Categories Sensory Activities, Summer
Explore a variety of different textures in this Sun Sensory Bin for kids. Toddlers and preschoolers will have so much fun playing with the different materials inside this summer themed sensory activity.
If you want to make your Summer themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Summer Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.
Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
More Summer Themed Sensory Activities to try
My kids have always loved sensory activities, ever since they were babies. If you want to give more sensory activities a try this summer, check out these fun summer themed sensory activities for toddlers and preschoolers.
- Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin
- Ice Cream Sensory Bag
- Ice Cream Sensory Bin
- Mini Ice Aquariums
- Moana Sensory Bin
For more ideas, take a look at these 25 Summer sensory activities.
Materials Needed
- A large tray or tub
- Sky blue paper
- Yellow Rainbow Rice
- Small bowl
- Yellow and orange craft sticks
- Yellow and orange loose parts (e.g. buttons, beads, pom poms, pipe cleaners and feathers)
- Hot glue and a hot glue gun
- Sensory bin tools (e.g. cup, spoons, bowls etc.)
How to make a Sun Sensory Bin
Make the Suns Center
1. Line a large tray with light blue paper.
This is completely optional, but it did add a nice visual contrast to the yellow and orange elements in the sensory bin.
2. Place your yellow rainbow rice in a small circular bowl, in the center of the tray.
If you don’t know how to make rainbow rice, check out this taste-safe rainbow rice recipe. It’s so easy to make and makes a fantastic filler for sensory bins.
3. Glue some small items onto your craft sticks.
I used my hot glue gun to stick buttons, beans and pom poms to my craft sticks, since I wanted the craft sticks to contain different objects that had a variety of textures.
I also wanted to glue these small items down, instead of having them loose, because it would make this sensory bin suitable for babies. The babies can still explore the small items, but you don’t have to worry about your children choking on them. (Please remember adult supervision is required at all times.)
So you can use this idea with whatever small objects that you already have at home. You can also try other ideas for your sensory sun rays, things to try include:
- Furry materials
- Sequins or glitter glue.
- Sand
- Jingle bells
4. Arrange the craft sticks around the circumference of the sun center.
Since my tray was rectangular, some of the rays were too long to fit in the sides of my sun. This is where I placed the shorter items, such as the feathers and the pipe cleaners.
Another option is to place the circle of your sun in one corner, and then have rays going out from that corner. This would only cover a 90 degree angle instead of the entire 360.
5. Enjoy playing.
Different ways to play
Scoop and Pour
Scoop up the rainbow rice using cups or spoons, then pour it into a bowl or back into the tray. Listen to how the sound of the falling rainbow rice changes as it gets poured into different sized containers or from different heights.
Making Shapes
Use the craft sticks to make basic 2D shapes. You can make any number of shapes or even try making a picture out of the sun’s rays.
Making Patterns
Use the different colored craft sticks to make a pattern. You can practice both AB or AAB color patterns, depending on what your young children are capable of.
Writing Tray
Pour the bowl of rainbow rice into the tray and draw in it. This is one reason why I love having the sky blue paper to line the bottom of the tray. It makes drawing in the rice really obvious because the color shows through.
You can practice letter formation, drawing shapes or just play around with how the rice moves around your fingers.
Excavating
Excavating is something my son came up with while we were playing. He would hide the craft sticks underneath the rainbow rice, then use a paintbrush to dig them up “like dinosaur fossils”.
This is a great example of how kids can take simple materials, and use them in new and imaginative ways.
What you’re learning
Sensory
Experience the different textures inside this sensory. The rainbow rice, pom poms, feathers and buttons will all have a different feel to them.
This sensory input is a great way to engage kids in learning, or as part of a sensory integration exercise for children with special needs.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to the small muscles in the hand and fingers. Developing these skills are important in being able to write when the kids go to school, as well as being able to complete tasks independently. (For example, dressing and feeding themselves)
Picking up the craft sticks, scooping and pouring the rainbow rice are all going to help young kids develop:
- Pincer grip
- Palmar grasp
- Hand-eye coordination
- Hand strength
- Dexterity.
STEM
Math – As previously mentioned, you kids can learn all about colors, shapes and making patterns, which are all early math concepts.
When your kids are pouring and scooping the rainbow rice, they are also doing some informal measuring. For example, they will learn that it takes 2 small cups filled with rice to fill up the large bowl.
