I think we can all agree that Sensory Play is important for developing a young child’s imagination. Sensory Boxes are a fantastic way to do that. The boxes allow kids to grow their creative play by experiencing their senses of touch, sound, smell, visual awesomeness and occasionally taste. They get a full adventure for their little mind to enjoy, and grow.
We do a lot of Sensory Play on the Mess Mat. We do so much in fact that it has it’s whole own page here on the Blog. {Check out Sensory Play for a definition and all of our adventures.} I think our favorite Sensory Play adventures are Sensory Boxes…
Sensory Boxes
Sensory Boxes are a contained area of stimulant materials, rice, beans, rocks, etc that the child can dig into with very few rules. This is exactly why we do these on The Mess Mat. The Mess Mat has it’s own rules, including, “The Mess stays on the Mat” which comes in very helpful when working out of the Sensory Boxes! I can refer to the Mess Mat Rules and not establish a new set over the box. Make sense?
4 Indoor Play Sensory Boxes
We do love to go outside for Sensory Playtime in the summer when it’s warm out. But unfortunately, in Oregon, it is rainy and cold for 5-6 months of the year, which forces us to move indoors. That’s perfectly fine with me because I have 4 perfect Sensory Boxes we can use on the Mess Mat… next to the heater 😉
Outdoor Explorer Sensory Box
This is a great box to work with during the Spring when you’re gearing up to venture outside. It makes a perfect introductory lesson for bugs and up close discoveries. This box includes Toy Bugs, Rocks, Sand, and 1 cup of green Rainbow Rice. The best part, though, is it also includes Explorer Tools! From a magnifying glass to a bug net your little Explorer will be ready to go when the sun comes out! This Sensory Box Kit is available in the Etsy Shop!
Dinosaur Sensory Box
Do you have Dinosaur lovers in your house? Me too! My sons really love this box because they can make the dinosaurs move around from tree to tree, “having lunch together” as they call it. Their imaginations run wild with story play too. Cash makes up great stories and pretends that the dinosaurs are having parties. He can be entertained by this simple Sensory Box for our whole play time! This box includes 2 cups of green Rainbow Rice, Sand, Rocks and 6 Dinosaurs with trees! It’s also available on Etsy!
Boot Camp Sensory Box
I created this box to facilitate a beautiful conversation with our boys about Memorial Day and how we appreciate all the heroes who don’t wear capes. Check out Cash’s Thank You Heroes video on Instagram, made while playing with this box. This box worked really well when I spread it out in our bigger Sensory Box too. This Box comes with Sand and Rocks, Army Men and a fleet of Army vehicles. But the most fun accessory… it includes 2 Army helmets! This Sensory Box Kit is available in the Etsy Shop!
Construction Zone Sensory Box
I must confess, this Sensory Box carries a lot value with it. Even after the Sensory Play is over, the trucks have made their way into playtime all over the house, car and even the bathtub. My boys cannot get enough trucks! They really enjoyed using the excavator to load up the dump truck with sand, and then haul it over behind a pile of rocks. Their tiny little fingers were always going and moving! This Box comes with Rocks, Sand, green Rainbow Rice and 6 Construction Vehicles. It’s also available on Etsy!
Get the Kits!
My love for Sensory Play has even made it into my Etsy Store, Cotton N’ Kandi because I want all kids to have the same fun and adventurous opportunities that mine do! Each Sensory Box described is available as a kit. No box is included, as you really only need one. I use two different sizes here at home: A small clear bin with a lid and our large “2-Player, Climb in” bin. The kits will come packed up in their original packages, and you’ll have to display them in your bin at home yourself. I like the small ones with a lid because we can close it up when we’re done for the day and pull it out all week. I even get a few more {the 6-pack} so that I can have a rotation going!
Save some Money!
Remember to Register for, and Activate your Ebates before shopping on Etsy. You can get 1% CASH BACK every time you shop on Etsy, and even more from other stores if you shop online! Register TODAY and start saving on your Sensory Box Kits!
Welcome to Mom School! This post is one of many Homeschool Preschool Lessons with #MySweetandSticky {Cash & Wyatt} As a former educator, I wanted to give them their best start before heading into public schools. (Which we LOVE!) On occasion, and throughout the summer, we continue our At-Home Learning. Cash is my Science Guy and Wyatt can’t get enough Sensory Play. Join us for every Sweet & Sticky moment.
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