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Sensory bins invoke a lot of questions like where do you find the containers, what items do you use for bases, and what do you actually put in a sensory bin. Today I’m going to share with you a huge list of 50+ edible bases for sensory bins.
First what exactly is a sensory bin? In a nutshell, a sensory bin is a safe way for children to explore objects with their hands. Sensory bins allow for tactile and visual exploration in a contained area. Sensory bins can also include the other sense by being edible (gustatory), having a scent (olfactory), or making noise (auditory).
50+ Edible Bases for Sensory Bins
These 50+ Edible Bases for Sensory Bins are meant for kids to touch, taste, and smell. When using any of theses bases with kids under 3, please watch them carefully. Exercise caution with the edible bases that could pose a choking hazard. Some ways to help prevent choking are cutting into smaller pieces, smashing round shaped foods, and watching the children carefully.
Fruits:
- Applesauce
- Dried fruit – raisins, cranberries, dates, etc
- Frozen fruit – Quartered strawberries, mango chunks, etc
- Fresh fruit – berries, oranges, cranberries, etc
Grains:
- Bread pieces
- Cereals – alphabet shaped, o-shaped like Cheerios or Fruit Loops, flaked like Frosted Flakes or Special K, Mini-Wheaties, Cocoa Pebbles, etc
- Dirt edible – or just use a cake mix
- Flours like almond, coconut, white, wheat, etc
- Mud edible – or just use a cake mix without eggs
- Oats
- Popcorn – popped or unpoped kernels
- Pasta – dried or cooked like spaghetti, rotini, bowties, etc
- Qunioa uncooked or cooked
- Quinoa flakes
- Rice cooked or uncooked
Liquids:
- Water
- Kool-aid colored water – don’t add sugar, lots of water
- Oil – coconut, canola, etc
- Juice – apple, grape, etc
- Ice
- Ice – colored (just add a Kool-aid packet or two to the water before freezing)
Sweets:
- Candy – Skittles, M&Ms, Starburst, Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie rolls, licorice, etc
- Chocolate (melted)
- Chocolate chips
- Pudding
- Sugar – powdered, brown, etc
- Tapioca pearls
- Gelatin like Jell-o
- Jelly or jams
- Jelly beans
- Whipped cream
- Yogurt
Vegetables:
- Beans – dried or canned
- Lentils – dried or cooked
- Peas – dried, frozen, canned
- Vegetables – canned, frozen, or raw & cut up – corn, carrots, green beans, etc
- Zoodles (zucchini noodles)
- Hashbrowns
- Potato flakes
- Soup – tomato, minestrone, etc
Others:
- Nuts
- Seeds – Pumpkin, sesame, sunflower
- Coconut – Unsweetened shredded or flaked
- Herbs – dried or fresh
Be sure to stop by my Homeschool Sensory Exploration page where I link all of our sensory bins. And if you are looking for more homeschool activities, make sure you check out my Homeschool page which contains links to our book lists, crafts, and math & science.
Have a great day!
Brandi
This post may or may not contain referral links. Please read my disclosure policy here.
Looking for more fun sensory bins? Check out my Homeschool: Sensory Exploration board on Pinterest!
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