O is for Ocean Sensory Bin

Welcome to Alphabet Sensory Activities, hosted by The Jenny Evolution along with their partner site The Sensory Spectrum! 26 amazing bloggers have gotten together to share a sensory experience based on a letter of the alphabet every day this month.

Today, I am sharing our letter O is for Ocean Sensory Bin.  A few years ago, we went to an aquarium while we were on vacation.  My son loved watching and learning all about the fish and animals that live in the ocean.  Since then, we have visited many aquariums and zoos, started our own salt water fish tank, and continued to learn all about sea animals and plants.

Whenever I plan sensory activities for kids, I always combine things that they avoid with things that they enjoy.  My son avoids tactile activities, so I picked a theme that I know he would be interested in investigating.

Supplies: 

• Plastic Container
• Sand
• Water
• Shells
• Sea Animals and Fish
• Artificial Plant or Seaweed

Directions:

1. Put a layer of play sand on the bottom of a plastic container.
2. Add just enough water so that the sand is covered.  If you use too much, the water will be cloudy and it will be hard to see the other items in the container.
3. Add shells, plastic sea animals, and an artificial plant or seaweed.  You could also include sea glass, live rock, and coral.
4. Let your child explore and learn.

Sensory Bins are entertaining, tactile sensory activities for kids.  The O is for Ocean Sensory Bin is a fun way for children to experience and learn about sea animals and other things found in the ocean.