10 Fall-Themed Sensory Bins for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Discover fun fall-themed sensory bins for toddlers and preschoolers that encourage hands-on learning, imaginative play, and exploration of the season's wonders.

Fall is a magical time of year when the leaves change colours, the air gets crisp, and pumpkin-flavoured everything is in season! It’s also the perfect opportunity to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to new sensory experiences. Sensory bins are a fantastic way to engage young children in hands-on learning through play. They help develop fine motor skills, foster creativity, and encourage exploration. In this blog post, we share a list of 10 fall-themed sensory bins that are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. These bins are simple to put together and offer endless fun!

Tips for Creating DIY Sensory Bins:

• Prioritize Safety: Always supervise young children during sensory play, especially when using small objects that could pose a choking hazard.
• Keep it Simple: Utilize materials that are easy to clean up and store for repeated use.
• Encourage Imagination: Sensory bins are a great way to tell stories and play pretend, so consider adding elements that can be used in multiple ways.
• Get Outside: Explore this beautiful time of year first-hand by getting outside and enjoying the benefits of outdoor play by collecting items for your sensory bins in your own backyard! 

1. Pumpkin Patch Sensory Bin

Create a mini pumpkin patch using orange water beads, orange pom-poms, or orange foam balls as the base. Add mini foam pumpkins, felt pumpkin cutouts, and small toy shovels. Include tongs and buckets to encourage "picking" and "harvesting" the pumpkins. This bin fosters fine motor development and introduces children to the idea of a fall harvest.

2. Apple Orchard Sensory Bin

Use red, green, and yellow pom-poms or felt balls to represent apples in this sensory bin. Add real or faux leaves, small tree branches, and miniature baskets. Provide tools like tweezers or scoops to “pick” the apples and place them in baskets. This activity promotes colour recognition, sorting, and counting skills while encouraging imaginative play.

3. Falling Leaves Sensory Bin

Fill a bin with a variety of real or faux leaves in different colours and textures. Add small branches, pinecones, and acorns (made from wood or plastic) for a realistic touch. Include small rakes, tongs, or scoops for children to gather and sort the leaves, enhancing fine motor skills while celebrating the beauty of fall foliage. For an added step, collect your own leaves on a family nature walk!  

4. Forest Floor Sensory Bin

Use shredded brown paper or natural-coloured craft paper to mimic the look of a forest floor. Add toy animals such as squirrels, owls, and deer, along with small faux mushrooms, rocks, and wooden discs. This sensory bin encourages exploration of forest ecosystems and can be used to teach children about animals preparing for winter.

5. Spooky Halloween Sensory Bin

For a Halloween-inspired sensory experience, fill a bin with black or purple kinetic sand. Add plastic spiders, bats, skeletons, and miniature pumpkins. Include small glow-in-the-dark elements or spider webs for a fun, spooky touch. This bin promotes imaginative play and can serve as a great introduction to Halloween traditions.

6. Acorn and Pinecone Sensory Bin

Gather acorns and pinecones (or use artificial ones) and combine them with dried leaves, wood chips, or moss in a bin. Add magnifying glasses, scoops, and tweezers to encourage exploration and observation. This nature-themed bin helps children learn about different textures and develop their sensory processing skills.

7. Autumn Textures Sensory Bin

Create a sensory bin filled with a mix of textured materials such as faux fur, burlap pieces, felt, and fabric leaves. Add various natural elements like wooden acorns, small gourds, and faux pumpkins. This bin allows children to explore different textures, enhancing their tactile senses and creative thinking.

8. Hay Bale Sensory Bin

Use shredded yellow or brown paper to mimic hay in this sensory bin. Add farm animal figurines, mini hay bales made of plastic or fabric, and a toy tractor. Include small fencing or a toy barn to enhance pretend play. This bin encourages storytelling skills and learning about farm life during the fall season.

9. Autumn Sensory Discovery Bin

Create a sensory bin with hidden surprises using a filler like small river rocks, pebbles, or fake moss. Hide small fall-themed treasures such as plastic acorns, faux pumpkins, tiny woodland animals, and miniature pinecones. Provide children with brushes, scoops, and small bags to "discover" the hidden items, promoting problem-solving and sensory exploration.

10. Woodland Creature Sensory Bin

Use a base of small rocks or pebbles, then add small animal figurines like hedgehogs, owls, foxes, and deer. Include faux moss, tree slices, and tiny faux toadstools to create a mini woodland environment. This bin is perfect for fostering imaginative play and storytelling while introducing children to woodland creatures and their habitats.

Fall-themed sensory bins are a fantastic way to celebrate the season with your toddlers and preschoolers. They provide an opportunity for hands-on learning, encourage creativity, and help develop important skills. Whether you’re exploring pumpkins, apples, or the spooky elements of Halloween, these sensory bins will provide hours of fun and engagement for your little ones. Enjoy the magic of fall, and happy sensory playing!