10 Easy Spring Sensory Bins for Toddlers & Preschoolers (Set Up in 5 Minutes or Less!)
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Need something screen-free to keep your toddler entertained while you clean up yet another trail of muddy shoes? I get it—spring is beautiful, but it also comes with rainy days, messy play, and kids who seem to have endless energy.
I personally love spring sensory bins because they’re full of bright colors and easy to do outside—less mess for me, more fun for them. A little rice, a few scoops, and some plastic eggs can go a long way.
These 10 spring sensory bins take five minutes or less to pull together, use simple supplies you likely already have, and are a total hit with toddlers and preschoolers. Even older siblings might sneak in for a turn.
What You’ll Need (Basic Supplies to Keep on Hand)
Before you dive into the bins, it helps to have a few things ready to go. I keep a small stash of sensory supplies in a clear bin so I can pull it out whenever we need a quick activity—no digging through craft drawers while someone’s melting down.
Here are a few easy-to-find fillers that work for just about any spring sensory bin:
- Dry rice (plain or dyed)
- Shredded paper
- Water beads (always supervise)
- Kinetic sand
- Pom poms
And while you can just use your hands, these extras make play even more fun:
- Scoops and measuring spoons
- Plastic cups or muffin tins
- Tongs or kid-friendly tweezers
- Small trays or bins (a dish tub works great)
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Want to skip the guessing and grab everything in one go? Here are the sensory bin must-haves I keep on hand—linked so you can stock up fast.
10 Easy Spring Sensory Bins You Can Make in 5 Minutes
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup or an hour of prep time. These spring sensory bins are quick to throw together, super affordable, and fun for all kinds of play—scooping, sorting, pretending, or just squishing around.
Each bin takes five minutes or less to set up and uses stuff you probably already have lying around. Some are perfect for a sunny afternoon outside. Others work great indoors when the weather turns on you.
Pick one based on your kid’s mood (or your energy level), and let them explore while you sip that coffee in peace—for at least five minutes.
1. Spring Flower Garden Sensory Bin
What it is:
A pretend flower garden kids can plant, pick, and play with—no watering required.
What you need:
- Dried black beans (for soil)
- Faux flowers (grab a bunch from the dollar store)
- Small flower pots or cups
- Toy bugs or mini watering can (optional)
How to play:
Dump the beans into a bin to make the “dirt,” then stick the faux flowers into the beans to create a garden. Let your child “plant” flowers, sort them by color, or pretend to water them.
Mom tip:
This one looks pretty enough to leave out for a few days—and my toddler went full florist mode for 30 minutes straight. Just be warned: the beans will end up outside the bin.
2. Easter Egg Water Sensory Bin
What it is:
A simple water play bin using plastic Easter eggs—great for scooping, pouring, and surprise finds.
What you need:
- Plastic Easter eggs
- A bin of water (cold, warm, or colored with food dye)
- Measuring cups, spoons, or small containers
- Optional: tiny toys or pom poms to hide inside the eggs
How to play:
Fill a bin with water and toss in the Easter eggs—some open, some closed. Let your kid scoop, sink, and shake the eggs to see what’s inside. Add some tools for pouring or an extra layer of discovery.
Mom tip:
This one’s an easy outdoor option on warmer days—and yes, they will end up soaked. I usually toss a towel down and let it turn into a mini splash zone.
3. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
What it is:
A colorful, eye-catching bin filled with dyed rice that’s perfect for scooping, pouring, and hiding little treasures.
What you need:
- Dyed rice (make a big batch and store it for later)
- Small spring-themed toys or erasers (like chicks, flowers, bugs)
- Scoops, spoons, funnels, or measuring cups
- Optional: mini baskets or muffin tins for sorting
How to play:
Pour the rainbow rice into your bin, add the toys, and let the kids dig and discover. They can scoop, sort by color, or make their own little spring “world.”
Mom tip:
Make the rice once and reuse it all season (or until they all end up vacuumed). I keep ours in a zip bag and pull it out when I need a guaranteed 20-minute break. Just keep a broom nearby—those grains like to travel.
4. Bug Hunt Sensory Bin
What it is:
A hands-on “dig and discover” bin where kids can search for bugs hiding in the sand.
What you need:
- Kinetic sand or play sand
- Plastic bugs
- Paintbrushes or small tools for digging
- Optional: magnifying glass
How to play:
Bury the bugs in the sand and let your child hunt for them like a mini entomologist. They can brush off the bugs with a paintbrush, sort them by type, or count how many they find.
Mom tip:
Kinetic sand is magical… until it’s in your carpet. I use a shallow tray and keep this one on a big towel or outside. It’s worth it though—my kids love pretending they’re scientists on a mission.
5. Frog Pond Water Sensory Bin
What it is:
A simple water play bin that turns into a pretend frog pond—great for pretend play and fine motor skills.
What you need:
- A bin of water (add blue food coloring if you want)
- Green pom poms (frogs)
- Flat stones or rocks
- Lily pad cutouts (use green foam sheets or paper)
- Optional: toy frogs or scoops
How to play:
Set up your pond with lily pads floating on top and pom poms as frogs. Kids can scoop the frogs, jump them from pad to pad, or line them up on the rocks.
Mom tip:
This one’s surprisingly calming. Mine played quietly for ages—and then asked for it again the next day. Just keep a towel close if your “pond” gets rowdy..
6. Carrot Patch Sensory Bin
What it is:
A pretend carrot garden where kids can plant and harvest their own crop—no dirt under the nails.
