Simple Snowman Sensory Bin
Take a peek at what we used for our simple snowman sensory bin which can be such a great toddler activity. This was super easy to put together and provided a good amount of fun for my daughter.
She loved feeling the soft snowman and digging around the rice. It’s super fun for her to get messy with the rice. I’m a huge fan of sensory activities for the kids because it helps with sensory learning and shows that there are so many fun textures and creative ideas and ways to play.
You’ll love this list of snowman activities for kids.
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Simple Snowman Sensory Bin
One of the best parts about sensory bins is that they offer a ton of variety to them. Since we use rice in this sensory bin, this just shows that you can easily add in a lot of toys and items for the kids to play with.
Cookie cutters are always a good idea because they’re in shapes as well. This gives the kids a chance to see the shapes, play with them in the rice, and then you can talk about them, too.
You can also keep it super simple and have them bring in some of their favorite toys, too. This gives them the chance to use their imagination while playing with their senses.
Also, during the holidays, ornaments that are safe for kids are fun as well! There are so many ways that you can make this a Christmas sensory bin, or a winter sensory bin just by changing up what you put into it. You can really have fun with sensory bins by changing them up!
Related: Toddler Activities for Learning Fun
Recommended Snowman Books for Kids
Bring snowmen alive and discover how fun they are in these amazing snowman books your kids will just eat up. Who doesn’t love a good snowman, Olaf anyone?
We love to read all types of books about snowman! There are just so many cute book ideas that everyone can love. You’ll find books that are full of pictures, words, and just magical stories, too.
You can never have too many books during this time of the year so keep some to cycle out for later! We keep books in our cars, our bags, and pretty much everywhere so we can grab and ready on the go.
Sneezy the Snowman
The Biggest Snowman EverThe Itsy Bitsy SnowmanThe SnowmanThe Magic of Friendship SnowThe Amazing Snowman Duel: Winner of the Mom’s Choice Gold Award (Snowman Paul) (Volume 5)
If I had some I would have added cotton balls. My daughter first began by touching and feeling the snowman. She wasn’t really interested in playing with him but moved onto the good stuff the rice.
She grabbed our container that holds the pom pom balls and dumped them into the bin. She then used the cup to transfer rice and balls to the smaller container and dumped them out and repeated the process.
I love sensory bins, they’re so messy but the kids love playing with them. And yes that is her in her Frozen princess dress that she’s worn almost every day since Christmas.
It’s always inevitable, kids love transferring the rice in and out of the box so do expect some mess with this, it’s will be easier for you if you’re prepared for it.
How to keep the sensory bin mess to a minimum
Place a plastic tablecloth underneath the table to catch anything that falls underneath that table.
Yes, there will be rice on the floor. It’s part of it.
You can place the bin itself on top of a baking sheet or a table cloth as well. When I add the baking sheet all the rice gets dumped onto it so you do need something else underneath it.
Explain that rice or the sensory material is not to be thrown or it will be taken away. My kids have learned this well so their play has been contained.
If you’re overly worried about the mess, put a towel or a tablecloth underneath. This will catch the rice and then you can take and shake it out in the trash once you’re done.
You can also keep this sensory bin so that the kids can play with it again and again.
I know sensory bins can be more mess than it’s worth but she had so much fun playing and this activity buys me time while I’m getting dinner together.
At least I know where she is and she’s not causing trouble in another room somewhere. You can literally make this sensory bin in any room in the house so that the kids are right there with you while they’re playing. This makes it a simple activity that has them right next to you no matter you might be.
Snowman Sensory Bin Supplies
All you need are the following supplies to get started!
- plain rice
- snowflake ornaments
- snowflake cookie cutter
- blue and white pom pom balls
- measuring cups
- snowman ornament
Bearington Snowball Plush Stuffed Animal Snowman, 6 inchesBXT Christmas Decorations Santa Claus/Snowman/Elk Figure Plush Toy Doll Christmas Party Tree Decor Ornaments Home Indoor Table Fireplace Shelf Window Sitter Figurine Decoration PresentsKlikel Metal Snowflake Ornament – Winter Christmas Tree Hanging Decorations – Set of 2R&M International 1894 Snowflake Cookie Cutters, Assorted Sizes, 7-Piece Set
You can check out my other toddler activities as well, if you have a toddler at home check out the ebook – Every Parent Can Teach Their Toddler for ideas on teaching your toddler at home.
More Snowman Activities
Once you get started with the snowman fun, why stop? If you can do the following activities, it keeps that sensory play and sensory activities going. These ideas are a lot of fun for the kids to do as well and they’re going to love them! Don’t worry about messy play – let the kids have fun and be right there with them so that they can show you what they’re playing with!
Fizzy Snowman Science Activity
Snowman Activities for Preschoolers
My Snowman Easy Reader Book by 3 Dinosaurs
How to Build a Snowman Sequence Card Printables by Homeschool Preschool