Sensory Bins for 2-Year-Olds: Stimulating Play for Toddlers

Sensory bins are great for children of all ages, and they have so many developmental benefits for both 1-year-olds and 2-year-olds. But, as we all know, kids in these ages are completely different. It’s all about the developmental progress.

Two-year-olds have more advanced fine motor skills than 1-year-olds. They can manipulate smaller objects, use tools with greater precision, and engage in more complex activities. On top of that, two-year-olds are also cognitively more advanced. They have longer attention spans, increased curiosity, and a growing understanding of the world around them.

Lastly, some materials that are safe for 2-year-olds might be choking hazards for younger children. That’s why it’s important to choose age-appropriate materials and supervise closely during playtime.

When it comes to engagement levels, two-year-olds need more stimulation to stay engaged. They thrive on challenges, problem-solving, and imaginative play. Sensory bins for this age group should offer a variety of textures, colors, and activities to keep their curiosity piqued.

One-year-olds, on the other hand, have shorter attention spans and are more easily engaged with simpler activities that focus on sensory exploration and basic cause-and-effect relationships. So, naturally, sensory bins for 1-year-olds are much different.

If you have a two-year-old toddler, you know all too well how hard it can be to find ways to keep them engaged and entertained. Yeah, that’s right, toddlers can’t stay still in one place for long. But these sensory bin ideas are sure to be a hit with your little one:

Dye some rice in a variety of colors using food coloring or natural dyes, then fill your bin with this vibrant rainbow. Put in some scoops, funnels, and small containers for pouring and transferring, or hide small toys or letters within the rice for an exciting treasure hunt.

If you want a fun combination of wet and dry, you can make a rice and water sensory bin and get the best of both worlds.

This activity helps develop fine motor skills, color recognition, and sensory exploration through texture.

Cloud dough is a magical substance that's soft, moldable, and oh-so-satisfying to touch. It's easy to make at home using just flour and vegetable oil. Encourage your child to mold shapes, press with cookie cutters, or make imprints with their hands or small toys.

This activity provides a unique tactile sensory experience, encourages creativity and imagination, and can even introduce simple measuring concepts if you involve your kiddo in making the dough.

Fill a shallow bin with water and add waterproof toys like cups, sponges, and boats. Your little one will love splashing, pouring, and exploring the properties of water.

This activity enhances their understanding of basic science concepts like floating and sinking, develops hand-eye coordination, and provides sensory stimulation with temperature and texture.

If you’re looking for a truly hands-on experience, try using edible materials like oatmeal, cornmeal, or gelatin in your sensory bin. Let your child touch, taste, and explore freely, engaging all their senses in a safe and stimulating way.

This encourages exploration, curiosity, and a love for learning through sensory discovery.

Bring the wonders of nature indoors with a nature-themed sensory bin full of natural elements like leaves, pinecones, rocks, and sand. You can create mini landscapes or habitats, add animal figures for imaginative play, and encourage your little one to explore the different textures and colors. 

This activity fosters a connection with nature, expands vocabulary with natural elements, and provides a variety of sensory experiences.

And if you think your little one would be interested in themed sensory bins, you can go on an ocean exploration with an ocean-themed sensory bin or have some farmyard fun with a farm sensory bin.

Playdough is a classic sensory material that encourages creativity, fine motor skills, and imaginative play. Use homemade or store-bought playdough in different colors and get some tools like rolling pins, stamps, and shape cutters.

Your child will love molding, squishing, and creating their own unique shapes and designs. This activity also helps them understand shapes and forms and express their creativity.

Celebrate the changing seasons and holidays with themed sensory bins. Use seasonal items and colors, and talk about the changes in nature and associated festivities. And what’s fun about this is that you can make a sensory bin for any holiday you can think of, whether it’s Easter sensory bins, Thanksgiving sensory bins, or Christmas sensory bins.

This helps children develop an awareness of seasons and time, provides cultural education through holiday themes, and offers unique sensory experiences aligned with each season.

Sensory play doesn't have to be expensive. With a little creativity and imagination, you can easily create your own sensory bin kits using affordable materials.

To begin with, look around your home for items that can be repurposed for sensory play, like empty spice containers, egg cartons, cardboard tubes, and fabric scraps.

For example, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, and bottle caps can all be used to create fun and engaging sensory experiences. You can find scoops, containers, small toys, and even seasonal items for a fraction of the cost at your local dollar store.

On top of that, you can find interesting containers, vintage toys, or even fabric remnants at the thrift store for a fraction of the original price.

A good idea is to make kits for different seasons, holidays, or interests, such as a farm kit, an ocean kit, or a dinosaur kit. Also, let your kiddo help you gather materials and assemble the kits. This adds to the fun and encourages their participation in the creative process.

When it comes to benefits, sensory bins are packed with them. First, DIY sensory bin kits are a budget-friendly way to give your child a fun learning sensory experience. Second, making your own kits encourages resourcefulness and creativity, both for you and your child.

On top of that, repurposing household items and recycled materials helps reduce waste and teaches your child about sustainability.

Sensory bins are fantastic for exploration and learning, but let's face it, they can also be a bit messy. But don't worry; with a few simple strategies, you can keep the mess under control.