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Scented Fall Sensory Bin

Sep 23, 201313,296 views
Nature Play
Sensory Activities for Kids: Scented Sensory Bin Save
colorful scented sensory bin Save
toddler smellng the bin Save
improving hand and eye cordination Save
nature block sensory items Save
fall sensory bin with nature block Save

by TurkeyMom in Nature Play

Ages3–6 yrs
Prep10 min
Activity30 min
Leveleasy
MessMedium
Works for1:1 · Small group · Class

Fill a wooden crate with cinnamon and rose potpourri, cinnamon sticks, artificial pumpkins, gourds, acorns and silk fall leaves. Kids touch, smell, scoop and pour, then pick items out to investigate with a magnifying glass.

⚠️ Safety first

  • Potpourri is not food. It is usually treated with fragrance oils, so don't let kids mouth it, and have everyone wash hands after play.
  • Acorns, pods, cinnamon sticks and small artificial pieces are choking hazards. Supervise closely, especially with toddlers who still mouth things.
  • Strong scents can bother kids with fragrance sensitivities or asthma. Choose a milder potpourri or air the bin out first.
  • Some potpourri mixes contain nut shells or seed pods. Check the bag if anyone in the group has nut allergies.
  • Keep potpourri away from eyes; scented dust can irritate.

Before the kids arrive

  • Gather potpourri, cinnamon sticks, artificial pumpkins, gourds, acorns and silk leaves (reuse fall craft supplies if you have them).
  • Check the potpourri ingredients and scent strength for allergies and sensitivities.

Steps

  1. Fill a wooden crate with cinnamon and rose potpourri as the base.

  2. Tuck in cinnamon sticks, artificial pumpkins, gourds, acorns and silk fall leaves.

  3. Let the child explore the large items first. Touch them and describe how they feel.

  4. Smell the cinnamon sticks and the potpourri and talk about the scents.

  5. Scoop and pour the potpourri with tongs and a small bowl.

  6. Pick items out of the bin and set them on a wooden block.

  7. Look at each item through a magnifying glass while you name it, touch it, smell it and talk about it.

Tips

  • If you are lucky you could do this with only natural items. I couldn't, so we went with a few store-bought items.from the author
  • She smelled the cinnamon sticks because she knows they smell good, but she was pleasantly surprised by the potpourri. She loved it!from the author
  • Once the oohs and aahs die down, expect scooping and pouring. It's great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.from the author
  • When your child shows interest in individual items, set them out for further investigation. Our sensory bin turned into a great scientific investigation.from the author
  • Let it be child-led: I set out the same invitation and my 5 year old did a completely different activity all on her own.from the author
  • Use it to label new things. We labeled the acorns.from the author

Make it your own

  • Make a fall sensory bin with a bird seed base instead of potpourri.
  • Offer the same invitation to an older child and let them lead a completely different activity.
  • Build the bin from natural items only.

The story behind it

By TurkeyMom · September 2013
Sensory Activities for Kids: Scented Sensory Bin
Fall has officially begun! It has been a while since we had fun with sensory bins, so we put together this super simple fall themed sensory bin.
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Scented Fall Sensory Bin: the original post

: Simple scented sensory bin for toddlers and up Fall has officially begun! It has been a while since we had fun with sensory bins made specifically made for my now 3 year old. Combine the two and we found ourselves putting together this super simple fall themed sensory bin. I used a wooden crate to fill it up with fun natural and artificial fall goodies. If you are lucky you could do this with only natural items - I couldn’t so we went with a few store bought items.

  • Base - Cinnamon and rose potpourri ( you could stick to fall scents)
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Artifical pumpkins, gourds and acorns
  • Silk fall leaves

colorful scented sensory bin

My 3 year has always enjoyed any kind ofsensory activities, especially colorful sensory bins. [Last year we made fall sensory bin with bird seeds]. As always she started off exploring and touching the large items present in the bin. I had a few artificial pumpkins and gourds we had bought for all the fall activities and crafts. The kid went straight for the pumpkin touching and describing the texture while commenting on the sparkly nature of the pumpkin. We labelled the acorns ( much needed trip to Oak Glen!)

toddler smellng the bin

She smelled the cinnamon sticks because she knows they actually smell good. However she was pleasantly surprised when she smelled the potpourri. SHE LOVED IT! The sensorial experience was amazing. The more I do sensory activities with the kids the more I see and believe in learning through sensory exploration.

exploring the sensory bin

Once all the oohs and aahs died down ( oh she adored the potpourri scents) she started her favorite activity in a sensory bin - scooping and pouring. [ hand-eye coordination and great opportunity to enhance those **fine motor skills]

improving hand and eye cordination

Once she started showing interest in the individual items in the sensory bin, we decided to set them out for further investigation.

nature block sensory items

With a magnifying glass in hand, she picked out the items from the sensory bin and we placed them on a wooden block. We later used to the glass for a fun look-through while labeling the items and further touching, feeling, smelling and talking about them.

fall sensory bin with nature block

Sensory activities turned in to a great scientific investigation activity. This one is a good example of child-led activity. Tomorrow’s post will further prove the power of child-led play. I simply set out the same invitation and my 5 year old did a completely different activity all on her own. Check back soon!

Thanks for reading

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For more sensory activities ideas click on this image

scented sensory bin for kids

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