10 Super Sensory Bin Ideas Your Kids Will Love

Sensory bins are the perfect way to keep toddlers, preschoolers, and Kindergarteners engaged and learning—and Playfoam Pluffle™ is the perfect sensory bin filler! With so many vibrant colors to choose from, this magical, mixable, stimulating substance is super for sifting, sorting, squishing, and squashing. Best of all, it’s non-toxic and never dries out, so the sensory fun never ends. Below, the Experts in Play are sharing some of our favorite Playfoam Pluffle-based sensory bin ideas from Instagram. Choose your favorite theme today, then try another to keep your bin fresh and your little one learning!

If Your Little One Loves…

Aquatic Adventures - @Play_aplenty  knows! Playfoam Pluffle makes the perfect sensory bin filler! Pour some ocean-blue Pluffle into your bin, add some cool sea creatures, and take a sensory swim, sifting, sorting, digging, and burying in the no-mess “sand”.

Dogs – We’ve gone dog-gone crazy for @findthelittlemind’s sensory bin, packed with green Playfoam Pluffle grass and four-legged figurines! Kids can hide the dogs’ toys and treats, then use kid-safe tweezers to find them, building fine motor skills as they play.

Busy Bees – Yellow Playfoam Pluffle is perfect for a bee-themed sensory bin, like this one from @playingwithpurpose, filled with play bees, hives, and flowers and fun scoopers and bins.

Unicorns – If your little one loves all things fantastical, fill a bin with purple Playfoam Pluffle; add beads, gems, shells, sequins, and unicorn toys; and encourage your kiddo to let their imagination take over like @twolittlebaos!

Princesses – Think pink like @thesensoryadventures ! Start with a layer of fluffy, flowing, bright pink Playfoam Pluffle, then add as many pink props as you have around the house. See if your sweetie can remove them with two hands, one hand, two fingers, one finger, a scoop, or a pair of tongs.

Dinosaurs – Create your own dinosaur dig with a bin full of Playfoam Pluffle and prehistoric props like rocks, sticks, blocks, and dino action figures. Let your little one mix them up, then see if they can sort them into piles of like items. We dig this idea, @kidssensoryplay!

Fun on the Farm – We love this down-home idea from @frenchfrenzytpt! Kids will be working sun up ‘til sun down on this farm-themed bin filled with Playfoam Pluffle “grass,” animal figurines, and mini farm tools.

Outer Space – Launch your little ones into a space-themed world of fine motor and sensory skill learning! Provide black Playfoam Pluffle and another filler, like dyed chickpeas, and a spoon for mixing. Then add star-shaped cookie cutters, cups, and scoopers and fill each one, scoop by scoop. Far out, @kidssensoryplay!

Playful Patterns – Build those critical pre-math patterning skills with a sensory bin full of Playfoam Pluffle and colorful shaped pasta! Set up a pattern and walk your kiddo through it, out loud (think “red, yellow, red, yellow”). Then encourage them to continue the pattern by adding the next piece of pasta. When you’re done, mix them into the Pluffle base, pick them out one by one, and sort them into piles by color. Thanks for the fun ideas, @playtime_with_immie!

Looking for a sensory bin experience with little to no set up time? Try the Playfoam Pluffle Sensory Station, an all-in-one, self-contained sensory set including a reusable bin, two colors of Playfoam Pluffle, a roller, scooper tongs, and cup. Little ones can scoop, roll, dig, and pour, enjoying the tactile sensation of Pluffle as they build critical fine motor skills.