What you need:
- Brown shredded paper or cocoa puffs (for dirt)
- Plastic or felt carrots (or DIY with orange and green pipe cleaners)
- Small baskets or bowls
- Optional: toy bunnies or veggie-themed toys
How to play:
Fill the bin with your “dirt,” then hide the carrots inside. Kids can dig, plant, and pull up carrots over and over. Add a basket for collecting or sort by size or number.
Mom tip:
If you use cocoa puffs, the bin smells amazing—but it might also become snack time. Shredded paper is a little messier, but at least no one’s sneaking bites.
7. Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin
What it is:
A spring-themed bin that walks kids through the butterfly life cycle using simple materials and a whole lot of imagination.
What you need:
- Dry pasta (different shapes for each stage: shell = egg, rotini = caterpillar, bowtie = butterfly)
- Green dyed rice or shredded paper (for grass)
- Small containers for sorting
- Printable or visual of the butterfly life cycle (optional but helpful)
How to play:
Layer the green filler, then add the pasta pieces. Talk through each stage of the life cycle and let your child find and sort the pieces in order. Older kids might like acting it out with toys or drawing their own version after.
Mom tip:
This is one of those bins that feels educational—and it actually is. Plus, if your kids love pretending to be butterflies afterward, that’s science and gross motor practice. Win-win.
8. Spring Cloud Foam Sensory Bin
What it is:
A fluffy, sensory-rich bin that looks like spring skies—perfect for squishing, swirling, and pretending.
What you need:
- Shaving cream or foam soap
- A few drops of blue food coloring (optional)
- Cotton balls or blue/white pom poms
- Small toy birds, planes, or weather-themed figures (optional)
How to play:
Spray the foam into the bin, add a few drops of food coloring, and swirl it around to make a sky effect. Toss in cotton balls and toys, and let your child squish, scoop, and play in the clouds.
Want a taste-safe option?
Whip up some aquafaba foam by blending the liquid from a can of chickpeas with a little cream of tartar. It creates a soft, fluffy foam that’s safe for little ones who still put everything in their mouths—just keep in mind it doesn’t last as long as shaving cream.
Mom tip:
This one’s a blast but definitely needs a wipeable surface—or better yet, take it outside. I strip mine down to a diaper and let the mess happen. Cleanup is fast with a wet rag (or hose).
9. Nature Sensory Bin from a Walk
What it is:
A bring-the-outdoors-in bin made with real nature finds—perfect for open-ended, calming play.
What you need:
- Leaves, sticks, rocks, flowers (gathered from your yard or a nature walk)
- Plain rice, dirt, or shredded paper as a base
- Small baskets, cups, or scoops
- Optional: magnifying glass or nature guide
How to play:
Take a walk with your kids and collect whatever catches their eye. Dump everything into a bin with your filler and let them explore. Sort by texture or color, build a little forest, or make up stories about what lives there.
Mom tip:
This is my go-to when we need a calm reset. Plus, involving them in the gathering process makes the bin even more exciting—and way more meaningful.
10. Chick and Bunny Sensory Bin
What it is:
A soft and silly bin inspired by everyone’s favorite spring animals—great for pretend play and fine motor fun.
What you need:
- Yellow and white pom poms (chicks and bunnies)
- Cupcake liners or mini baskets
- Googly eyes, pipe cleaners, and felt scraps (optional for crafting)
- Tweezers or tongs
How to play:
Fill the bin with pom poms and let your child sort them into liners as “nests” or “burrows.” Add googly eyes and felt to craft your own critters or just use tongs to pick them up and move them around.
Mom tip:
This one’s cute enough to leave on the table for a few days—and my kids kept coming back to it. Just be ready to find stray pom poms everywhere for the next week.
Tips for Keeping It Quick and Easy
Sensory bins don’t need to be a whole production. Here are a few ways to keep things simple (and your sanity intact):
- Use a plastic dish bin or under-bed storage box as your go-to sensory bin container. It’s the perfect size—not too deep, not too messy.
- Store your supplies together in a clear bin or tote so you can pull everything out in seconds. Think of it as your “boredom emergency kit.”
- Set up on a towel, mat, or take it outside whenever you can. Clean-up is faster when everything’s already contained—or when you can just shake it out into the yard.
Quick setups = more time for coffee while they play.
FAQs About Spring Sensory Bins
Can I make these sensory bins taste-safe for toddlers?
Yes—just swap in edible or non-toxic fillers. Try plain or colored rice, oats, cooked pasta, or even puffed cereal for little ones who still like to taste-test everything. Skip small items like water beads or tiny toys if your child is still mouthing.
What age are sensory bins good for?
Sensory bins work well for toddlers through early elementary. Younger kids love scooping and pouring, while older ones get into pretend play or themed setups. Always supervise younger toddlers, especially if small pieces are involved.
How do I store sensory bin fillers between uses?
Let everything dry out fully (especially if you used water or shaving cream), then store fillers in zip bags or airtight containers. I keep a few labeled gallon-size bags in our activity bin so I can reuse the same base for different themes. Most dry fillers like rice or beans will last all season—if not longer.
Keep It Simple, Keep It Fun
You don’t need a Pinterest-perfect setup to make sensory play a success. With just 5 minutes and a container, you’ve got everything you need to keep your kids entertained, learning, and off a screen—even if it’s just long enough to drink your coffee while it’s still warm.
Try one (or all) of these spring sensory bins, and don’t forget to tag me or share your setup—I love seeing how other families make these ideas their own.
Want more easy toddler activities? Here are more toddler-approved activities on the blog:
