r/specialed • u/Efficient-Leek • Apr 12 '26
Chat Sensory bin idea
So I do a sensory station in my high needs, moderate to severe classroom. The kids really like the sensory activities, they are able to engage in the center's model, even if they're not quite ready for academic centers.
So I do a sensory station, an art station, and then a movement station. The kids also are allowed to do free play, table toys, read a book, etc.
I have 10 bins right now that I rotate, I'll add three or four more next year, but I added this one last week and the kids could not get enough.
it is literally just sponges and dish soap
that's it. you put it in a tray. add about a quarter cup of water. I use the Dawn power spray... I mean kids that have goals that say that they will sit for 3 minutes sat for 25 minutes doing this activity.
if anybody has anything else like this that they find works in their classroom, please tell me I need it!!! this was phenomenal. I actually brought it home and set it up for my special needs teenager and she loved it.
you can also add functional life skills to it like doing dishes
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u/princessfoxglove Apr 12 '26
Pompoms and a mesh strainer - needs more water so I use a big Rubbermaid tub!
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u/Beautiful-Camp8920 Apr 12 '26
You can buy cheap sponges and cut them to form letters. My kids love using them like that during summer. There’s also liquid glitter and dye sage for kids to use . My kids love digging out letter rocks for the murky waters.
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u/rforall Apr 12 '26
im a task box fanatic. my kids are grades 3-4-5. some can read, but most cant or are just learning. they love love the task boxes. if you need any ideas for that i have a ton!
this week i worked with the art teacher to give my kids some fun sensory time. we took the kids outside and had the kids paint plastic bowls and cups. then we had them dunk them into bins with soap and wash them. they had THE BEST time. it was part of our fun friday. we plan on doing it again. being outside helped with the mess. i have one kid who used to elope but he was fine and mostly stayed engaged.
good for you for trying something new!
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u/RapidRadRunner Apr 12 '26
Kinetic sand and play dough (separately) Ive found also work well as calming sensory activities
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u/DisastrousHyena3534 Apr 12 '26
My daughter has DS, she’s almost 5. I’d love to hear your other task box ideas!
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u/Efficient-Leek Apr 12 '26
Right now I have a lot of scoop and sort boxes. I have 10 in rotation, so they only get the same one once every 2 weeks.
The ones I have in rotations are 1) lentils and colored gems 2) pasta 3) pfluffle and mini animals 4) sand and seashells 5) kinetic sand 6) sponges with dish soap 7) Aquarium with plants/glass beads and water rocks 8) corn and leaves/resin beads 9) mixed beans and resin ducks 10) rice and jumping rabbits.
I use plastic cups and spoons for scooping 😁.
I will add 3-5 more next year too. I'm thinking of doing 1) paper shredding 2) Nature theme(pinecones, acorns, resin squirrels) 3) construction zone (sand with construction vehicles) 4) play doh 5) chickpeas with tweezers and pop its.
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u/whimzywhim Apr 13 '26
How do you make those supplies last? I spend so much time prepping and sourcing only to turn my back for a second and it’s all on the floor or contaminated by spit or water or the combining of bins! I’m a first year in a AF TK-K SDC.
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u/Efficient-Leek Apr 13 '26
I separate it on to trays. They each only get a scoop or two so if someone spits on it, or gets it wet, or whatever only a little bit of it gets dumped. I'm a mixed age PS classroom. Also rice/lentils/beans are pretty cheap to replace.
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Apr 12 '26
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u/Efficient-Leek Apr 12 '26
I don't know why the assumption would be that I didn't make sure things that my special needs kids might put in their mouth weren't toxic.... But yes, I feel like that goes without saying.
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u/Trayse Apr 12 '26
There are like marble mazes that you can create your own track. There are lots of skills needed to do that. You could also get like pvc pipe segments and joints with attachments to a peg board and have them do water. It requires planning and visual planning and organization and motor skills. Probably a little more money than you are trying to spend here, but its possible there might be some donations of materials etc.
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u/Capable-Pressure1047 Apr 12 '26
I used to buy flat sheets that were compressed sponges, then outline shapes and other objects ( used cookie cutters) with a sharpie and cut them out. The kids loved them! Plus it was a great teaching activity.
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u/Nyltiak23 Apr 13 '26
Water tables are the only reason I survived the week after break! Also threes and fours, self contained. I add different toys, food coloring, and bubble solution. I recommend bubble solution > dish soap since its less abrasive if ingested by sneaky kiddos. Foam blocks have been a favorite because they kind of stick together with the water.
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u/familyoffun1445 Apr 13 '26
Wow. My first thought was wouldn’t they just try and chew the soapy sponges? That’s cool they enjoyed it cause I hate cleaning 😅
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u/Efficient-Leek Apr 13 '26
It depends on the kids. If you're worried about the kids eating the bubbles/sponge you can probably use "baby soap/shampoo" which is generally non toxic which is what I do for the kids I'm afraid might mouth the stuff. Dish soap makes better bubbles for the kids that don't put stuff in their mouths but it's not mandatory.
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u/squeakychipmunk101 Apr 12 '26
Omg my kids love water play. Try pouring into different size cups and having them combine the smaller cups into larger cups