Halloween Sensory Play

It occurred to me last week that Aden is at the PERFECT age for sensory play, and I have yet to introduce him to it. Digging and scooping in dry beans and rice used to be one of Tory's favorite indoor activities when she was his age, so I set out to make a Halloween-themed sensory bin both kids would enjoy.

To make a Halloween sensory bin, I procured the following items:

1 lb.  bag of dry white great northern beans
1 lb.  bag of dry black beans
1 lb. bag of red lentils (that really look orange in color)
1 bag plastic spiders
1 bag plastic pumpkins

Target had everything I needed for under $10.

I let Tory dump all the supplies into an oversized Tupperware, and playtime was ready to begin.

The thing is with sensory bins, which I quickly remembered as soon as the kids set into play, is it's messy. Oh, it is messy. The moment you decide to clean the floors - WAIT - and let the kids first have their fun.

Because, fun, they did have.

They dug and scooped, and dug and scooped some more. Tory filled the plastic pumpkins with beans, turning them into shakers and soon Aden followed suit.

Eventually, Aden got a little crazy and started throwing dry beans all over the kitchen. Little rule-follower Tory nearly had a fit! "Aden's making a mess!" she shouted. It's okay, I reassured her. The great thing about dry beans is they sweep up easily.

A little bit of mess for some learning and a lot of Halloween fun. Totally worth it.

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Linking up with Sweet Turtle Soup for a Countdown to Halloween