15 Fun Winter Sensory Bins Your Kids Will Love

This post shares 15 Winter sensory bins your kids will love.

 

The chilly seasons are upon us and the challenge of keeping your kids entertained isn’t easy. Trying to find activities while indoors can be a big challenge but sensory bins are here to save the day! These bins not only keep your child busy they also helps with fine motor skills, self regulation, and sensory exploration. So, here is my list of Winter sensory bins you and your kids will love.

 

1. Snow Dough

 

 

Snow dough is incredibly soft and only two simple ingredients you’re sure to have on hand!

 

 

You can easily whip up some snow dough in under 5 minutes and it is sure to keep your kids entertained for hours

 

 

The dough is silky smooth and there are so many fun and creative ways to play, shape, and mold it

 

 2. White & Blue Sensory Bin

 

 

This simple winter sensory bin is a quick and easy solution to explore winter through sensory play, without having to rely on using real snow

 

 

 

Simple things such as cotton balls, winter foam shapes, and something to scoop them up with

 

 

3. Gingerbread Sensory Bin

 

 

It’s easy to overthink what to put inside your sensory bins, but the simpler the sensory bin, the more fun your kids will have playing and learning

 

 

 

Fill the bin with brown rice, nutmeg, cookie cutters, pom poms, jingle bells, and much more Christmas themed items!

 

 

 

You can find all of these items for very cheap at your local dollar store once the holiday season is in full swing

 

 

4. Hot Cocoa Sensory Bin

 

 

 

For this sensory bin, you will need Cocoa Puffs or Cocoa Krispies cereal, marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate chips, mugs, spoons, scoops, and more

 

 

 

If completing this hot chocolate sensory bin with older children you can include the free printable hot chocolate recipe templates

 

 

 

Toddlers and preschoolers will love simply making the hot chocolate with the items in the bin. Turn it into a hot chocolate shop, a sensory bin for play,  or even a fun-themed winter snack they can play with

 

 

5. Arctic Habitat Sensory Bin

 

 

 

With just a few supplies you can bring the arctic to you with this fun and innovative sensory bin

 

 

 

Combining the snow dough bin with ice and arctic animals this bin has everything you could want

 

 

 

This opened the door to lots of discussion about the types of animals that live in the Arctic and what their habitat is like

 

 

6. Penguin Sensory Bin

 

 

If blue is your little ones favorite color then this bin is the one for you!

 

 

 

With only 6 supplies you can make this fun penguin sensory bin filled with Styrofoam ice bergs, blue colored rice, and shiny clear gems

 

 

Sprinkle some cotton balls around for fluffy snow. Scatter the clear gems over the bin to represent little chunks of ice floating in the ocean

 

 

7. Winter Snowman Sensory Bin

 

 

Just make up some Insta-Snow(tip: use cold water to make it feel like cold snow!), add some snowman cookie cutters, and then throw in a few small items to make a snowman face with

 

It’s a fun fine motor sensory activity that fits perfectly with any winter or Christmas theme!

 

8.  Christmas Sensory Bin

 

 

This Christmas themed sensory bin is for those of you with holiday obsessed kiddos

 

 

This sensory bin is great as you can add a wide variety of different red and green themed items you have around the house

 

 

Dying your own white rice is a great way to keep the cost down and you’re able to use it over and over

 

9. Sensory Snow Trucks

 

This sensory snow trucks activity is the perfect thing for kids to play with on a cold day, or if you’re just missing the snow!

 

 

 

Wonderful for kiddos that love any types of trucks. Use the snow dough recipe to make the perfect snow

 

 

10. Sparkly Winter Sensory Bin

 

 

 

Fresh fallen snow and frost sparkle were the inspiration for this winter wonderland sensory bin

 

 

 

The addition of the alphabet letters is a fantastic opportunity to also make it educational as well as fun!

 

 

 

Tip: out the soap in the freezer for a bit so that it can feel cold just like real snow

 

 

11. Jello Christmas Grinch Sensory Bin

 

Christmas-themed activities like this sensory bin sprinkle an extra dose of magic into the season

 

 

They let kids dive into festive fun, create joyful memories, and embrace the holiday spirit—all from the comfort of home

 

 

Give them tweezers to start picking out a gem or two, or encourage them to dip their fingers into the gooey mess to find those hidden treasures

 

12. Iceberg Sensory Bin

 

 

These icebergs are completely taste-safe. Making them a suitable sensory play idea for babies, toddlers as well as preschoolers

 

 

You can take this opportunity to discuss how global warming works by adding in warm water and watching the icebergs melt

 

 

Tip: Placing a towel under the table will catch 90% of any accidents and save you a lot of stress

 

13. Rainbow Snow and Ice Cube Sensory Bin

 

This fun ice cube sensory project incorporates the colors of the rainbow, allowing young children to explore touch and sight

 

 

 

Create the snow and ice activity for preschool with water, an ice cube tray, food coloring, and real snow!

 

 

This ice cube sensory table idea provides a great way for students to explore the colors of the rainbow, color mixing, and the scientific process of melting snow and ice

 

15.  Winter in a Bag

 

 

 

Your kiddos will have fun all winter with this easy DIY sensory bag that’s filled with snowy fun!

 

 

Putting sensory ingredients in a bag is an easy way for kids (and parents) to enjoy mess-free sensory play

 

 

Kids can squish, pop, and draw with their fingers in squishy mixtures without needing to be put right into a bath afterwards

 

 

Conclusion: Winter Sensory Bins

 

We hope our list of Winter sensory bins gives you inspiration during the cold and blustery season. It’s always tough during the cold months to keep everyone entertained without screens. Please let us know your favorites in the comments.