No Prep Sensory Bin Fillers for Kids

We know, we know. Sensory bins are SO GOOD for kids. But sometimes getting them set up feels overwhelming. It’s why we created this list of no prep sensory bin fillers for kids, so they’ll get to start playing sooner! 

My son is a sensory seeker. That means he wants LOTS of sensory input, pretty much ALL of the time.

We spend hours outside, at the park, and using his body in big ways. But we can’t be on the go all the time, so we needed a new solution for sensory experiences at home.

Sensory bins are definitely the easiest way to meet this need. There are tons of adorable ideas on Pinterest (we’ve even come up with a few cute ideas on our own), but I don’t always have time to be all EXTRA about it.

So we started keeping it simple. This list of no prep sensory bin fillers for kids is an easy way to meet their needs, while getting you into play sooner (with less work for you!)

various sensory bin fillers; text: 10 no prep sensory bin fillers

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Why are sensory bins so good for kids?

It’s kind of ridiculous just how good sensory bins are for kids. You  might see it as playing (or, if we’re being honest, just kids making a mess). But there are SO many developmental benefits for kiddos.

kids playing in sensory bin

Sensory bins provide a lot of benefits for kids. Here are some ways that this sensory bins could benefit your kiddos:

  • Exposure to different textures and temperatures
  • Helps calm and soothe busy bodies and brains
  • Provides sensory input to strengthen propriocetpive and vestibular senses
  • Improves hand strength
  • Improves fine motor skills
  • Allows low-stress practice with hand eye coordination
  • Allows kids to practice measurement and capacity
  • Provides opportunity for language development

The Trick to Easy Sensory Bin Fillers for Kids

The best way to find no-prep sensory bin fillers is to simply look around your house. Your pantry, bathroom cabinet, or even your backyard has SO many opportunities to keep your kids engaged.

Keep in mind- pretty much anything can be a sensory bin filler! Water, rocks, grass- it doesn’t have to be complicated to be good for kids!

Tools to Add to Sensory Bins

The trick for keeping kids engaged in sensory bins? Using fun new tools (and changing them out often!) is the best way to keep kids interested and learning.

dried pasta sensory bin

Here are some ideas for tools to add to your sensory bins:

No Prep Sensory Bin Fillers for Kids:

Shredded Paper

Grab a few bags of shredded paper from the dollar store and stick them in your bin, maybe with some animal figurines. 

shredded paper in sensory bin

Green can be grass, blue can be water, and brown can be dirt (think farms or the like).

Corn Kernels

I’m gonna warn you- these bad boys bounce. Make sure to go over the sensory bin rules first!!

child holding dry corn kernals

BUT. The scoop/pour/filling capability is ENDLESS. It is a cheap sensory bin filler, easy to get a hold of, and since you just open a bag and pour? It’s the easiest to set up.

Dried Beans

Similar to corn kernals, but with less mess! Dried beans come in a variety of colors (black for roads, white for clouds, brown for dirt) and have endless potential.

multicolored dry beans

Grab a few bags at the grocery store, pour them into a bin, and you’re ready! We love to pair these with our mini construction trucks. Total hit!

Related Post: Construction Themed Sensory Bin with Mini Dump Trucks

Rice

Again, watch out- there’s decent scatter potential here. But rice is just SO fun to run your fingers through. It’s great for scooping and pouring, and figures or toys move through it easily.

toddler playing with dryed dyed rice

If you have a kiddo that struggles with utensils, dried rice is a fantastic way to practice using a spoon, too!

Rocks/Gravel

Grab a bag at the dollar store, or scoop some up outside. Kids LOVE when you add “real” materials to their sensory bin.

rocks in various colors and sizes

These are great with construction toys, small world play, and sorting (by size, color, etc).

Water

It really doesn’t get easier than this! Fill a sensory bin with water, throw in some tools or toys, and let the kids go!

sensory bin full of water

We like to make a lemonade sensory bin for some dramatic play, or give the kids syringes and eye droppers to let them explore.

Shaving Cream

Get ready for mess! This one is best done is a bathtub, so you can rinse everything done.

shaving cream

BUT shaving cream is excellent for hide-and-seek play with plastic figurines, or to represent water or clouds.

Flour

We played with flour as part of Busy Toddler’s Playing Preschool unit on Bread. It was suprisingly fun, and not nearly as messy as I’d have thought!

toddler playing with flour sensory bin

Flour has such a unique consistency, and scoops and pours differently than other materials. My son couldn’t believe I was letting him play with it, so I definitely got fun mom credit for this one!

Peas

Yep, you heard me! Grab a few bags of frozen peas, and let little ones scoop, pour, and play.

This is a great one for little ones who put things in their mouths (thaw first if necessary!) and gives lots of chances to scoop and pour.

frozen green peas

It also gives experience with different temperatures, and gives kids a non-threatening way to interact with veggies.

Dried Chickpeas

These are slightly more expensive, as far as sensory bin fillers go, but their shape is so unique that kids love them.

dried chickpeas

We like to pair these with empty recyclable containers, and challenge kids to see how many scoops it takes to fill them up.

Take it Up a Notch with Sensory Bin Filler Recipes

Playdough

Make a batch or two of playdough! Get kids in on the mixing and pouring with our homemade playdough recipe.

red homemade playdough

You can also experiment with different scents and colors, depending on your child’s interests or the season. We use seasonal smells and colors for our holiday playdough recipes, and they’re all just as easy as whipping up a regular batch.

Slime

You feeling brave? Try this no-fail fluffy slime recipe for kids. It’s super fun, but is best used alone or with playdough tools.

child playing with slime

Rainbow Dyed Rice

Want to take your rice bin up a notch? With just a few drops of food coloring and some rubbing alcohol, you can dye your rice any color you’d like.

dry rice dyed with food coloring

Grab our rainbow dyed rice recipe here!

Dyed Beans or Chickpeas

Turn those dried beans or chickpeas into something a little fancier with our dyed chickpeas recipe.

rainbow dyed chickpeas in a sensory bin

You can dye the beans green to be grass, black for Halloween, or rainbow just for fun!

Oobleck

Easy peasy Oobleck? Yes please!

Just mix two cups of cornstarch with one cup of water. The result is a not-liquid/not-solid concoction that will blow kids’ minds!

Cloud Dough

This two ingredient lavender playdough recipe smells SO yummy and is so darn soft!

child playing with lavender cloud dough

Mix together baby lotion and cornstarch for a fun new playdough recipe that behaves just a little differently than regular playdough (and is a lot easier to make!)

Premade Sensory Bins

Don’t want to deal with figuring out sensory bins all on your own? NO STRESS. You’re still a great mom, even if sensory bins aren’t your thing.

toddlers playing with toy insect sensory bin

If you do want to try sensory bins but want to hit the “easy button,” check out these premade sensory bins that you can find on Amazon:


So there you have it! With not much fuss (but, to be fair, with a little mess) you’ll spend WAY less time prepping sensory bins, and more time enjoying them.

Any other no prep sensory bin fillers we missed? Tell us in the comments- we’d love to add them to the list!

Looking for more sensory fun? Head here next-

Shop our favorite sensory bin supplies here