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We are answering a listener question today!
Is there an age limit when it comes to sensory bins? Are sensory bins beneficial for older children? How can we make sensory bins beneficial and fun for a variety of ages?
We dive into the benefits of sensory bins, including tactile modulation and visual processing. Then we talk about our favorite ways to make sensory bins fun and engaging for older children, including following a recipe, using a blindfold, and adding it into an obstacle course!
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When you think of sensory bins, your mind might automatically jump to toddlers or preschoolers scooping and pouring dry rice or beans. But sensory bins are more than just a fun activity for little kids—they’re a valuable, therapeutic tool for children of all ages and developmental stages, especially those with sensory processing needs.
Whether your child is eight years old and loves tactile input or is a teenager working on fine motor skills, sensory bins can be used in a variety of therapeutic ways to support their development. The key benefit of sensory bins is that they provide a structured way for children to experience different textures and sensations, which helps them learn how to process tactile input.
Whether your child needs to learn to tolerate messy play or is seeking extra sensory stimulation, sensory bins can be adapted to their unique needs. These versatile tools offer a customizable approach, enabling a tailored sensory experience for every child.
One of the main therapeutic uses for sensory bins is to help children work on tactile processing and modulation. This means teaching the brain and body to recognize that different textures are safe. Here’s how:
Sensory bins are also great for teaching tactile modulation, which is essential for children highly sensitive to textures, such as picky eaters. By exploring a variety of materials with their hands first, children become more comfortable with textures that might otherwise cause discomfort in other contexts (e.g., different food textures).
Sensory bins are not just about touch—they can also support visual processing skills by hiding small objects in the bin and having your child search for them. This activity helps develop:
For older children, make it more challenging by using smaller items or visually similar items. This encourages their visual system to work harder, strengthening their ability to process complex visual scenes, like a cluttered desk or a busy grocery store shelf.
Sensory bins can also be a fun way to build executive functioning skills, especially for older kids. Here are some ways to incorporate these bins into more complex tasks:
Allow your child to help plan and gather materials for the sensory bin. This involves making a shopping list, following a recipe (for materials like oobleck or slime), and measuring ingredients. The process builds skills like planning, sequencing, and organization.
Teaching your child to set up and clean up their sensory bin helps them develop executive function skills essential for independence and responsibility.
Hide letters, numbers, or math problems in the bin. Ask your child to solve the problem before they can move on to the next task. This is a great way to turn a typical homework session into a multisensory experience!
Many children struggle with fine motor skills, making it difficult to perform everyday tasks like writing, buttoning clothes, or using utensils. Sensory bins can help build these muscles by incorporating tools like:
The key here is to make it fun and engaging so children don’t realize they’re building essential skills!
Sensory bins don’t have to be a messy activity. With some creativity, you can incorporate them into your child’s daily routine in simple ways.
Set up a simple sensory bin with materials like rice, beans, or kinetic sand and allow them to just *play*. This unstructured time can be an excellent way for them to relax and self-regulate.
Hide spelling words, math problems, or geography facts in the bin and ask your child to find them before completing their homework. This multisensory approach keeps them engaged and helps with memory retention.
To get started, here are some sensory bin ideas that are perfect for all ages:
Always choose materials based on your child’s safety needs. For example, avoid small objects with young children who are still mouthing items, and steer clear of water beads or Orbeez for children who might try to eat them.
Whether you’re a parent looking for a calming activity for your sensory-seeking eight-year-old or a therapist wanting to engage an older child in a meaningful way, sensory bins offer endless possibilities. They are more than just a mess to clean up—they’re a powerful tool for building tactile processing skills, visual attention, fine motor abilities, and executive function.
So don’t put away those bins because your child is getting older. Get creative, customize them to your child’s unique needs, and watch them explore, learn, and thrive.
BORING, BUT NECESSARY LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
While we make every effort to share correct information, we are still learning. We will double check all of our facts but realize that medicine is a constantly changing science and art. One doctor / therapist may have a different way of doing things from another. We are simply presenting our views and opinions on how to address common sensory challenges, health related difficulties and what we have found to be beneficial that will be as evidenced based as possible. By listening to this podcast, you agree not to use this podcast as medical advice to treat any medical condition in either yourself or your children. Consult your child’s pediatrician/ therapist for any medical issues that he or she may be having. This entire disclaimer also applies to any guests or contributors to the podcast. Under no circumstances shall Rachel Harrington, Harkla, Jessica Hill, or any guests or contributors to the podcast, as well as any employees, associates, or affiliates of Harkla, be responsible for damages arising from use of the podcast.
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
This podcast should not be used in any legal capacity whatsoever, including but not limited to establishing “standard of care” in a legal sense or as a basis for expert witness testimony. No guarantee is given regarding the accuracy of any statements or opinions made on the podcast.
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