaves that you can add to the apple bin or any of the other October sensory bins mentioned above. There is never a bad time to add some plastic leaves!
