Play Ideas
I hate to admit that I get overwhelmed with my children's playing, but I do. I worry about their safety and hate the clean-up. I am often tired and struggle to wrap my mind around keeping them busy in the moment. So, this page is truly for my own reference, as I find it much easier to respond, when I can just go back to a plan. Here is my personal reference for play ideas I want to do or want to repeat and how I rotate activities and toys to keep them "novel" (a key ingredient to keeping kids attention).
Sensory Bins and Busy Activities are the cheapest and best non-active toys because they are open-ended and allow maximum manipulation, which children of all ages enjoy. Below are ones that I like and based on things that I have. A sensory bin distinguishes itself from a busy bin by having a base medium that can be poured, scooped, etc. A busy bin just has components for open-ended play. A busy bin is less mess potentially than a sensory bin. Both bins may have a purpose or theme and lend themselves to exploration.
Sensory Bin Options for Toddlers
Aside from a traditional bin or sensory table, it's also helpful to place toddlers in a kiddie pool to do sensory activities. Below are some bases that are more safe for toddlers. Then, just add ladles, measuring cups, containers, tweezers, scoopers. And make it a theme by adding toddler-safe figurines, like their chunky puzzle pieces, stuffed animals, and +2-inch learning items (shapes, numbers, letters, beanbags).
- ball pit balls
- fabric squares
- 2-inch pom poms
- duplo legos
- pool noodle pieces
Sensory Bin Options for Ages 3+
Foam Blocks
Buttons
Beads
Pom Poms
Magnetic
Kinetic Sand
Water Beads
Cotton Balls
Treasure Coins
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Foam Blocks
BASE: Foam Blocks
TOOLS: salad tongs, spatula, tweezers
PROPS: ice tray, balance scale or weight scale, small plate, giant pill box, bowl or bin, push container
ADD: giant (fat) popsicle sticks or rulers, mini cars, weights
OTHER: Make a catapult with a ruler over a foam block. Make a stacking tower with foam blocks and rulers.
TOOLS: salad tongs, spatula, tweezers
PROPS: ice tray, balance scale or weight scale, small plate, giant pill box, bowl or bin, push container
ADD: giant (fat) popsicle sticks or rulers, mini cars, weights
OTHER: Make a catapult with a ruler over a foam block. Make a stacking tower with foam blocks and rulers.
Buttons
BASE: Buttons and laces
TOOLS: measuring cups, scoop, tweezers
PROPS: plastic basket with holes, push container for buttons
ADD: lacing shapes, giant beads, wooden dolls or bobbins (for wrapping)
OTHER: Connect giant beads to tell a story or attach beads to lacing cards
TOOLS: measuring cups, scoop, tweezers
PROPS: plastic basket with holes, push container for buttons
ADD: lacing shapes, giant beads, wooden dolls or bobbins (for wrapping)
OTHER: Connect giant beads to tell a story or attach beads to lacing cards
Beads
BASE: Beads
TOOLS: plastic eggs, measuring spoons, measuring cups, funnels, scoopers, laces
ADD:
TOOLS: plastic eggs, measuring spoons, measuring cups, funnels, scoopers, laces
ADD:
Pom Poms
BASE: 1-inch Pom Poms
TOOLS: scoopers, tweezers, measuring cups, whisk
PROPS: plastic basket with holes, push containers, paper towel and TP rolls with blue tape, foam board stand, salad spinner, muffin pan or snack tray
TOOLS: scoopers, tweezers, measuring cups, whisk
PROPS: plastic basket with holes, push containers, paper towel and TP rolls with blue tape, foam board stand, salad spinner, muffin pan or snack tray
Magnetic
BASE: Magnetic Small Things - paper clips, metal-ring bingo chips, washers, metal nuts
TOOLS: Magnet wands, horseshoe magnets, container for filling, fishing pole
PROPS: Metal pan with tape maze
ADD: Magnets (ABC, Numbers, Fun), Magnatiles, Fish magnets
BONUS GAMES: Go Fishing, Magnetic Maze (draw maze on paper, then guide paper clip through maze with magnet underneath paper, I like to laminate the paper)
TOOLS: Magnet wands, horseshoe magnets, container for filling, fishing pole
PROPS: Metal pan with tape maze
