Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin

The last year, we have spent extra time at home, which can lead to some stress for ways to entertain your kids! What better way to do that than with a sensory bin that is not only good for working on fine motor skills, but also YUMMY!! So this month, we are showing you an edible sensory bin you can make at home with your kiddos.
Sensory bins are amazing for letting your child explore new textures in the confined area of a box or bin. Typically, sensory bins will cause a mess, but it is usually easily cleaned up with a broom. You can even invite your child to help sweep up the mess, as more ways to work together after the activity is over. Check out this sensory bin for January!

HOT CHOCOLATE SENSORY BIN

This sensory bin is perfect for this season, not only this year, but in this season of life. Most of our sensory bins are re-used multiple times, but with the Coronavirus and all the extra cleaning procedures we have put in place due to the pandemic, this bin is especially useful, because it is edible. You can add the items to the box, eat it all up, and then wash the spoons, scoops, and bin in the dishwasher to keep it clean until next time.

So what goes into this sensory bin?

• Chocolate Cereal - we chose Cocoa Roos
• Mini Marshmallows
• Coffee cups
• Scoops and measuring spoons

This bin was so fun and inexpensive to make. We were able to find everything we needed at the local dollar store or walmart and put it together in minutes. The purpose of this bin is to allow your children to make their own "Hot Chocolate". We encourage them to scoop the chocolate cereal into the cup first, top it off with marshmallows, and then enjoy!

Benefits of Sensory Bins:

• Improves fine motor skills because the child is practicing pinching, pouring, and scooping. Child is able to pick up each penguin and move him from place to place. 
• Expands language skills as they describe the different items in the bin, i.e. what color is the cereal, how did it taste, how do the marshmallows feel, etc.
• Works on social skills by encouraging sharing and communicating if multiple children are playing together.
• Encourages sensory exploration by encouraging various senses such as touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing. 
• Sensory bins can have a calming effect on overstimulated children.
• Encourages imaginative play and play based learning.
• IT'S FUN!!

Let us know if you tried this sensory bin for yourself? We hope you enjoyed some of these ideas and feel inspired to make a sensory bin at home with your family to play together or entertain yourselves during this season of extra time at home!