DIY Penguin Sensory Bin

Check out this super fun DIY penguin sensory bin you can make for your kids! This was so much fun for our kids, so I knew I had to share so you can make this Christmas sensory bin too.

Introduce your little ones to the wonders of winter with a fun, hands-on activity: a DIY Penguin Sensory Bin.

This themed sensory bin, filled with penguin figurines, blue dyed rice, white Styrofoam, clear gems, and cotton balls, provides an engaging way for toddlers to explore textures and build fine motor skills.

My kids loved this sensory bin, just like they were with the artic sensory bin we did a few weeks ago for winter sensory play.

Here’s how to set it up so you can bring the magic to this holiday season!

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Materials You’ll Need for Penguin Sensory Bin

• Blue colored rice: Creates an icy, ocean-like base that is visually appealing and provides a fun, textured surface.
  
• White Styrofoam: Mimics chunks of ice or snowy terrain, adding to the winter theme.
  
• Clear gems: Represent ice or frozen water, giving a realistic touch to the bin.
  
• Cotton balls: Simulate snow, soft to the touch and fun for building small snow piles or cozy areas for penguins.
  
• Penguin figures: Spark creative play as children build stories and engage with these adorable figures.

How to Set Up Your Penguin Sensory Bin

I made this with adding some blue paint and silver glitter to white rice in a bag, shaking it up and then letting it dry on a cookie sheet.

Then I cut this into smaller pieces than the original piece I had using a knife. These represent ice bergs.

Then add it up all together in a sensory bin!

Benefits of the Penguin Sensory Bin

Here are some of the benefits your toddler gets by simply playing with this sensory bin:

• Fine Motor Skill Enhancement: Handling small penguin figurines, scooping rice, and placing cotton balls helps strengthen fine motor muscles and improve hand-eye coordination.
  
• Stimulates Creativity and Imagination: Toddlers can create their own winter adventures, helping penguins “swim” through rice or “walk” on Styrofoam icebergs.
  
• Sensory Exploration: The combination of rough, smooth, and soft textures enriches the sensory experience, boosting tactile and visual senses.

Tips for Playtime

1. Supervise Play: Ensure that small pieces like clear gems are handled safely.
2. Set the Scene: Place a play mat under the sensory bin for easy cleanup and to create a defined play area.
3. Expand with Storytelling: Encourage toddlers to create a story about their penguin friends’ adventures, adding a literacy and language development aspect.

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If you love making sensory bins and bottles for your toddlers, you will love all these sensory play ideas!

Final Thoughts

This DIY Penguin Sensory Bin is an excellent way to keep toddlers engaged while supporting their development through sensory play.

It’s easy to set up and brings a touch of winter magic indoors, so get creating!

Check out these other Christmas activities for toddlers:

• Christmas sensory activities
• Winter sensory activities
• Winter look-and-find sensory bottle
• Calming winter sensory bottle
• Artic animal sensory bin
• Crunchy Christmas slime
• How to make fake snow
• Construction winter sensory bin
• Fine motor Christmas crafts
• Christmas art projects
• Winter STEM activities
• Pipe cleaner icicles
• Christmas sensory bin
• Penguin sensory bin
• Snowball catapult
• Snowman craft
• Shaving Cream Painting
• Christmas tree sensory bottle
• Penguin ice skating sensory activity
• Jingle bell music craft

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