Over the past couple of years, I have learned a lot about sensory play. From sensory bottles for babies to sensory bins for toddlers and preschoolers, you name it and we’ve tried it. Using tactile sensory activities can help children learn to read, write, understand their body’s senses, and develop fine motor, as well as critical thinking skills. It is especially for those who are tactile learners, and learn best from manipulating objects.

What are sensory bins:

A sensory bin is small, usually plastic, bin or tub with materials inside that stimulate the various senses. Without fully understanding the benefits of sensory play at first, I got drawn to sensory bins as it  was generally easy to clean up, since things would be confined in the bin. But more importantly, I liked how it engaged my children for long periods of time, while keeping their concentration.

How we use sensory bins:

• Introduce a subject
• Bring a subject, or book to life
• Strengthen fine motor skills (pouring, dumping, filling, scooping)
• Learn to share and play together

Hajj inspired Sensory bins:

Introducing subjects like Hajj is always difficult with preschoolers and toddlers. After reading the story of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail, I wanted to introduce some of the Hajj vocabulary and because sensory play is a part of our daily schedule, I thought a hands-on experience will help them really process it.

Muzdalifah inspired Sensory Bin:

You will need:

• A bin: Clear storage container work best
• For the filler: plant soil and pebbles of different sizes (great way to reinforce big, small)
• Fine motor tool: Tweezer (we are using the gator grabber from learning resource)
• Storage: To make it realistic I used sun glasses pouch.

Zam Zam well Inspired Bin:

You will need:

• A bin: Clear storage container work best and hand towel for cleaning up messes
• Fine motor tool: An empty cream/shampoo dispenser (pump bottle)
• Storage: Funnel and small bottles (we used empty smoothie bottles). If you want to have something more realistic, you can use a 1 pint milk container.

Mount Safa and Marwa Inspired Bin:

You will need:

• A bin: Clear storage container
• For the filler: Beans, dried corn, etc. (to signify mount Safa on one end and Marwa on the other)
• Fine motor tool: Scoop (or in my son’s case, a construction truck)
• Activity: Ask your child to line up the beans as well as filling in cups
  

Eidul Adha inspired Sheep farm :

You will need:

• A bin: Clear storage container
• For the filler: shredded paper (for the grass or hay)
• Fine motor tool: Hand scooper (we are using the hand scooper from learning resource)
• Storage: any small container/bucket
• Activity: Ask your child to pick up the wool

So far, the kids are really enjoying these activities, and as you may have guessed it, their favorite sensory bin is the ‘Zam Zam well’. Water is always a big hit 😉 .

Which of the Hajj inspired Sensory bins would your child like the most?

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