Penguin Sensory Bin
Looking for a fun indoor winter activity? Create a Penguin Sensory Bin! Kids love exploring the textures, arranging icebergs, and learning about penguins.
Materials
For Blue Rice
- White rice
- Blue food coloring
- Vinegar
For Sensory Bin
- A plastic bin or container
- White cotton balls to mimic snow
- Small plastic penguin toys
- Clear gems
- Styrofoam
Instructions
Make the blue rice
- Put a cup of white rice in a zip-top bag. Add a tablespoon of vinegar and a few drops of blue food coloring. Seal it up and give it a good shake until the rice is fully coated.
- Spread the rice out on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or wax paper and let it dry. It should take about an hour or so to dry completely.
Setting up sensory bin
- Pour the blue-tinted rice into a container to symbolize the ocean.
- Cut the Styrofoam and arrange the pieces on the rice so they look like floating glaciers.
- Sprinkle some cotton balls around to look like fluffy snow.
- Toss in the clear gems to act as little chunks of ice floating in the water.
- Add small plastic penguin toys and watch kids have fun with this bin!
Video
Notes
- To simplify cleanup, lay a sheet or mat beneath the bin to catch any scattered rice or gems.
- Always supervise young children, as small items like gems can be a choking hazard.
- For extra fun, consider including small scoops or spoons to enhance the activity.
