Apples are a favorite fruit around here. I mean we go through a lot of apples here in a week. Thankfully, our neighbor's apple tree hangs over into our yard and she lets us pick as many apples as we want in the fall.
So, naturally, we love apple season.
And a perfect way to celebrate apple season with your toddlers and preschoolers is with this simple apple sensory bin with water.
It's a super simple sensory "soup" activity that feels just as cool and refreshing as that first bite into an apple. It just happens to sneak in some fine motor skills practice and learning too.
What You'll Need for this Apple Sensory Bin
Similar to our other sensory soup bins, this apple sensory activity was is quick and easy to prepare. Here's what we used:
- Water - How much you'll need will depend on the size of the container you are using.
- Liquid watercolors (optional, but more fun) - I used a couple of drops of green, as you can see. Alternatively, you can use food coloring instead.
- Acrylic apples in red and green - I found these at Michaels and can't seem to find a suitable match for them online. However, you could always substitute red and green glass stones, apple shaped mini erasers, foam apple shapes, or similar.
- Kitchen utensils (optional, but, again, more fun) - I added a whisk, a ladle, a large spoon, and a white plastic bowl. You can add measuring cups or measuring spoons too.
Simply add water and liquid watercolors to a large plastic container and mix it up. Then add the apples and kitchen utensils. And that's it!
Engaging Apple Sensory Play for Toddlers & Preschoolers
As simple as this apple themed sensory bin is, it certainly was engaging! Although my kids love anything that involves water and kitchen utensils, so I'm not surprised that they loved this one too.
I particularly love the way the apples look in the water. They look crisp and refreshing just like real apples. (Although don't eat these apples.)
Seriously, the apples look so colorful and inviting. I mean, don't you want to just scoop them up too?
This Apple Sensory Bin Idea Develops Fine Motor Skills Too!
Part of the reason why I love setting up sensory soup bins like this one is that they encourage lots of fine motor practice with real kitchen tools. All that scooping, pouring, stirring, mixing, whisking...it's all great for fine motor development! And, honestly, what toddler doesn't enjoy scooping and pouring?
At least my boys really enjoy scooping...
Pouring...
And whisking...
And if those things would appeal to your toddler or preschooler as well, then you've got to try this apple sensory bin with water. It's a great little activity for fall!
