Christmas Sensory Bin

If you want a fun and engaging way to keep your kids busy this holiday season while sneaking in some learning, try making a Christmas sensory bin.

Are you looking for more ideas this Christmas? Why don’t you try these Christmas activities for kids!

It’s easy to set up, budget-friendly and offers plenty of opportunities for both play and education. Your kids will enjoy the hands-on experience with a festive theme.

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Fun Christmas Facts for Kids

Before kicking off your sensory bin activity, why not share some fun Christmas facts with your kids? It’ll make the sensory play more meaningful and tie it into some holiday learning! Here are a few fun tidbits to share with your kids as they explore their sensory bins:

• Santa Claus has different names around the world. For example, he’s called Kris Kringle in Germany, and in the UK, he’s Father Christmas.
• Candy canes were originally made to keep children quiet during church services. Their “J” shape is said to represent a shepherd’s staff.
• The tradition of decorating Christmas trees started in Germany during the 16th century.
• Jingle Bells was the first song played in space!

For an extra educational twist, add these fun facts to the casual conversation while helping your kids dig into their sensory bin!

Recommended Christmas Books

Embrace the holiday season and bring the joy of Christmas into your home with these delightful stories from the best Christmas books for preschoolers and kindergarteners.

The Animals’ Christmas Eve (Little Golden Book)The Littlest Christmas TreeMerry Christmas, Stinky FaceBear Stays Up for Christmas (The Bear Books)The Littlest ReindeerPete the Cat Saves Christmas: Includes Sticker Sheet!

 

Why is sensory play beneficial for kids?

Sensory play is more than just a fun way to pass the time—it supports childhood development in ways you might not expect. Here’s why sensory bins are great for kids:

• Fine Motor Skills: Picking up small objects like mini bells or bows helps improve little fingers’ dexterity.
• Cognitive Growth: Sorting, categorizing, and experimenting with materials encourage problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Language Development: Talking about textures, colors, and objects boosts vocabulary and conversation skills.
• Calming Effects: Hands-on activities like sensory bins can help regulate emotions and reduce stress for both you and your child!
• Imaginative Play: Sensory bins motivate kids to invent creative scenarios, strengthening their imaginations.

Recommended Christmas Craft Kits

Would you like your kids to create crafts or personalize ornaments? Consider using Christmas-themed craft kits, such as ones for making snowmen or elves. It’s a fun way for you and your little one to express creativity and celebrate the Christmas spirit together.

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 UpREADY 2 LEARN Christmas Crafts – Create Your Own Bead Elves – DIY Ornaments for Kids – Christmas Tree Decoration – All Materials Included, Blue,Green,Red, Set of 4Aneco 6 Pack Build Snowman Decorating Kit Christmas Snowman DIY Craft Modeling Clay Making Kit Winter Gift Xmas Toys for Holiday Home SuppliesFun Express Nativity Craft Stick Ornament Craft Kit – Makes 12 – Christmas Crafts for Kids4E’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

 

How can we make sensory bins more interactive?

Engaging in sensory play doesn’t just stop at giving your kids a sensory bin and letting them have it. Here’s how you can make the activity even more interactive and enriching:

• Add a Story or Scenario: Encourage your child to imagine they are Santa’s elf sorting Christmas presents or bells in Santa’s workshop.
• Ask Open-Ended Questions: “What do you think the mini bows feel like?” “How many bells can you find?”
• Introduce a Sorting Challenge: Use color-coded trays or sorting cups and have your children separate items like bells and bows by color or size.
• Magnetic Play: Include a magnetic wand to “pick up” magnetic items like bells and make it a fun treasure hunt.
• Count and Match: Ask your child to count shapes, colors, or items and match them to one.

This combination of imaginative storytelling and interactive tasks not only improves learning but keeps kids entertained longer.

Recommended Christmas Printables

Remember to include these fun Christmas-themed printables to enhance learning about letters, numbers, and more!

Supplies You’ll Need for this Sensory Activity

Here’s your shopping list to create a Christmas-themed sensory bin. Most of these are easy to grab from local dollar stores, Amazon, or craft stores.

• Mini Bells
• Mini Present Bows
• Red and White Paper Shred
• Magnetic Wands
• cups (optional)
• trays (optional)

Augshy Jingle Bells for CraftsChristmas Mini Gift Wrapping BowsMagnetic Bingo Wand Set

 

These budget-friendly items are all you need for a rich sensory play experience!

How to make your Christmas-themed Sensory Bin

Making your Christmas sensory bin is a breeze. With just a bit of assembly, you’ll have it ready to go in no time! The first thing you need to do is to find the perfect bin.

Start with a medium-sized plastic bin or a shallow box. Make sure it’s wide enough for little hands to reach in easily.

Fill the bottom of your bin with the red and white paper shreds. They’re festive and colorful and provide a great sensory base for the other items.

Sprinkle the mini bells and bows throughout the bin. These small, colorful objects are perfect for grabbing, sorting, and exploring. My child loved digging through the colorful shreds and found joy in discovering the mini bells and bows, often giggling as they sorted them by color.

Place the magnetic wand in the bin along with the magnetic bells. Kids will have a blast exploring how the wand can pick up the bells, sparking curiosity about magnets.

Place the bin on a flat surface and give your child any extra tools, like cups or trays, for sorting. I bet your child will love these additional tools because mine spent hours organizing, pouring, and creating little games with the cups and trays. Seeing their creativity in action was fun, and we both enjoyed the time together without worrying too much about the mess!

Encourage your child to explore the bin at their own pace. Ask questions, guide them in sorting or counting, or watch where their creativity takes them.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to enjoy a sensory bin!

More Christmas Activities Kids Will Enjoy

Try these super fun activities, too!

• Christmas Sensory Activities
• Fun Christmas Word Search for Kids
• Christmas Around the World Coloring Pages
• Christmas Worksheets for Preschool
• Christmas Worksheets for Kindergarten
• Christmas in the Philippines Worksheets by Homeschool of 1
• Unicorn Christmas Craft by Simple Everyday Mom

This sensory bin for Christmas brings the joy of the season right into your living room while sneaking in some incredible developmental benefits for your kids. It’s an easy, low-prep activity that your child will want to come back to again and again.

Why not give it a try? You’ll have fun watching your child explore, learn, and giggle through the joy of sensory play.