Preschoolers and toddlers will enjoy playfully learning all about insects and bugs with this hands-on, easy, and fun bug sensory bin. It’s the perfect insect science activity for spring and summer!
How to Make a Bug Sensory Bin
Beans, such as pinto beans, black beans, and navy beans, are one of my favorite dry fillers for sensory bins!
In this activity, we used pinto beans to recreate an insect habitat. An interactive small-world addition to centers or your insect theme unit, this insect sensory bin is perfect for teaching kids about:
- Parts of an insect
- Habitats
- Life cycles
- Insect “jobs”
- Environmental stewardship
Related: Bird Sensory Bin
Craft Supplies Needed for Insect Sensory Bin
- Plastic bin
- Pinto Beans
- Safari Ltd Insects TOOB
- Mini Bug Hotel
- Stones
- Sticks
- Artificial leaves
- Artificial flowers
- Scoopers
- Mini tongs
- Jumbo tweezers
Directions for Bug Sensory Bin
1. Pour pinto beans into a small plastic bin. We chose pinto beans to emulate the color of dirt. The amount of beans you need depends upon the size of your bin (we like to use clear plastic bins from Target or The Dollar Tree).
2. Tuck artificial leaves and a mini bug hotel into one corner of the sensory bin. The bug hotel is a fun idea from our popular outdoor activity book, Sticks and Stones.
Related: Dinosaur Sensory Bin
3. Scatter stones and twigs around the insect sensory bin.
Related: Water Sensory Bin
4. Arrange artificial flowers and toy insects around the sensory bin.
Related: Garden Sensory Bin
5. Your bug sensory bin is complete! Some playful learning ideas include:
- Pouring
- Scooping
- Digging
- Fine motor skills work
- Sensory play
- Imaginative play
- Insect identification
- Read about insects
- Using a magnifying glass
Take it Further
Shared below are enrichment ideas that pair well with this sensory bin activity:
- Purchase a magazine subscription to learn more about insects and animals
- Invite a local entomologist to your classroom
- Visit your local library to check out books about bugs
- Raise ladybugs
- Make bug hotels
- Plant a pollinator garden
- Raise butterflies
- Go on a “bug hunt” outdoors
More Bug Themed Activities for Kids
- Paper Plate Ladybug Craft
- Paper Bee Craft
- Wiggling Paper Caterpillar Craft
- Fluttering Paper Butterfly Craft
- Easy and Fun Insect Crafts for Kids
- Ladybug Letter Puzzles from Fun-A-Day
Bug Sensory Bin
Preschoolers and toddlers will enjoy playfully learning all about insects and bugs with this easy and fun bug sensory bin!
Materials
- Plastic bin
- Pinto Beans
- Safari Ltd Insects TOOB
- Mini Bug Hotel
- Stones
- Sticks
- Artificial leaves
- Artificial flowers
- Scoopers
- Mini tongs
- Jumbo tweezers
Instructions
- Pour pinto beans into a small plastic bin. We chose pinto beans to emulate the color of dirt.
- Tuck artificial leaves and a mini bug hotel into one corner of the sensory bin.
- Scatter stones and twigs around the insect sensory bin.
- Arrange artificial flowers and toy insects around the sensory bin.
- Your bug sensory bin is complete!
Notes
Playful learning ideas include:
- Pouring
- Scooping
- Digging
- Fine motor work
- Imaginative play
- Insect identification
- Read about insects
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Learning Resources Jumbo Tweezers, Sorting & Counting, Homeschool, Toddler Fine Motor Skill Development, Set of 13 -
Iberia Pinto Beans 4 lb., Bulk Pinto Beans, Long Shelf Life Pinto Beans with Easy Storage, Rich in Fiber & Potassium, Low Calorie, Low Fat Food
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Safari Ltd Insects TOOB – Comes With 14 Toy Figurines – Including Caterpillar, Dragonfly, Centipede, Grasshopper, Ladybug, Spider, Butterflies, Bee, Scorpion, Praying Mantis, And More – Ages 3 And Up
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