Insect Sensory Bin - Easy Spring Activity for Kids for Toddlers

I’ll admit it, I HATE bugs. I’m sure I’m not alone in this either. They make me feel all squirmy. However, I still want to teach my kids about the world around them, and when it comes to Springtime, bugs, and insects are part of it. Thankfully that’s where toy insects are a wonderful blessing. They help provide all of the learning and none of the squeamishness. One way that I’ve used our toy insects is in this simple Insect Sensory Bin.

insect sensory bin for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. A perfect Spring time learning activity for kids.

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.

As the weather warms up, now is the perfect time to try some of these Spring activities for kids. I don’t know about you, but there’s something about the change in seasons that gets my kids excited about learning. Or you can invest in the Spring Activity Pack, which is filled with educational ideas for young kids.

Materials Needed

A large tub
Dried black beans
Toy insects
Sensory Bin Tools (Cups, spoons, bowls)

How to Make an Insect Sensory Bin

The Insect Sensory Bin is so incredibly easy to set up. I used dried black beans instead of dirt and hid the insects underneath the beans. As with all sensory bins this one is mostly about pouring and scooping the filling. Seeing how it behaves when you handle it and exploring all the different things that happen when you do.

Although I love how easy the black beans are to clean up afterward, they’re not suitable for babies. If you have a baby or a toddler who is still in love with tasting everything then I recommend that you read this Insects Sensory Bin – with Taste Safe Dirt from My Bored Toddler.

I’ve also used these black beans in my Spring Garden Sensory Bin where we learned how to plant vegetables in the soil instead. Which is fantastic if you’re trying to promote healthy eating with your kids.

I particularly love how this sensory bin is so easy to pack away and store for a long time. Because it means that I have a play activity ready to go, already waiting for my kids the next time they want to play.