The benefits of sensory play for kids are aplenty. However, many parents and educators are opposed to using food for sensory play. That's why I have already compiled a thorough list of 50 non-food sensory bin fillers to try with kids, but I simply couldn't stop there. There's even more options to consider! So here are 50 MORE non-food sensory bin fillers for kids. Again, I've included a free printable list for your reference. So from sponges to pool noodles to lotion, this list of sensory materials is going to have you reconsidering using food for sensory play. Or at least it will have you thinking outside the (sensory) box.
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50 Non-Food Sensory Bin Fillers for Kids
1. Cut up sponges or shaped sponges
Sponges are a great sensory bin filler because they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Either cut them up into little blocks or shapes or try shaped sponges like these alphabet sponges.
Ideas to try: Alphabet Sponges Sensory Bin | Sponge Shapes Sensory Bin | Sponges & Water Sensory Bin
2. Baby powder
Soft and fluffy, baby powder would make a great, although messy, sensory bin filler.
3. Lace
Fabric based sensory bins are great for babies or small toddlers, so try using lace instead.
These are fun to stretch, pull, twist, throw, and more. You can usually find them in the dollar store.
Ideas to try: Halloween Snakes | Crinoline Rope Sensory Bin for Light Table
5. Wood chips
Wood chips are an interesting hard, rough texture for little hands to explore. They work great for any kind of forest, farm, or construction type sensory bin.
6. Tree bark
Another great rough texture for kids to play and explore with. Bark is lovely paired with moss in a sensory bin.
7. Broken crayons
Who doesn't have lots of broken crayons kicking around the house? Well, try them as a sensory bin filler.
Ideas to try: Monster Mash Small World
8. Silly string
I remember silly string being so much fun as kid so I think it would be a lot of fun as a sensory bin filler.
9. Slime
Slime would make a great sensory bin filler for any kind of oozy swamp or sewer like sensory bin. Ninja Turtles small world with slime is the first thing that comes to my mind!
10. Bubble wrap
Kids loooooove bubble wrap. Okay, adults love popping the stuff too, so why not try it as a sensory bin filler. It's a great way to recycle and work on fine motor skills.
Ideas to try: Space Themed Sensory Bin Game | Polar Small World Sensory Bin | Bubble Wrap Painting Sensory Bin
One of my favorite sensory bin fillers to use is acrylic vase fillers. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures and there is always seasonal themed fillers in Michaels and dollar stores during holiday seasons.
The easiest way to encourage literacy through sensory play is to create a sensory bin using plastic alphabet magnets or beads as the base.
Ideas to try: Alphabet Soup Sensory Bin | Alphabet Sensory Bin | Fishing for Letters Sensory Bin | Alphabet Ice Cube Sensory Bin
13. Milk jug lids
Recycle those lids and add them to your sensory stash! Try writing sight words or letters or math equations on the lids to sneak in some extra learning.
14. Cut up pipe cleaners
The fuzzy texture of pipe cleaners is great for a sensory bin filler, but kids will also love exploring the magnetic properties of the pipe cleaners as they play.
Ideas to try: Pipe Cleaner Magnetic Water Bin
15. Pinecones
Another great natural material to use in sensory bins is pinecones. They have such an interesting texture!
16. Gift bows
You can easily whip up a sparkly, crinkly sensory bin using gift bows. They work great for Christmas or birthday themed sensory bin fillers.
Ideas to try: Christmas Themed Sensory Bin | Dollar Store Christmas Sensory Bin | Gift Bows Sensory Bin
17. Water balloons
Squishy and cool, water balloons are a fun sensory bin filler for kids. You can also write sight words, math equations, letters, etc. on the balloons to sneaky in some extra learning.
Ideas to try: Frozen Water Beads in Water Balloons | Sensory Play with Water Balloons | Water Balloons Sensory Bath
You can find all sorts of foam shapes, letters, or numbers. They also come in a variety of sizes, colors, and textures, making them an awesome sensory bin filler. Add some water for some extra fun!
Ideas to try: Bugs by the Number Sensory Bin | ABC Sensory Bin
19. Bingo chips
Try bingo chips in a sensory bin! They can be a lot of fun for kids to try and scoop up, especially in water.
20. Makeup sponges
You can usually buy a bag of makeup sponges at the dollar store, making them a pretty frugal sensory bin filler.
21. Costume jewelry
Raid your dress up bin for some costume jewelry and try it as a sensory bin filler.
Ideas to try: Thrift Store Sensory Bin | Mardi Gras Sensory bin (just skip the rice)
22. Moss
Natural materials always make a great sensory bin filler because they're usually plentiful and are always free. Moss would be wonderful for a rainforest sensory bin or a fairy small world, for example.
Ideas to try: Native American Small World | 2 Sensory Bin Ideas with Moss
23. Lotion
The smooth, creamy texture of lotion, paired with a scent and/or color, can make for a lovely, but messy, sensory bin filler.
24. Sawdust
I love the smell of sawdust! It also feels like no other texture.
Ideas to try: Sawdust Sensory Bin
25. Mini erasers
You can find all sorts of mini erasers, especially at the dollar store. Grab some seasonal ones to make quick and easy holiday themed sensory bins.
