Easy Polar Bear Sensory Bin
Are you learning about Arctic animals this winter? Try this easy polar bear sensory bin to allow your child to discover polar bears.
Polar bears are magnificent creatures that rule the Arctic, they are built for the cold and are amazing swimmers. They’re large and lovely to look at and more than likely, the kids will want to learn even more about them, too!
Do you have a polar bear lover? You can easily put this sensory bin together with whatever craft supplies you have in your home right now. This is a fun way for them to play with their hands and let their imagination take over, too.
Make sure to check out my Preschool Polar Bear Activities for more fun ideas.
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Easy Polar Bear Sensory Bin
The great thing about sensory bins is that they’re really fast and simple to put together. The kids will love having a creative space that they can use to dig in their hands and do some creative learning fun.
Sensory bins are fun and will actually provide hours of play for the kids. You can start out with a few simple toys added in or you can make it to where the kids get to pick and choose what they want to put into the sensory bin as well.
The biggest thing to remember is not to stress out over what to put in it because sensory bins are supposed to be simple and stress free.
Don’t want to make your own sensory bin? Grab this fun polar bear sensory kit from Etsy. Get all everything you need sent to your home and it’s ready to go.
Recommended Polar Bear Books for Kids
Grab your favorite polar bear books to discover how amazing these creatures really are. Below are some of our favorite books about polar bears that the kids are sure to love. There are some with some really lovely pictures that make great visuals, too.
The best part about adding books in with learning is that it gives words to go with creative play. Even if your little one isn’t old enough to read quite yet, you can use these books as a way to look at the pictures and sit and read to them.
I’ve spent a lot of time reading with the kids and I’ll even read to them while they’re playing in the sensory bin as well. While they’re digging around with their hands, they can have a blast listening to the words of the stories, too.
If I Knew A Polar BearPolar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? (Brown Bear and Friends)
The Lonely Polar Bear (Happy Fox Books) A Subtle Way to Introduce Young Kids to Climate Change Issues; Beautifully Illustrated Children’s Picture Book Set in a Fragile Arctic Environment
Hush Little Polar Bear: A Picture Book
The Little Polar Bear (1)
Where Do Polar Bears Live? (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)
You may already have these supplies in your craft cupboard already. I have used snowflake ornaments with much success as well. As you can see from the image below, I used a lot of white and blue, and silver for this sensory bin because those are the colors that remind me of winter.
If you want to add in other colors and objects, do so. Just make sure that they’re safe and fun for the kids.
Don’t be deceived by how pretty this looks. Be sure to set up your play area so that it’s easy to clean up. I like to place a table cloth or sheet underneath the bin to catch any mess. That way if the kids spill, you can just take the tablecloth outside and shake it off. This will save you so much time since you won’t have to sweep up or vacuum things up time and time again.
Recommended Polar Bear Toys
To create your own arctic scene, grab one of these polar bear sets. To be true to their nature, add penguins and seals to show the arctic food chain in action.
Easy 99 Mini Animals Miniature Figurines Animals Model Fairy Garden Miniature Moss Landscape DIY Terrarium Crafts Ornament Accessories for Home Décor (Polar Bears, Set of 10)UANDME Polar Animal Toy Figurines Set, Includes Polar Bear Family & Emperor Penguin Family Figures
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Arctic Morphing Matter – Play Set Comes with 3 Cups of Morphing Matter, 6 Arctic Animal Figures, Great Kinetic Sensory Activity for Boys & Girls
Wild Republic Polar Nature Tube, Arctic Animals, Kids Gifts, Educational Toys, Party Favors, 13-Piece
Safari Ltd Arctic TOOB With 10 Fun Figurines, Including A Harp Seal, Husky, Caribou, Arctic Rabbit, Killer Whale, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga Whale, Igloo, And Polar Bear – For Ages 3 and Up
Yokoke Set of 12 Sea Ocean Animal Figurines White Christmas Miniatures Polar Bears Seals for Fairy Garden Snowball Ice Sea Theme Dollhouse Arctic Circle
Look how much fun the polar bears seem to be having. The kids always get a kick out of seeing them in the sensory bin! They look like they’re going on a mission!
Polar bears stay on top of the ice to search for food. Their favorite prey seals hunt under the water. But mama seals have to hide their babies underneath the snow and polar bears are experts at sniffing them out.
Look how simple and pretty it is to put together this sensory bin. I usually have all of these supplies in my cupboard already.
I do use snowflake ornaments too if you didn’t have these decorative ones.
The clear try makes it look like ice which is pretty cool.
Let the kids have fun with this activity and have them create a story to go with it. They might even want to name the polar bears as well as they’re playing with them, too! This is a great idea and gives them the space to be able to do so.
Having them use their imagination to be creative is always a good idea! Just set up the supplies and then let them takeover and have a blast. They’re going to love playing with this sensory bin.
Easy Polar Bear Sensory Bin
Materials
- 1 package white foam beads
- Cotton balls
- Decorative snowflakes
- Clear and torquoise glass gems
- Blue and white pom poms
- Clear tray
- Plastic polar bear toys (or any other arctic animals)
- Sorting bowls, scoops, and spoons ( optional)
Instructions
- Add foam balls into tray.
- Lay the gems on top of the foam balls.
- Add the cotton balls and pom poms.
- Add the decorative snowflakes.
- Add the polar bears and then have fun playing with your arctic scene.
Notes
You can add the desired amount of items that will fit easily into the tray you are using.
Set up a play area that will be easy for you to clean up afterward. You can lay a tablecloth underneath the bin to catch any mess.
Warning: Because we use small objects in this bin, use caution with younger children. Supervision is always encouraged.
More Polar Bear Activities
Preschool Polar Bear Activities
Polar Bear Activities for Kindergarten
Polar Bear Craft by Homeschool Preschool