14 Awesome Winter Sensory Bins for Toddlers

Are you in need of some fun winter sensory bins for your toddlers? Check out these winter sensory bin ideas to keep your little ones busy all winter long!

Winter sensory bins are a great way to engage your child’s senses while also providing them with an opportunity to explore and learn about the world around them.

In this winter sensory bin guide, it will cover everything you need to know about creating the perfect winter sensory bin that your child will love, whether you want them for a learning activity or just for some fun winter sensory activities for toddlers.

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Best Materials for Winter Sensory Bins

If you are wondering how to make a sensory box for toddlers with a winter themed, here are some materials to include in your DIY sensory bin table.

Of course, first you will want to either have a sensory tray or a sensory table. We have used both and love either one.

Here are some of the materials you might want to have on hand at home for your winter themed sensory bins:

• Cotton balls
• Real snow
• Pretend snow
• Yarn
• Sand
• Jello
• Rice (learn how to make rainbow rice)
• Polar Bears and penguins
• Snowman
• Pom poms
• Pipe cleaners
• Scoops and tweezers
• Snowflakes
• Pinecones
• Pine needles

Once you have a few of these sensory bin materials, it is super easy to make your own DIY winter sensory bin!

Tips for Creating a Successful Winter Sensory Bin

Here are a few tips for your winter sensory activity:

• Use a variety of sensory materials to keep your child engaged.
• Keep the bin in a dedicated area to avoid mess and ensure that your child can play with it independently.
• Encourage your child to use descriptive language to describe what they’re experiencing to encourage a learning experience.
• Switch up the sensory materials every so often to encourage your toddler to play with a variety of sensory materials!
• Don’t overfill your sensory try, only add a few items in at a time so you don’t overwhelm your little one.
• While it may seem fun to you to have a theme and have the sensory bin played with a certain way, it is not always the case for your child. Don’t get upset if they play with it a different way than what you had imagined.

Best DIY Winter Sensory Bins for Toddlers

Here are some of the best toddler winter activities! Use these as December or January sensory bin ideas and watch as your kids learn all about winter!

Polar Bear Rice Sensory Bin

This polar bear sensory bin uses dyed rice to create such a fun winter sensory bin for toddlers!

It also has a little cup, scoop, snowflakes, jewels, pom poms, and polar bears, perfect for a winter counting experience for your older toddlers.

This is definitely one of the cutest winter sensory table ideas I’ve found!

Winter Pom Pom Sensory Bin

With this winter sensory bin, you will need pom poms, yarn, pipe cleaners, and you will have a sensory play for little ones that is unique and so much fun!

It is one of the winter non food sensory bins ideas that are great for older toddlers who don’t need taste safe options.

Snowflake Soup

Need a super easy sensory bin idea one day? Try out this snowflake soup!

It is one of the top water sensory bins that only needs water, and a few snowflakes.

I think it is one of the best winter sensory activities for babies, since it is just water! Be sure to watch them and interact as needed.

Make sure if you are doing this activity in the winter, to have the water be a little warm so your little one doesn’t get sick.

Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin

A hot cocoa sensory bin is so much fun for your little ones! It is absolutely taste-safe and uses cocoa powder, corn starch, even marshmallows if you have them.

Your toddler will love playing with this bin! Make sure to make some hot chocolate afterward too!

Artic Polar Bear Sensory Bin

With this polar bear sensory play, keep things simple and don’t dye the rice! You will just need some cotton balls and polar bear figurines to enjoy.

This is another one of the easy winter sensory bin ideas for 1 year olds to enjoy all day long!  

Iceberg Sensory Bin

If you need a taste-safe sensory bin, try out this iceberg one! It uses gelatin, milk, and water to create a fun polar bear play your toddlers will love.

It is one of the sensory bins for 2 year olds to enjoy as their minds go crazy with all the creative fun play.

Plus, it is an easy sensory table fake snow idea too!

Winter Forest Sensory Bin

This winter forest sensory bin is unique and uses fake trees, cotton balls, and pom poms for a fun experience.

You can replace the fake trees for pinecones and pine needles from your backyard too for a more nature experience.

It would be a great one for January or February as it doesn’t revolve around Christmas.

Mitten Sensory Bin

Do you have the Mitten book? If so, read it to your little ones and then let them enjoy this mitten sensory bin! It is the perfect way to start your homeschool day.

Sensory play with a reading opportunity is perfect for your toddlers to learn, explore, and have fun during the process!

Snowman Sensory Bin

You will definitely need to try out this fun snowman sensory bin! This simple snowman sensory play involves rice, cotton balls, pinecones, snowflakes, and some wooden snowmen!

It’s one of the easy winter sensory crafts you can do time and time again because you probably already have everything at your home!

Best Winter Sensory Bins to Buy

If you don’t have the time to create your own DIY winter sensory bins for toddlers, here are a few great winter sensory kits for toddlers to buy!

Polar Animal Sensory Bin Kit

With this one from Amazon, you get an inflatable container, filled with blue water beads and snow, along with tons of winter animals, such as polar bears, seals, and polar bears.

It is a fun penguin sensory bin idea! 

Arctic Animals Winter Play Dough Sensory Box

This winter sensory box is unlike the other sensory boxes mentioned above, because this uses playdough!

There are tons of fun sensory materials so your kids can have tons of fun with this kit, again and again!

Because it is playdough, it can be kept and used over and over, making it a great investment for your toddler sensory play.

Occupational Therapy Winter Sensory Bin

Create a nice winter wonderland sensory bin with this kit! It has a custom resin ocean, moldable playdough, figurines, and so much more.

Because it comes with absolutely everything, including a sensory tray, it is the best winter sensory bin to buy!

Taste Safe Winter Montessori Bin

If you need a taste-safe snow sensory bin, try out this one. It includes colored rice, some scoops, and a few winter themed items to create a Montessori bin your toddler will love to explore.

It does have some winter themed erasers, which are not taste-safe, but everything else included is!

Frozen Winter Ice Themed Sensory Box

This is another one of the cool sensory box for kids! This frozen winter sensory bin will create hours of fun for your children.

While it does not provide everything you’ll need for a sensory bin, all you need to do is add some yarn, rice, or other sensory fillers and you are all set!

Winter Sensory Bins FAQs

Best Winter Sensory Bins Wrap-Up

These are just some of the best winter sensory activities for preschoolers and toddlers I’ve found.

Winter sensory bins are a fun and educational way to engage your child’s senses and encourage their development.

You can create the perfect winter sensory bin that your child will love with any of these DIY sensory bin ideas or pre-made ones.

Don’t forget to switch up the materials and encourage your child to use descriptive language to keep the experience fresh and engaging.

For more sensory bin ideas, try a space sensory bin or rainbow sensory bin!