Spooky Fun: How to Make a Halloween Sensory Bin

Sensory bins by themselves are amazing playthings because they boost child development, which is important in the early years. And, one of the best things about these bins is that you can make them into anything you like.

Related article: What is a Montessori sensory bin?

Halloween-themed sensory bins are a hit with kids and grown-ups, too.

Think about it - what kid doesn't love a little bit of spooky fun? These bins are filled with all sorts of creepy crawlies, slimy textures, and mysterious objects that spark their imaginations and ignite their curiosity.

But it's not just about the thrills and chills. Halloween sensory bins also offer a wealth of educational benefits:

Ready to get spooky? Let’s go over a few creative Halloween-themed sensory bin ideas to get you started.

Get ready for a creepy-crawly sensory adventure. Fill your bin with a mix of black beans and red lentils to make your own miniature haunted graveyard. Hide plastic spiders, skeletons, bats, and other spooky figurines within the mix, waiting to be discovered by your little explorer.

This bin is a sensory delight, offering contrasting textures and hidden surprises that will keep your little one engaged for hours. They'll love digging through the beans and lentils, feeling the different textures, and uncovering the spooky creatures lurking beneath.

It's a fantastic way to develop those fine motor skills and encourage tactile exploration, all while having a spooky good time.

Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble! It's time to conjure up some sensory magic with a witchy water bead potion. Fill your bin with a mix of black and purple water beads - they're squishy, slippery, and oh-so-satisfying to the touch.

Then, add in some mini cauldrons, tiny broomsticks, and maybe even a few plastic spiders or eyeballs for an extra spooky touch.

Your little witches and wizards will love scooping, pouring, and mixing these magical beads, pretending to brew their own potions and cast spells. A few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil can add a mysterious scent to complete the experience.

This bin is a fantastic way to spark imaginative play, encourage storytelling, and develop those fine motor skills. Plus, it's a sensory delight that will keep your little ones spellbound for hours.

Moon sand is always a hit with little ones, and this pumpkin-spiced version adds a festive touch to the fun.

Whip up a batch of moon sand (you can find easy recipes online) and infuse it with a hint of pumpkin spice for a delightful autumnal aroma. Then, fill your sensory bin with this soft, moldable sand and add some pumpkin-themed tools like small cookie cutters, molds, and scoops.

Your kiddo will love squishing, shaping, and creating with the fragrant moon sand. They can use the cookie cutters to make pumpkin shapes, build miniature pumpkin pies, or simply let their imaginations run wild.

This activity not only provides a unique sensory experience but also encourages creativity, fine motor skills development, and imaginative play.

Create a spooky scene with a bin full of "ghostly" white rice and black bat-shaped pom-poms. Hide the pom-poms within the rice, creating a fun challenge for little hands to discover. Add some small tongs or scoops to the mix, and watch as your little ghost hunters carefully pick up the bats and transfer them to another container.

This bin is perfect for developing fine motor control and hand-eye coordination. Plus, the contrasting colors and textures provide a stimulating sensory experience. You can even add some spooky sound effects or dim the lights for an extra eerie atmosphere.

Get even more ideas in our guide on rice and water sensory bins.

Get ready for some squishy, squashy, monster-making mayhem! Whip up a batch of green playdough, and let your little ones transform it into their own unique creations. Add googly eyes, plastic teeth, pipe cleaners, and other fun accessories to bring their monsters to life.

For an extra challenge, provide cookie cutters shaped like spooky creatures – bats, ghosts, spiders, and more. Kids will love rolling out the dough, cutting out shapes, and decorating their creations with all sorts of silly features.

This activity is a fantastic way to spark creativity, encourage imaginative play, and strengthen those little hand muscles. Plus, it's a great opportunity to talk about emotions and express feelings through play.

Turn your sensory bin into a creepy crawly farm. Fill the bin with a base of dirt or soil, then add some fake grass or green shredded paper to create a grassy field. Scatter toy insects, spiders, and other creepy crawlies throughout the bin, along with a few miniature farm animals.

