Since her occupational therapist appointments were out of the question during most of the COVID-19 pandemic and her Montessori zoom sessions were a complete disaster — have you ever tried to keep a 22-month-old engaged for more than three minutes? — I had to find ways to continue her sensory discoveries on my own. Thankfully, within the first day of searching, I discovered sensory bins. Sensory bins are plastic tubs or large containers filled with materials, objects and toys that are carefully selected to stimulate the senses. Commonly composed of water beds, paper, kinetic or "slimy" sand and water, these bins help your child overcome their aversion to different textures and materials in a safe and fun environment.

I love how this Rainbow Salt Writing Tray from Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails combines a sensory and fine motor activity! Set each color on a plate or cookie sheet to dry about 1-2 hours. The kids love making the rainbow rice with me and watching as it dries – such a good lesson in delayed gratification. Time to use rainbow rice with toddlers These Rainbow Spring Sensory Paints from Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails are both scented and textured. So many ways to enjoy it! If you have larger objects or just a small amount of colorful ones, start with a basic base. Dried beans, lentils, undyed rice, plain noodles. Use those as your main component and add in the rainbow items. There is no “activity” here – no right or wrong. Let them explore, create, imagine, and learn from this beautiful rice.Rainbow rice will last YEARS (and I mean YEARS). Rainbow rice with toddlers will always be a favorite We all need to do our bit, and these recycling bins make sure you don’t forget. We’ve got some smart designs for keeping your food, metal, glass and general waste separate, so all you need to do is put them in their proper outside bins when they get full. Add the food coloring of your choosing. The more you put in, the brighter and more vibrant the result will be. Pom poms/cotton balls: my kids love working with pom poms! We used white pom poms to represent the clouds and some blue pom poms for raindrops. I have way too many pom pom sets to be sure which ones I used but these large pom pomsare a good starter option! You can also use cotton balls for the clouds if you have some. ThisRainbow Spaghetti Sensory Tub from One Perfect Day is like a kid magnet. It's hard for little ones to keep their hands off the stuff!

Rice is excellent for scooping, transferring, and pouring. (Using measuring cups is perfect for this!) These are practical life skills. Repeat for as many colors as you like, just stay within the 1:1 ratio of vinegar to rice (this helps preserve the rice, bind the color so nothing gets on hands, and keep the bugs away). Kids are so smart. They understand rules and boundaries, as long as we are firm, clear, and consistent with them. Removing the bin sends a powerful message: When my grown up sets a boundary, I need to play within that.I know it’s not visible in my photos, but add a beach towel under the sensory bin for an extra layer of protection and to further illustrate where the boundary of this bin is.

Double pedal bins are really handy for separating your recycling – put your cardboard in one and glass in the other, and you’ll save yourself a job later, and never forget to split your rubbish.

More Sensory Activities

I aim to do water play outside whenever possible, and rice is great outdoors too. Inside the house, I like to do our sensory play in the kitchen. The floor is easy to clean. Even kids without such an aversion can benefit. “Children, especially young children, learn through the exploration of the environment," says Natalie DeLaCroix-Roy Ang, O.T.D., O.T.R., director of occupational therapy at Platt College in California. "Exploration of textures, shapes, scents and colors teaches them about their world. The world can be a frightening, threatening place when a child does not understand what he/she is experiencing. It’s like getting dropped off in a foreign country and being overwhelmed by the unfamiliar sounds, foods and customs. Sensory bins make novel sensations safe and familiar.” They learn to keep food on the table at dinner, water in the tub at bath time, and rice inside a sensory bin. This rice lasts FOREVER Personally, I use old rinsed out coffee cans. I know, it’s kind of old school. But why not reuse what you have?