There are so many different ways to count with this fun sensory activity. Count how many craft sticks you have, how many buttons are on a craft stick or how many spoonfuls of rainbow rice it takes to fill up the cup.
Technology – Cups and spoons are also an example of technology, we use them to hold and transfer liquids. If you have a measuring cup available for your kids to play with, the kind with the numbers written on the side, this is even better. Because it shows your kids how we use this cup to measure a precise volume.
Science – Talk to your kids about the sun and any interesting science facts you know about it. You can discus things like:
- What is the sun?
- Why is the sun important for our planet?
- Where does it go at night?
- Where is the sun in relation to the other planets?
Sun Safety
Playing with this sun sensory activity is a great opportunity to talk to your kids about sun safety. Discuss sunscreen, hats and the other things we do to make sure that we are protected from the sun’s rays.
Get over 80+ pages of Summer themed play based learning activities and craft templates. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.
Are you going to make this Sun Sensory Bin for your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
More Play Based Learning for Kids
60 Summer Activities for Kids
60 Sensory Activities for Kids
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert and enthusiast-based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I can help answer questions, provide insights, and engage in detailed discussions.
Regarding the concepts mentioned in this article, let's break them down and provide information on each one:
Sensory Activities
Sensory activities are designed to engage and stimulate the senses, such as touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. These activities are often used to promote sensory integration, which is the process of organizing sensory information from the environment and the body. Sensory activities can be beneficial for children's development, as they provide opportunities for exploration, learning, and sensory regulation.
Summer Themed Sensory Activities
Summer themed sensory activities are sensory play experiences that incorporate elements related to the summer season. These activities often involve materials and themes associated with summer, such as water, sand, ice, or nature. They can be a fun and engaging way for children to explore and learn about the summer season while stimulating their senses.
Sensory Bin
A sensory bin is a container or tray filled with various materials that provide sensory experiences for children. The materials can include items with different textures, colors, shapes, and sizes. Sensory bins are often used in sensory play activities to promote sensory exploration, fine motor skills development, and imaginative play.
Rainbow Rice
Rainbow rice is a sensory material made by coloring rice grains with different colors. It is a popular material for sensory play activities, as it provides a visually appealing and tactile experience. Rainbow rice can be used in sensory bins, as a filler for containers, or for various sensory play ideas.
Craft Sticks
Craft sticks, also known as popsicle sticks or ice cream sticks, are small wooden sticks commonly used in arts and crafts projects. They are versatile and can be used for various creative activities, such as building structures, making puppets, or decorating objects. In the context of the Sun Sensory Bin activity mentioned in the article, craft sticks are used as the rays of the sun, with small items glued onto them to provide different textures.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills refer to the coordination and control of small muscles in the hands and fingers. Developing fine motor skills is important for tasks that require precise movements, such as writing, drawing, buttoning clothes, or using utensils. Engaging in activities that involve grasping, manipulating, and coordinating small objects, like the craft sticks and rainbow rice in the Sun Sensory Bin activity, can help children develop their fine motor skills.
Math and Literacy Centers
Math and literacy centers are educational activities designed to promote learning in specific areas, such as mathematics and language skills. These centers often involve hands-on, interactive, and play-based activities that engage children in learning concepts related to math and literacy. The Summer Activity Pack mentioned in the article is a resource that provides math and literacy centers, fine motor activities, and arts and crafts templates aligned with preschool learning standards.
Sensory Integration
Sensory integration is the process by which the brain organizes and makes sense of sensory information from the environment and the body. It involves the integration of sensory input from different senses, such as touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. Sensory integration plays a crucial role in a child's development, as it helps them regulate their responses to sensory stimuli, develop body awareness, and engage in meaningful activities.
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
STEM refers to the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education focuses on integrating these disciplines to promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. In the context of the Sun Sensory Bin activity, children can engage in informal STEM learning by exploring concepts related to colors, shapes, patterns, measuring, and even basic scientific facts about the sun.
Sun Safety
Sun safety refers to the practices and precautions taken to protect oneself from the harmful effects of the sun's rays. This can include wearing sunscreen, hats, and protective clothing, seeking shade, and avoiding excessive sun exposure. Engaging in the Sun Sensory Bin activity can provide an opportunity to discuss sun safety with children and raise awareness about the importance of protecting their skin from the sun.
I hope this information helps! If you have any more questions or need further clarification, feel free to ask.
