Easy DIY Princess Sensory Bin for Toddlers

Learn how to easily set up this cute princess sensory bin for toddlers! You’ll learn how to dye dried beans for this sensory kit for your kids who love all things royalty!

Do you have a toddler who loves all things princess? Then you will love to make this princess sensory play set up!

I try to create as many sensory bin ideas as possible because you never know what your child will like to play with.

For this princess sensory play idea, I used beans and dyed them with paint, which was a lot easier than I anticipated!

Here is how to set up a princess themed sensory bin like the one I created, how to dye dried beans, and other fun princess sensory play ideas for your kids to enjoy!

Benefits of Sensory Bin Play

Sensory play is more than just fun; it’s a crucial aspect of early childhood development.

As toddlers dive into sensory bins, they engage their senses in a multitude of ways, laying the foundation for various skills and abilities they will need for school and the future.

Pin This Post For Later:

Here are some of the best benefits of sensory bin play:

1. Sensory Stimulation: Sensory bins provide rich opportunities for tactile, visual, auditory, and sometimes even olfactory stimulation.
   
   By manipulating different materials, toddlers sharpen their sensory awareness and learn about textures, colors, and sounds.
   
2. Fine Motor Development: Scooping, pouring, grasping, and manipulating small objects in a sensory bin help strengthen toddlers’ fine motor skills.
   
   These activities enhance hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and control—a foundation for later skills like writing and self-care tasks.
   
3. Cognitive Growth: Sensory play encourages problem-solving, experimentation, and exploration.
   
   As toddlers engage with the materials in the bin, they learn through trial and error, fostering cognitive skills such as critical thinking, spatial awareness, and cause-and-effect reasoning.
   
4. Language and Communication: Sensory experiences provide opportunities for toddlers to express themselves verbally and non-verbally.
   
   As they engage in imaginative play and describe their sensory discoveries, they expand their vocabulary, practice communication skills, and develop narrative abilities.
   
5. Emotional Regulation: Sensory play can have a calming effect on toddlers, helping them regulate their emotions and reduce stress or anxiety.
   
   It provides a safe space for self-expression and exploration, promoting emotional resilience and well-being.
   
6. Social Interaction: Sensory bins can be enjoyed individually or with friends, fostering social skills such as sharing, taking turns, and cooperative play.
   
   Joint exploration of sensory materials encourages communication, collaboration, and even empathy among toddlers.

Some of these links are affiliate links meaning if you purchase from these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Everything I share is my own opinions and things I personally use and love. You can learn more by reviewing my disclosure. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

DIY Princess Sensory Bin

Materials Needed

• Sensory bin
• 24 ounces of dried Great Northern beans
• Acrylic paint – light pink, dark pink, white and purple
• 4 sandwich-size Ziplock bags
• Wax paper
• Cooking sheet
• Scoops
• Tongs

Instructions

Separate the white beans evenly into the zip lock bags. It will be about 1 cup per bag.

One bag at a time add a squirt of paint. Seal the bag, roll, and shake the dried beans to
get them coated with paint. Continue until all 4 baggies of dried beans are painted.

Carefully pour each bag of painted beans out into a single layer of the wax paper on your cooking sheet.

Allow the painted dried beans to air dry for about 6-8 hours or overnight.

Add in your princess toys and enjoy!

Store in a large resealable Ziplock baggie.

Tips and Tricks

Creating a Princess Sensory Bin is just the beginning of the enchantment. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure that your little ones have a royally delightful experience:

1. Rotate the Sensory Materials: Keep the magic alive by rotating the sensory materials in your bin. Introduce new textures, colors, or accessories periodically to keep the play experience fresh and engaging.
   
2. Add a Touch of Magic: Enhance the sensory experience by incorporating additional elements of magic and wonder. Consider adding scented oils for a delightful aroma, glow-in-the-dark stars for nighttime adventures, or small LED lights to create a twinkling fairy tale ambiance.
   
3. Encourage Open-Ended Play: Foster creativity and imagination by allowing your toddler to take the lead in playtime. Resist the urge to direct their actions or narratives, and instead, let them explore the sensory bin freely and invent their own magical stories.
   
4. Provide Tools for Exploration: Offer a variety of tools and utensils for scooping, pouring, and manipulating the sensory materials. This not only enhances fine motor skills but also encourages experimentation and sensory discovery.
   
5. Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment: Designate a quiet, comfortable space for sensory play where distractions are minimal. Dim the lights, play soft music or nature sounds, and remove unnecessary clutter to create a soothing atmosphere for a nice calming activity for your toddler.
   
6. Join in the Fun: Don’t be afraid to join your toddler in the sensory adventure! Participating in playtime not only strengthens your bond but also provides valuable opportunities for modeling language, social skills, and creative expression.
   
7. Extend the Learning: Capitalize on the sensory experiences to extend learning beyond the sensory bin. Ask open-ended questions, introduce new vocabulary words related to the princess theme, and encourage storytelling and role-playing activities to promote language development and cognitive skills.
   
8. Embrace Messy Play: Sensory exploration can get messy—and that’s perfectly okay! Embrace the mess and encourage your toddler to engage in hands-on, exploratory play without worrying about keeping everything neat and tidy. Remember, it’s all part of the sensory experience!

By incorporating these tips and tricks into your Princess Sensory Bin adventures, you’ll ensure that every playtime is filled with magic, wonder, and endless opportunities for learning and growth.

Other Princess Sensory Play Ideas

Here are some other fun sensory play ideas to spark your toddler’s imagination:

1. Royal Treasure Hunt: Hide small treasures (e.g., fake jewels, shiny coins) within the sensory filler and invite your little princess or prince to embark on a treasure hunt.
   
2. Magical Sorting: Provide cups or containers for sorting and encourage your toddler to categorize the princess-themed items by color, size, or type.
   
3. Castle Construction: Use building blocks or cardboard tubes to create majestic castles within the sensory bin. Let your toddler’s creativity soar as they design and build their own royal fortress.
   
4. Fairy Tale Storytelling: Encourage imaginative play by narrating or acting out fairy tales with the princess figurines. Invite your toddler to join in and create their own magical stories.
   
5. Royal Tea Party: Set up a miniature tea party within the sensory bin, complete with tiny cups, saucers, and pretend treats. Your little ones can host their own royal gathering fit for a princess.

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

Princess Sensory Play Wrap-Up

Now you know how to easily make a DIY princess sensory bin for your kids!

Through sensory exploration and imaginative play, your toddler will embark on magical adventures, building cognitive skills, fostering creativity, and creating cherished memories along the way.

So gather your little princes and princesses, and embark on a sensory journey fit for royalty!

Check out these other sensory bin ideas: