It’s that time of year when it starts to get cold, the snow falls, and we spend more time indoors. This can make for a long and dreary winter season. But don’t let this discourage you!
Winter is also a great time for sensory activities that will keep your kids entertained and active while helping them learn at the same time.
Notice: This post contains affiliate links. To learn more, read our Disclaimer Here.
With these 21 fun winter sensory activities, you’ll have lots of ideas that’ll keep them smiling! From making frozen slime and playing in bins with fluffy cotton balls and sparkly snowflakes, your child will love exploring their senses in these winter-inspired activities.
21 Winter-Themed Sensory Bin Ideas
1. Snow Sensory Bottle
This sensory bottle helps little ones enjoy a calming experience while they enjoy a glittery winter wonderland in a bottle! Snow Sensory Bottle is the perfect way to add some magic and sparkle to your home this holiday season.
Also, you don’t want to miss out on these vibrant and mesmerizing sensory bottles!
2. Melted Snowman Sensory Activity
Stuck inside during those cold winter days? No problem! Make this melted snowman sensory activity and bring the magic of snow days inside! Your kiddo will love getting messy from the warmth of their home.
When you are finished, try out one of these fun snowman crafts!
Related winter craft ideas:
- How To Make Coffee Filter Snowflakes With Markers
- 20 Wonderful Winter Nature Crafts for Kids
- 20 Printable Christmas Crafts Kids Can Make
- 20 Handmade Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make
3. How to Make Fake Snow
When it comes to making fun sensory bins, nothing beats this fake snow tutorial! Using everyday items, you’ll create a smooth DIY snow mixture that will give kids hours of entertainment.
You only need simple ingredients, such as cornstarch, conditioner, and some imagination. Get ready for some serious fun! So what are you waiting for? Give this fake snow a try!
4. Hot Chocolate Playdough
Playdough is one of the best materials for sensory play! And what kid doesn’t love some delicious hot chocolate? Well, now you can have the best of both worlds! This easy homemade recipe shows you how to make hot chocolate playdough for some delicious sensory play time!
5. Preschool Snow and Ice Cube Sensory Bin
Encourage your little ones to explore and strengthen their sensory skills using this eye-catching snow and ice cube sensory bin! With these eye-popping colors, this cold sensory bin might easily become one of your child’s favorites.
6. How to Make Snow Dough
Capture your kid’s imagination and attention with this awesome snow playdough! Perfect for sensory play and exploration, this snow playdough homemade recipe is easy to make and budget-friendly!
Don’t miss out on the ultimate snowball maker tool kit for endless fun with your sensory snow! Grab yours now, and get ready to make some epic snowballs!
7. Winter Sensory Bin
Whether you’re looking for fun indoor winter activities for your kids or just some easy sensory bin ideas, this winter-themed sensory bin made of pretend snow checks all the boxes.
8. Frozen Elsa Slime
If your kids are mini-fans of Elsa from Frozen at home, this sparkly slime will surely be a big hit at home!
9. Polar Bear Sensory Bin
Dive into the wild world of polar bears with this adorable sensory bin and invite your kids to a spectacular experience in this magical polar land! Grab these fun artic figurines and watch their imaginations soar as they explore the icy snow, water, and ice landscape!
With bright colors and fascinating shapes, these polar bear figurines will bring hours of creative play.
10. Snowman Sensory Squish Bag
Add a little extra something to your sensory bins collection with this adorable squishy bag idea. You can make this slime in no time, thanks to a zip-top bag and lots of fun items like pom-poms and glittery!
11. Fluffy Snowman Slime
This fluffy snowman-inspired slime recipe is easy to make and needs only a few simple ingredients. With these simple steps, kids can help out and learn a little about the science behind slime!
When they’re done, store it in a zip-tight container so it stays good all winter!
12. Hot Chocolate Cloud Dough
Try a hot chocolate fun spin on the classic cloud dough recipe. Your little ones will love crumbling, kneading, and digging into this super soft and airy dough!
Grab some fun winter-themed figurines to extend their playtime with their cloud dough. With a wide variety of adorable penguins, reindeer, and snowflakes, they’ll be able to create snow-covered landscapes and icy structures that come alive with their imaginations.
The perfect way to celebrate the winter season!
13. Painting Snow
Use this fun snow painting activity to encourage your kids to express their creativity while improving their sensory skills!
14. Winter Nature Sensory Bin with Cloud Dough
This adorable nature sensory bin is such a cute idea to recreate at home! Preschoolers can immerse themselves in nature through a sensory bin. The best? This sensory bin has an excellent snow cloud dough recipe to add that winter sparkle to this nature activity!
15. Penguin Sensory Play
Have little penguin lovers at home? Then, this cute penguin sensory play bin is just what you’re looking for. Using salt Epsom as the snowflakes, this bin has tons of different pretend play options that your kids will love to discover.
16. Insta Snow Winter Sensory Play
Sensory play can be an amazing tool to teach young minds color theory and science in a hands-on way, and this cute winter sensory play can do just that!
17. Snowman Sensory Bottle
This is a great indoor calming sensory activity. Kids will love watching the glittery water swirling around inside this Snowman Sensory Bottle!
18. Winter Play Dough Recipe
Enhance early childhood skills in a fun-filled way by making this icy-themed play dough! This playdough no-cook recipe is an easy and super cute version. Kids will have lots of fun playing with this snowy dough!
19. Hot Chocolate Soap Foam Sensory Play
A fantastic recipe for sensory play, this frothy chocolate soap foam will delight your kids! The best? You can whip this foamy soap up in a few minutes and start having fun!
20. I Spy Winter Wonderland Sensory Bag
This sensory bag is a wonderful, mess-free option when it comes to sensory activities! It helps children build their cognitive skills and explore their curiosity as they play. Now let’s see what you spy in your I Spy bag!
21. Arctic Sensory Bin for Preschoolers
Winter is the perfect time for this mess-free, arctic-themed sensory bag. You can switch up some items in this sensory bin and create different themes depending on your children’s latest craze.
We love adding deer, wolves, polar bears, and such to ours! Kids will have a blast with these fun winter-themed sensory bins!
by Fun-a-Day
Winter Sensory Bin Ideas – Summary
Winter sensory bins provide a magical avenue for children to engage in immersive, hands-on play that entertains and fosters essential developmental skills. These carefully curated winter bins filled with textures like snow, glittering ornaments, and pinecones offer a multi-sensory experience that stimulates creativity, fine motor skills, and cognitive development.
As the little ones explore the winter wonderland within the confines of a sensory bin, they not only build a connection with the season but also enhance their sensory perception and imagination. Winter sensory bins serve as a delightful and educational resource, making the chilly season a time of joyous exploration for young minds.
So, let the winter adventures begin as children dive into these captivating sensory bins, creating memories and learning through play in the frosty enchantment of winter.
If you enjoyed this sensory activity, save it for later and follow us on Pinterest for more fun ideas.
Other fun winter crafts:
- Best Winter Books for Preschoolers
- 20 Easy Elf Crafts for Kids To Make This Christmas
- 27 Fun Reindeer Crafts for Kids
- The Rainbow Paper Craft Your Kids Will Obsess Over