Ideas to try: Spring Sensory Bin | Fairies & Flowers Sensory Bin
26. Toothpaste
Stock up on some dollar store toothpaste and let the kids explore the texture. Kids will love to help squeeze the toothpaste out of the tube and into the sensory bin.
Ideas to try: Dental Health Month Sensory Bin
27. Clay
Try some colorful modeling clay, air dry clay, or try some more natural clay as a sensory bin filler. It's a great way to encourage fine motor skills, stamping, print making, and more!
Ideas to try: Clay & Letter Stamps | Ocean Themed Clay Sensory Activity
28. Silly putty
Silly putty is a lot of fun to play with and kids will love it as part of a sensory bin.
Ideas to try: Silly Putty Sensory Bin | Silly Putty Light Table Play
29. Paper clips
Paper clips are a great sensory bin filler for exploring magnetic properties and working on fine motor skills (by linking the clips together).
Ideas to try: Magnetic Exploration Sensory Bin | Magnet Sensory Bin
A perfect first sensory bin filler for babies would be those plastic baby links. They come in a variety of colors and textures.
Ideas to try: Color Stacking Boat Sensory Bin | Baby's First Sensory Bin
31. Cut up pool noodles
Try cutting up some pool noodles and filling a sensory bin with them. Sneak in some literacy learning by writing some sight words or letters on the pool noodles.
Ideas to try: Pool Noodle Boats Sensory Bin | Pool Noodle Sensory Bin | Seaside Sensory Bin | Floating Flowers
32. Plastic leis
Either the flower kind or the ruffled kind would work great in a sensory bin.
33. Puzzle pieces
Perhaps you have some old puzzles that are missing some pieces? Well, upcycle them into a sensory bin filler.
Ideas to try: Puzzle Sensory Bin for Autism Awareness | Puzzle Pieces Sensory Bin
34. Confetti
Confetti is another fun sensory bin item. It is one that I could foresee my children throwing everywhere though, so be prepared!
Ideas to try: Confetti Sensory Bin | Spring Sensory Bin
35. Pot scrubbers
Look no further than your kitchen for an easy sensory bin filler. Those pot scrubbers have such a unique texture!
Ideas to try: Halloween Monster Sensory Bin
36. Balls of tin foil
Crumble up some tin foil and fill up a sensory bin with them. Or wrap up some objects in tin foil and let the kids work on fine motor skills as they unwrap the little "presents."
Ideas to try: Frozen Small World | Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Sensory Bin
37. Marbles
The smooth, cool texture of round marbles is appealing to a lot of kids. The kids will love seeing them roll around in a sensory bin.
Ideas to try: Tahitian Sensory Box | Easy Marbles Sensory Bin
38. Cut up cardboard tubes or toilet paper rolls
I hoard cardboard tubes like crazy. I never ever do anything with them it seems, but they would be awesome in a sensory bin!
Ideas to try: Cardboard Tube Sensory Bin
39. Sequins or large glitter
Want a little sparkle? A little glam? Some glitz? Try sequins or large glitter as a sensory bin filler.
Ideas to try: Christmas Sensory Bin | Sequins & Sand Sensory Bin
40. Plastic eggs
Plastic eggs are not just for Easter (at least in my mind). Fill up a plastic bin with them and let the kids have fun opening and closing them.
Ideas to try: Easter Egg Sensory Bin 6 Ways | Easter Sensory Bin 2 Ways | Rainbow Fine Motor Sensory Bin | Easter Egg Washing Sensory Bin
41. Paint
Try using either liquid paint or paint powder as a sensory bin filler.
Ideas to try: Soap Painting Sensory Bin | Sensory Paint Bin (could use washable paint instead)
42. Styrofoam balls
Styrofoam balls come in a variety of sizes and would make a great filler for winter themed sensory bins.
Ideas to try: "Snow" Sensory Bin | Wintry Learning Sensory Bins | Winter Sensory Bin | Winter Sensory Box
Fill a bin with glow in the dark stars, turn off the lights, and let the kids' eyes lead the way.
44. Dandelions
Put those dandelions to good use! Fill up a bin and let the kids play.
45. Chalk dust
Grate up some chalk and let the kids get messy (and dusty!) with chalk dust.
Ideas to try: Chalk Dust & Feather Writing
46. Googly eyes
My kids love googly eyes so I'm positive they would love a googly eyes sensory bin. Grab a variety of sizes and colors for some extra silliness.
47. Clean mud
Whip up a bath of clean mud for your next sensory bin!
Floam is crazy fun because of those little foam balls. What will you pair with floam?
Try using reusable plastic ice cubes, either chilled or unchilled, for your next sensory bin filler. Kids will love stacking and sorting them. They also come in a variety of shapes and sizes, like these fruit ones.
Ideas to try: Simple Sensory Bin with Plastic Ice Cubes | Color Sorting Recycling Bin | Frozen Ice Cubes Sensory Bin
50. Pouch cap lids
We have never used any of those pouch cap products, but I know a lot of families do. And, as a result, I know they have collected a lot of lids over time. Put them to good use in a sensory bin!
Ideas to try: Pouch Caps Sensory Bin
Download the Free Printable List
To get a copy of the printable list, click the link below:
>> Click here to download the free printable
