Tropical Island Small World and Sensory Bin for Kids
Learn how to create your own tropical island small world for sensory play. This is a fun activity that is perfect for the hot summer months and is suitable for toddlers and preschoolers.
RELATED: Summer Sensory Activities
Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
Materials you’ll need
- A large plastic tub
- Water
- Blue food coloring (optional)
- Toy sea creatures
- A large bowl
- Sand
- Toy trees and people
- Sensory bin tools (Cups, bowls, spoons, etc)
How to Make a Tropical Island Small World and Sensory Bin
1. Make the ocean – to do this you’ll need to fill the large tub with water, a few drops of blue food coloring (optional) and the toy sea animals.
2. Make the island – fill a large bowl with sandpit sand. Then decorate it with toy trees, people and whatever other small world toys that you want to include in this idea.
This idea works best if the bowl is taller than the water, otherwise your sand will get soaked with blue water before your kids get a chance to play.
RELATED: Taste-Safe Beach Sensory Bin
3. Add them together – place the bowl of sand into the middle of the blue water.
4. Set out your sensory bin tools – once you’ve got your small world setup, gather some spoons, cups and bowls and let your kids play however they want.RELATED: Sea Foam Sensory Bin
Different Ways to Play
1. Small World – use the people, animals and other toys to engage in some pretend play.
2. Sensory play – scoop, pour and splash with the sand and water. Don’t worry when the sand and water mix, the blue will wash out of the sand and be good as new when you’re finished playing.
RELATED: Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin
2. STEM – Another idea that I love, but didn’t think of until later, is to gather some twigs from the garden and ask the kids to build a raft for the toy people to escape on. This would have been a wonderful way to incorporate some STEM into this play idea.
Are you going to make this tropical island small world and sensory bin for your kids? Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
More Summer Themed Sensory Activities to Try
If your kids love playing with sand and water, then try some more sensory activities this Summer. here are some of my favorite ideas to get you started.
- Rainbow Sand (Beach Safe Recipe)
- Seashell Sensory Bin
- Ice Sensory Bin
- Ocean Sensory Bottles
- Beach Sand Cloud Dough
For more ideas, take a look at these 25 Summer sensory activities.
Summer Activity Pack
Educational printables for preschoolers and kindergarteners for this Summer.