Taste Safe Construction Sensory Bin for Kids

Transport Activities for Kids

Transport play ideas are a hit with both boys and girls. Who doesn’t love all of the big and amazing machines that we see on a building site, at the airport and on the sea? Here are some of my favorite ideas to incorporate into a transport themed lesson plan.

1. Transport Lacing Cards
2. Car STEM experiments for kids
3. Alphabet and Number Road Mats
4. Sand Playdough – Construction Invitation to Play
5. DIY Cardboard Construction Vehicle Crafts

For more ideas, check out these 60 Transportation Activities for Kids.

Materials Needed

1. 8 cups of flour
2. 1 cup of vegetable oil
3. 2 – 4 Tbsp cacao powder
4. Construction toys
5. A large tub
6. Spoons, bowls, cups and other sensory bin tools

How to Make a Construction Sensory Bin

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, cacao powder and oil together.

It can take a while until the oil has penetrated all of the flour. Be patient. If you want the moon sand to be more sticky, then add more oil. If you prefer a sand-like consistency, then stick to the original quantities.The cacao powder is optional, I added it because I wanted the moon sand to be brown, like dirt. Other than aesthetically, it wasn’t actually needed in this recipe.

Another way to make your moon sand brown, would be to add brown oil-based food coloring. Don’t use water based food coloring, as it won’t mix with the oil and therefore won’t make your construction site sensory bin brown.

If you don’t want to make your own moon sand, don’t worry. There are so many different fillers you can use for this sensory play idea instead. Such as:

• kinetic sand
• play sand or
• ​regular mud or dirt out the garden

2. Pour the moon sand into a large container.

I’ve tried all sorts of different containers whenever I try a new sensory activity. I’ve learned that the best ones are easy storage containers, ones which come with a lid. That way I can pack away the sensory bin with all the toys and tools inside, and save it for another day. When I do it this way, one new sensory bin can provide hours of imaginative play.

3. Add in some small toys.

Aside from the obvious building machines (like a dump truck or sand roller) that we think of for construction sites, there are a few other items you can include in your construction bin. Little builders will also enjoy the following items:

• construction signs
• ​pile of rocks
• wood blocks
• ​hard hats
• traffic cones

4. Enjoy playing

Now your young children can make their own building adventure. They’ll have loads of fun digging in the dirt, learning all about the different vehicles and exploring their sense of touch.