10 DIY Dollar Tree Sensory Bins for Busy Toddlers (All Cost Under $10!)

These Dollar Tree DIY sensory bins are kid tested and approved for hours of inexpensive fun and sensory learning. If you haven’t heard of sensory bins, they are containers filled with materials that engage a toddler’s senses, such as touch, sight, and sound. They provide opportunities for exploration, learning, and play, and can help develop fine motor skills and creativity in young children. While some pre-made sensory bins go for around $20 at big-box stores, you can DIY them for well under $10.

To create your own Dollar Tree sensory bins, you need a few basics. A container, a filler, small toys, and a scoop of some sort. We’ll walk you through some great suggestions below (as well as links to shop!) so you can start creating your own sensory bins from the dollar store.

Also, a quick disclaimer: Your child should be supervised at all times while playing with sensory bins. Make sure you pick age-appropriate toys and fillers that do not put your child at risk.

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Our picks for the best supplies for DIY sensory bins at Dollar Tree.

Here are all the items you’ll need to create your sensory bin for your kids. We also include some links to shop, or you can shop in-store during your next Dollar Tree trip.

 

1. Bins or trays to contain all of the materials (and for storage!).

The following containers make great sensory bins:

• Plastic food storage
• Zip-top bags
• Scrapbook trays
• Large open trays to dump & play in
• Sensory play tables

 

2. Fun fillers for scooping, pouring, and more.

These fillers are all ideal for sensory bins. Be sure to choose a filler that is age-appropriate for your child. Some are edible and others are not, keep that in mind when choosing how to fill your bin.

• Pastas (these can be dyed in different colors!)
• Rice (also dyable)
• Dried green peas, beans, or lentils
• Ice and/or water
• Chia seeds (made into a slime using a little water)
• Kinetic sand
• Water beads
• Moon sands
• Beads
• Pompoms
• Foam shapes
• Shaving cream
• Yogurt
• Cereals (either whole or ground up to make an edible “sand”)
• Oatmeal

 

Select small toys and accessories that your kids will enjoy.

Choose toys that will work well in your filler, with nothing that could get lost or stuck. You can also choose a theme for your sensory bin (our ideas are below) and select toys based on the theme. These are some of our favorite toys for sensory bins:

• Mini dinosaurs
• Trucks
• Plastic eggs
• Cooking utensils
• Dolls
• Bath toys
• Cookie cutters

 

Choose scoops, containers, and funnels to keep kids entertained.

Kids love scooping and pouring sand and other fun sensory fillers. Some of our favorite scoops to help keep them entertained include:

• Sand toys, like shovels and sieves
• Measuring cups
• Funnels
• Salt shakers
• Tongs
• Mini tupperware containers
• Office supplies

Tip: Get an inexpensive shower curtain, plastic tablecloth, or painting drop cloth to make the play area for easy clean up.

10 DIY Dollar Tree sensory bin themes that you can make at home — all under $10.

Here are some sensory bin themes that our team has put together. You can find everything you need at the dollar store and all of these ring in at under $10 to create.

 

1. Grow a spring garden sensory bin.

What you’ll need:

• Safe Organic dirt or mulch and rocks
• Mini Pots
• Fake flowers and veggies
• Garden tools
• A watering can with water (If you do this, it’s best to play outside as adding water makes it very messy!)

Shop supplies

 

 

2. Fun with dinosaurs sensory bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Brown dried beans and rocks or stones from the craft store
• Dinosaur figurines
• Plastic eggs

Shop supplies

 

3. A sensory bin for the birthday kid!

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Create a homemade cloud dough using 4 cups of flour and 1/2 cup of baby or vegetable oil. Use a potato masher or wooden spoon to incorporate until everything is smooth.
• Sprinkles or confetti
• Number Candles
• Cupcake liners
• Birthday party decor

Shop supplies

 

4. Have fun in the kitchen with an oatmeal cookie sensory bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Oatmeal
• Cinnamon in a shaker
• Measuring cups
• Bowls
• Cookie cutters

Shop supplies

 

 

5. Create your own fossil dig bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Sand, lentils, and rice
• Toy bones or dog treats
• Paint brushes

Shop supplies

 

6. Itsy bitsy spider sensory bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Blue gems, blue pebbles, white beans
• Toilet paper or paper towel rolls
• Toy spiders
• Tweezers
• Bug catching kit (magnifying glass, net)

Shop supplies

Related: 30 Best Indoor Activities for Bored Kids

 

7. Pom pom ice cream shop.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Colorful pompoms and cotton balls
• Ice cream cones
• Empty ice cream containers
• Ice cream scoop
• Cups and spoons

Shop supplies

 

 

8. Beach day sensory bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Cheerios that have been blended in a blender or food processor to make sand
• Oobleck: Use 1 cup water, 2 cups cornstarch, and 3 drops of blue or green food coloring to create the desired color
• Sea animal toys
• Sand toys, scoops, mini buckets

Shop supplies

 

9. Little barista coffee shop sensory bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Coco Puffs and Cocoa Pebbles cereals
• Mini marshmallow
• Empty coffee cups and lids
• Scoops

Shop supplies

 

 

10. Colorful end of the rainbow bin.

What you’ll need:

• Filler: Rainbow-dyed pasta. Take two cups of dried pasta and add it to a zip-top bag with two tablespoons of vinegar and 20-30 drops of food coloring. Mix in the bag until the pasta is evenly coated. Lay pasta on parchment paper to dry overnight.
• Fruit Loops cereal
• Colorful pipe cleaners
• Tongs or scoops
• Fake coins
• Mini buckets
• Tweezers

Shop supplies

 

Sensory bin storage ideas.

Zip-top bags are the ideal storage solution for sensory bins! We like to store all of the fillers in separate bags and then keep our scoops and toys in additional bags. You can then store everything inside the trays or bins and mix and match sensory bin ideas the next time you play.