Sensory bins are a must for special ed classrooms, but finding the right things to put in them can be tricky. Sensory bin ideas for kids who eat everything are even more challenging to figure out.
Below is a list of ideas to use in sensory bins when you have students who tend to eat all of the things. Use your discretion and choose items that will work best for your students and your budget!
Sensory Bin Fillers for Kids Who Eat Everything
For classrooms with kids who tend to put things in their mouths and eat everything, sensory bins can be a huge challenge.
Instead of ditching them altogether, try some of these sensory bin fillers to eliminate some of the problems.
Food Fillers for Sensory Bins
Food is always a good option when you have kids who eat things in your class. Just be careful to clean up thoroughly and secure the items so that they don’t attract bugs to your classroom.
- Cornmeal
- Uncooked Rice
- Dry Oatmeal
- Beans
- Crushed Up Graham Crackers
- Dyed Spaghetti
- Cereal
- Chia Seeds (soaked in water to become gooey)
- Candy corn
- Whipped cream
- Cool Whip
- Jell-O
- Pudding
- Raisins
- Baking Soda
Edible Playdough
Playdough that is safe to be eaten if ingested is another great alternative. There are many recipes for homemade playdough that are not toxic if children put them in their mouths.
Edible Finger Paint
Just like with homemade, food-safe playdough, edible finger paint is another great alternative. It will require you to do a bit of cooking, but it can be used in sensory bins and art tables throughout the week.
Water and Ice
Water and ice are other good sensory bin ideas for kids who eat everything. While they may be a bit messy, taking the sensory tub outside to the playground can help prevent the classroom from getting wet.
Getting to know your students can help you figure out which items to put in your classroom sensory bins. Select things that will work well for all of them and will leave you less anxious should they put them in their mouths. If your students don’t put things in their mouths, this list of sensory bin fillers might be a great option instead!
What are your favorite things to put in a sensory bin? Share with us below! We’d love to know what works best for you and your students!