ADD: Magnets (ABC, Numbers, Fun), Magnatiles, Fish magnets
BONUS GAMES: Go Fishing, Magnetic Maze (draw maze on paper, then guide paper clip through maze with magnet underneath paper, I like to laminate the paper)
Kinetic Sand
BASE: Kinetic Sand
TOOLS: Sand molds, rolling pin, spoons
ADD: Figurines, shells, treasure coins, ants and critters, silk plants
TOOLS: Sand molds, rolling pin, spoons
ADD: Figurines, shells, treasure coins, ants and critters, silk plants
Water Beads
BASE: Water Beads
TOOLS: Scoopers, ladel, measuring cups, funnels
PROPS: containers for filling (small and large openings)
ADD: sea and pond figurines
TOOLS: Scoopers, ladel, measuring cups, funnels
PROPS: containers for filling (small and large openings)
ADD: sea and pond figurines
Cotton Balls
BASE: Cotton Balls
TOOLS: tweezers, scoopers
PROPS: clear container with face, white styrofoam blocks, ice cube tray
ADD: airplanes, foam snowflakes, owl and mice, TP rolls, arctic figurines, bird figurines, rainbows, raindrops
TOOLS: tweezers, scoopers
PROPS: clear container with face, white styrofoam blocks, ice cube tray
ADD: airplanes, foam snowflakes, owl and mice, TP rolls, arctic figurines, bird figurines, rainbows, raindrops
Treasure Coins
BASE: Treasure Coins
TOOLS: scooper, tweezers, spatula
PROPS: piggy bank, treasure chest, TP and paper towel rolls, combination lock or lock and key
OTHER: Make coin rubbings (need crayons and paper). Make coin towers using TP and PT rolls.
TOOLS: scooper, tweezers, spatula
PROPS: piggy bank, treasure chest, TP and paper towel rolls, combination lock or lock and key
OTHER: Make coin rubbings (need crayons and paper). Make coin towers using TP and PT rolls.
Fall
This is a fall or farm animal-themed bin with a lot of options.
BASE: bird seed or corn kernels
TOOLS: funnels, containers, ladle, measuring cups, scoopers
ADD: farm figurines, barn, foam pumpkins, foam apples, silk leaves, pine cones, twigs, backyard birds
BASE: bird seed or corn kernels
TOOLS: funnels, containers, ladle, measuring cups, scoopers
ADD: farm figurines, barn, foam pumpkins, foam apples, silk leaves, pine cones, twigs, backyard birds
Winter
This is a winter, forest, or arctic-themed nature bin.
BASE: cotton balls and glass gems
TOOLS:
ADD: arctic animal figurines, forest animal figurines, foam snowflakes, foam mittens, pine cones
BASE: cotton balls and glass gems
TOOLS:
ADD: arctic animal figurines, forest animal figurines, foam snowflakes, foam mittens, pine cones
Spring
This is a spring, nest, garden, or bug-themed nature bin.
BASE: plastic grass, dry black beans, or hydrated horse stall pellets
TOOLS: plastic eggs, tweezers, funnels, plastic shovel, vase, planter
ADD: garden bug figurines, baby animal figurines, backyard bird figurines, nest, foam veggies, silk flowers
BASE: plastic grass, dry black beans, or hydrated horse stall pellets
TOOLS: plastic eggs, tweezers, funnels, plastic shovel, vase, planter
ADD: garden bug figurines, baby animal figurines, backyard bird figurines, nest, foam veggies, silk flowers
Summer
This is a summer, beach, ocean, pond theme nature bin.
BASE: water, kinetic sand with glass gems, dry black beans, or water beads
TOOLS: funnels, scoopers, ladle, molds, measuring cups, sponges
ADD: toy cars or pets (washing station with added dish soap), fruits, sea animal figurines, sea shells, pond animal figurines, fish, boats
BASE: water, kinetic sand with glass gems, dry black beans, or water beads
TOOLS: funnels, scoopers, ladle, molds, measuring cups, sponges
ADD: toy cars or pets (washing station with added dish soap), fruits, sea animal figurines, sea shells, pond animal figurines, fish, boats
Busy Bin Options for Ages 3+
Marbles
Bubbles
Play Dough
Flowers
Spinners
Balloons
Felts
Building Toys
Dominoes
Water Wow
Themed Mats
Figurines
Puzzles
Tab Title
Marbles
Bubbles
Play Dough
Play Dough, molds, cutters, rolling pin, kiddie knife and fork, noodle maker, finish-a-picture mats
Flowers
Silk Flowers, Pipe Cleaners and Plastic Bugs, Colander (upside down), Foam Block
Spinners
Balloons
Felts
Building Toys
Dominoes
Water Wow
Themed Mats
Figurines
Puzzles
Tab Title