Your little ones will love exploring this miniature world, digging in the dirt, and discovering hidden creatures. It's a fantastic opportunity for sensory exploration, imaginative play, and learning about different animals and their habitats.

Fill a bin with ice cubes dyed in Halloween colors (orange, black, purple), and add some plastic spiders or eyeballs for a spooky surprise. Then, give your kiddo some scoops, tongs, and other tools to explore this icy wonderland.

The cold sensory experience adds an extra layer of fun and excitement to playtime. Kids will love scooping, transferring, and even smashing the ice cubes, all while developing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

You can also add some salt to the bin and watch as it melts the ice, creating interesting patterns and textures. For some extra fun, freeze small toys or Halloween trinkets inside the ice cubes for an element of surprise your kids won’t be expecting.

Fill a bin with a variety of edible sensory items like:

Encourage your little one to explore the different textures, colors, and tastes. They can sort the items, create patterns, or even build edible structures. This sensory bin is a feast for the senses, promoting fine motor skills, creativity, and even early math concepts like counting and sorting.

Just remember to supervise your child closely during this activity to ensure they don't put anything in their mouth that could potentially be a choking hazard.

Why not fill your sensory bin with the warm and inviting aroma of fall? You can either purchase pre-scented sand or make your own by mixing a bit of pumpkin pie spice into regular sand. Then, let your little one loose with a variety of tools like molds, scoops, and funnels.

They'll love creating sandcastles, digging tunnels, and pouring the fragrant sand through the funnels. This sensory experience not only stimulates their sense of touch but also engages their sense of smell, creating a calming and multi-sensory experience.

You can also add a few miniature pumpkins, gourds, or fall leaves to the bin for an extra touch of autumnal charm.

Transform your sensory bin into a bubbling cauldron of creativity! Fill some containers with colored water (use food coloring or natural dyes), add a little bit of glitter and sparkly sequins, and don’t forget to toss in some scoops, droppers, and mixing tools.

Your little potion masters will love concocting their own magical brews, experimenting with different colors and textures. They can mix and match, create swirling patterns, and even add a few drops of essential oils for a spooky scent.

This activity encourages imaginative play, scientific exploration, and fine motor skills development. Plus, it's a fantastic opportunity for kids to practice following instructions and measuring ingredients.

Make sure to use clear containers so kids can watch the fascinating color transformations as they mix different liquids. You can also add some dry ingredients like baking soda or cornstarch for added texture and bubbling effects.

Turn your sensory bin into a giant, colorful spider web! You can use yarn or stretchy web material to create a web-like structure across the top of the bin. Then, fill the bin with a base of your choice - black beans, rice, or even shredded paper.

Hide small plastic spiders, Halloween-themed toys, or other treasures within the web, and let your little spider explorers go to work.

They'll love reaching into the web, carefully setting the hidden objects free, and navigating the sticky strands. This activity challenges their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and problem-solving abilities.

Sensory bins are a blast, but they can also be a bit messy. Here are a few tips to help you set up and clean up your Halloween-themed sensory bins with ease:

• Mind the place: Choose a space that's easy to clean and supervise, like a kitchen table, a hard floor, or even outdoors on a nice day.

• Containment is key: Put a large sheet or tablecloth under the bin to catch any spills or stray materials. This will make cleanup much quicker and easier.

• Get organized: Have all your materials ready to go before you start. This includes the bin, fillers, themed objects, and any tools or scoops your child will be using.

• Let your little one get involved: Make cleaning up part of the fun! Encourage your kiddo to help you put the materials back in the bin and wipe down any spills. This helps them develop a sense of responsibility and keeps the mess to a minimum.

• Storage solutions: Store your sensory bin fillers and objects in airtight containers or zip-lock bags to keep them fresh and ready for the next playtime adventure.