Easy Lavender Sensory Bin for Toddlers
Learn how to set up your own lavender sensory bin for kids! It is SO easy to make and the perfect calming sensory activity toddlers of all ages enjoy.
If you’re looking for a relaxing, screen-free activity that also encourages mindfulness, creativity, and sensory exploration, a Lavender Sensory Bin is the perfect choice!
This simple yet powerful sensory experience uses the soothing scent of lavender to help toddlers relax, focus, and engage in open-ended play.
This is one my kids go back to time and time again. It is the perfect calming sensory activity, packed by powerful research that shows how lavender is so relaxing for all ages.
Here is how the easiest lavender sensory bin recipe to follow and all the mindful ways your toddlers can enjoy this sensory play idea.
Why Lavender Sensory Play is Amazing for Toddlers
Here are just a few of the many benefits of this lavender sensory play:
🌿 Naturally Calming – The gentle scent of lavender promotes relaxation and can help with big emotions, bedtime wind-down, and sensory regulation.
🖐️ Encourages Hands-On Exploration – Feeling different textures enhances fine motor skills, coordination, and curiosity.
🎨 Supports Creativity – There’s no right or wrong way to play! Sensory bins inspire imaginative storytelling, pretend play, and independent learning. My kids love playing lavender lemonade stand!
🧘 Mindfulness for Little Ones – Engaging the senses in a focused way helps toddlers slow down, be present, and explore the world around them.
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How to Set Up Lavender Sensory Bin
Here is how to create your own DIY lavender sensory bin for your kids:
Materials
- Lavender flowers
- Lavender essential oil
- Rice
- Ziploc bag
- Bumble bees (optional)
- Purple food dye
- Sensory bins
- Sensory tools
Instructions
Add rice to a Ziploc bag. Add a few drops of purple food dye and mix.
Once you have your desired color, put on a cooking sheet and bake at 220 degrees for 20 minutes, or until it is fully dry. Let cool.
Then add 3 drops of lavender essential oil and mix the rice around.
Add to your sensory bin. Add some lavender flowers and other sensory tools and enjoy!
Notes
- Other sensory tools or figurines can be added to make the bin more fun to play with or more educational.
- I used fresh lavender flowers, but artificial ones work too.
Mindful Play & Learning Ideas
Here are some of my favorite ways to make this calming sensory bin more mindful for little ones:
💜 Breathe & Smell – Encourage deep breathing by having your toddler take slow, mindful inhales of the lavender scent.
💜 Describe the Textures – Ask questions like, “Does the rice feel soft or crunchy?” or “What does the lavender smell like?”
💜 Create a Story – Use small figurines to encourage storytelling and pretend play, building language and imagination skills.
💜 Practice Gentle Movements – Encourage slow, controlled scooping and pouring to promote focus and hand-eye coordination.
💜Scooping and Pouring – Provide scoops, small cups, or funnels for your toddler to transfer materials, fostering motor skills and concentration.
💜Counting and Sorting – Encourage sorting lavender buds, pebbles, or other items by size, color, or texture.
💜 Imaginative Scenarios – Toddlers can pretend to create lavender “tea” or a relaxing “bath” for their toys.
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More Ways to Customize the Bin!
🌸 Add Silk Flowers – Introduce different colors and textures.
🔮 Use Purple Water Beads – For a squishy, cool sensory experience.
🎶 Play Calming Music – Enhance relaxation with soft instrumental sounds or nature melodies.
If you love making sensory bins and bottles for your toddlers, you will love all these sensory play ideas!
Final Thoughts
A Lavender Sensory Bin is more than just a fun activity—it’s a calming, mindful experience that helps toddlers explore, create, and self-regulate.
Whether used as a bedtime wind-down tool or a midday sensory break, this bin offers endless opportunities for learning through play.
Check out these other sensory bin ideas:
