Summer is quickly fading away from us, and the beautiful transition to fall and winter is beginning.
The season change is a great time to get children more involved with nature in ways that summer doesn’t offer.
As the foliage changes, it’s an easy way to talk to them more in-depth about things like tree species, what snow is made of, and the uniqueness of every snowflake.
Some days, especially as we head into full-on frigid winter temperatures, outdoor time will be limited. And, we all know the importance of supporting sensory development in kids.
One way to keep kids engaged in the world around them and let them “explore” is through the use of sensory bins and boxes.
So, let’s look at some fun ideas for fall and winter sensory boxes that provide hours of fun and tons of educational benefits.
Winter Wonderland Box
A Winter Wonderland-themed sensory box can be achieved through several different mediums.
One fun way would be to take your bin (plastic is always the easiest to clean, dry, and store after play), fill it with a few inches of water, and add some ice cubes.
Use fun arctic figurines like penguins, seals, and polar bears.
Have the children identify the animals and discuss the different traits, habitats, and diets of the animals.
Another option for a Winter Wonderland box is filling the bin with a bunch of cotton balls as snow and using toy people as well as different types of evergreen trees.
The people provide a good opportunity for children to engage in play about sharing, helping, and teaching.
It’s an excellent opportunity to teach the importance of community and working together.
Of course, you can add a little white glitter to make the snow glisten, but make sure you’ve got your Chemex coffee on standby because we all know glitter will keep you up all night cleaning it up!
Fall Foliage Fun
Before full-on winter is upon us, it’s a great idea to create a fall foliage bin.
Take the children outside and gather as many different varieties of leaves as you can find.
Please encourage them to find rocks that speak to them and sticks and anything else they want in their box.
If you’re open to dirt cleanup, include that as well. It’s all about getting the child engaged and using multiple senses at once.
Then let the children build their own individual bins and discuss the types of leaves and those trees’ different characteristics and traits.
Ask the children why they chose specific rocks or sticks.
Maybe they thought one stone looked like a bear or the stick reminded them of a walk they took one day or another happy memory. Then allow the children time for independent play for their boxes.
If they used dirt, building small villages or forests is another fun option with these boxes.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Remember how much fun the books by the same name were in your childhood?
Well, letting the child have complete creative control over their sensory bin is equally if not more fun and fulfilling.
For this project, you want all options on deck.
So whatever filling (rock, rice, cotton balls, beans, and beads) on hand, all figurines and toys, and natural elements that the child can utilize to create their world and adventure.
If you want, use a visual timer to let the child know how long they have to create the world and then engage them in every aspect of what they’ve created.
Ask questions on age-appropriate levels to understand what they were trying to achieve and the purpose of everything in their made-up world.
This is one of the most fun activities for most children, where they feel like they have some control, which studies show gives them confidence and better self-esteem.
The great thing about sensory bins and boxes is they’re virtually no limits on what the kids can and cannot do to create and explore the worlds around them.
Engaging in this kind of open-ended play is beneficial for their growing minds and boosts their mental health.
And hey, it’s not limited to children only; get involved and make your own bin right alongside them! Have fun!