Preschool Sensory Activities: Christmas Bin

Last week I shared J’s (my preschooler) peppermint Christmas sensory bin. Today I will be sharing with you another one of our preschool sensory activities specifically the Christmas Bin.

Also, don’t forget to check out this huge list of Christmas Activities for Kids!

Most preschoolers and toddlers LOVE sensory activities even if they are a bit apprehensive at first. This activity only requires a quick trip to the dollar store or the use of a paper shredder.

christmas preschool sensory activities - christmas bin

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What do you put in a sensory bin for preschoolers?

When it comes to putting together a sensory bin for preschoolers, the possibilities are endless. Some great ideas include using rice, beans, or even water as a base and adding items such as plastic animals, rocks, or pom-poms for exploration.

You can also theme your sensory bin to match a holiday or season like the Christmas Bin I wrote about in this blog post.

My sensory bin is filled with fun holiday-themed items for little ones to explore and engage with making it one of my favorite preschool sensory activities. Not only does it encourage fine motor skills and sensory development, but it also provides a great opportunity to talk about the joys of the holiday season.

The key is to make sure all items are safe for little ones and provide a variety of textures and colors to engage their senses.

Recommended Christmas Books for Kids

Celebrate the holidays and infuse the Christmas spirit into your homeschool with any of these memorable Christmas books.

The Animals’ Christmas Eve (Little Golden Book)The Littlest Christmas Tree Merry Christmas, Stinky Face Bear Stays Up for Christmas (The Bear Books)The Littlest Reindeer Pete the Cat Saves Christmas: Includes Sticker Sheet!

Preschool Sensory Activities: Christmas Bin

The first thing you will need is a large enough container to place all your sensory items in. It could be a basket or even a bowl. We have a few plastic storage bins so I tend to reuse them for my daughter.

Once you have your container, you need to either shred red and green construction paper for the base or hit up your dollar store and grab a pack of Christmas shredded paper. The shredded paper will be your base. You want to place a layer thick enough to cover the entire base of the container that you will be using.

Then you want to grab a few Christmas ornaments and other items that appeal to as many senses as possible. The colored paper addresses visuals and if you have Christmas balls, especially the ones with different textures, as well as a few bells then you are on track. These items will stimulate auditory as well as tactic senses.

Another thing that can be done is adding a few drops of peppermint or citrus or any scent that you have in your house to the bin. Add it to the shredded paper. If you bake every once in a while, you should have some vanilla extract in your cupboard. Trust me it smells fantastic.

Recommended Christmas Craft Kits

Do you want your kids to make some crafts or decorate their own ornaments? How about some pretty snowmen or elves as an inspiration? Grab these Christmas-themed craft kits and feel the spirit of Christmas while being creative with your little one.

Christmas is for Kids Activity Kit (Packaged in carrying case with Stickers, Crayons and Coloring Book)The Treemendous Ornament Decorator – Christmas Tree Ornament Decorating Kit & 6 Pack Ornament Combo Pack – Holiday Arts and Crafts Activity for Kids Ages 3 and Up READY 2 LEARN Christmas Crafts – Create Your Own Bead Elves – DIY Ornaments for Kids – Christmas Tree Decoration – All Materials Included, Blue,Green,Red, Set of 4 Aneco 6 Pack Build Snowman Decorating Kit Christmas Snowman DIY Craft Modeling Clay Making Kit Winter Gift Xmas Toys for Holiday Home Supplies Fun Express Nativity Craft Stick Ornament Craft Kit – Makes 12 – Christmas Crafts for Kids 4E’s Novelty Christmas Snowman Stick Ornament Craft Kit (12 Pack) Bulk Christmas Crafts for Kids Toddlers 2-4 4-8 DIY Winter Arts and Craft Kit Activity Project

What to do with the Christmas Bin?

Once you have your bin all ready, simply invite your preschooler over to have a look. Let them know this is their bin to explore and watch their imaginations run wild.

Also try to play with them as this also helps them to work on their conversational skills and you have the chance to simply spend one-on-one time with your awesome kid.

Homeschooling doesn’t have to be all about bookwork and sitting at a desk. Sensory activities are a great way to mix in some hands-on learning and fun for your little ones.

Whether you’re creating a Christmas Bin or a more generic sensory bin, the benefits for your child’s development are endless. So don’t be afraid to get creative and see where this type of learning takes you and your child!

If you love this simple activity, be sure to see the other preschool sensory activities or fun Christmas activities we have done and will be doing this season.