Winter Sensory Bin- Building a Snowman Activity!

Kids will love getting to build their own snowman in this winter themed sensory bin while strengthening their fine motor skills!

Go on a nature walk and gather some tree twigs for the arms, and tie on a ribbon as the scarf! To add to the winter magic, pour some fake snow in the sensory bin and add in fun winter themed items! We found some adorable mini trees, a mini sled and even threw in some star anise from the spice cabinet to look like snowflakes that paired beautifully with the whole cloves to give the sensory bin that warm holiday smell! 

Why Kids Love Sensory Bins

Sensory bins are amazing because kids can practice independent play while working on all kinds of developmental skills. They’re practicing colors, sorting, and really working on their fine motor skills. This snowman is fun because we grabbed the twigs from my backyard! Which creates another activity even! You can fine tune your sensory bin for different ages too, just make sure anything you add to your bin is age appropriate and safe.

One of the best things about sensory bins is that you can make them custom and specialized for holidays, or you can throw in any random supplies you have laying around. Ladles are great, along with kids cups and other age-appropriate kitchen tools.

Supplies

1. 16 quart storage bin or 28q storage bin (28q is lower profile for younger kids to be able to reach in and play)
2. Fake snow (3 three quart bags)
3. Red Sleigh (Target dollar section) 
4. Mini trees 
5. Small, medium and large styrofoam balls (to build the snowman)
6. Toothpicks 
7. Orange chenille pipe cleaners  (precut for the snowman nose)
8. Ribbon (for the scarf)
9. Tree twigs (for the snowman arms)
10. Whole cloves (for the snowman eyes)
11. Star anise (these are totally optional but look like giant snowflakes)

Making a Snowman

This is such a fun activity because kids get to make their own snow people! Depending on their age an adult should help with the toothpicks to combine the styrofoam balls and make sure nothing goes into the mouths of kiddos.

• Grab three different sized Styrofoam balls and use a toothpick to connect the styrofoam balls together (if you have younger kids you can preassemble the styrofoam balls or offer rounded dowels instead of toothpicks).
• Poke the whole cloves into the small styrofoam as the eyes,
• Then add the orange chenille pipe cleaners for the carrot nose.
• Add a ribbon scarf and twig limbs and Frosty is ready for action!

Storing Your Sensory Bin

To store, we recommend putting all your items together in a ziploc baggie. Keeping the accessories that are winter-specific and that won’t expire together helps so that you can pull them out easily. I like to reuse my bins for other sensory play.

Ideas for Other Things To Add

There are all kinds of fun things you can try with your winter sensory bin, here are a few of our favorites!

• Use pom poms or cotton rounds instead of fake snow.
• Try beans for a different texture.
• Use different items for the eyes.
• Use cloves as buttons too!