Are you looking for some sensory activities for kids? This Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter is fun, easy, and a fantastic opportunity to talk about climate change and the melting ice caps.
These icebergs are completely taste-safe. Making them a suitable sensory play idea for babies, toddlers as well as preschoolers.
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For only $10 you get 90+ pages of hands-on activities and craft templates that are perfect for math and literacy centers, fine motor skills and more. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten aged children.
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Winter Sensory Activities
Sensory activities for kids are my go-to activity all year round. But they become even more important during the winter months when playing outside isn’t always an option. Here are some of my favorite winter-themed sensory bins for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Winter Sensory Bottles – If, like me, you live somewhere where it never snows, this is one way to enjoy the winter season and still see all the swirling (albeit fake) snowflakes. Take a look at these 3 different winter-themed sensory bottles
Winter Forest Sensory Bin – This winter forest includes trees, snow, and if you have them, a few woodland animals to go with it. This sensory play ideas photographed terribly, but my kids loved it. They loved putting the snow on the trees (and each other). I just wish that I had some woodland animals handy to go with this. It would have been so much better if my kids could find animals that were hibernating, and others that didn’t. It would have made for a great biology lesson.
Polar Animals Sensory Bin – learn all about the amazing animals that live in the polar regions and how they stay warm. Sensory play ideas often double as small worlds, and this one is no exception.
For more ideas, visit 25 Winter Sensory Activities.
Materials Needed
- 4 tsp Gelatin Powder
- 3 cups boiling water
- 3 cups milk
- Large container
- Blue food coloring
- Water
- Polar animal toys
- Spoons, bowls, cups and other sensory bin tools you have on hand
How to Make an Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter
Step 1: In the large container, mix the gelatin powder into the boiled water until the powder is completely dissolved.
2. Add the milk into the container. Stir until completely mixed and then place the container in the fridge overnight to set.
Another option is to mix white paint in with the water instead of using milk. While this isn’t a taste-safe option, it will work and may be easier for some.
Related: Winter Sensory Bin for Toddlers – My Bored Toddler
3. In a new container, place approximately 4 cups of cold water and a few drops of food coloring. Mix until the water is completely blue.
If the water isn’t as vivid as you would like, add more food coloring until you get the shade you want.
You also don’t need to worry about the food coloring staining the children’s hands. Since it’s only a small amount in a large tub of water, there is no effect on hands or clothes.
Related: DIY Fake Snow Winter Sensory Play – Little Bins for Little Hands
4. Cut and place sections of the white jello into the blue water.
I found this part didn’t go to plan, since the jello broke apart so easily. The easiest way to move a large section was to use the biggest spatula I have. I also made my icebergs bigger by adding layers.
5. Place your animals into the sensory bin and have fun playing.
Although I’m aware that penguins and polar bears do not live together. I still placed them in the same sensory bin because I wanted to talk about how these different animals survive in such harsh climates.
Related: Snowflake Soup: Winter Sensory Play – Learning and Exploring Through Play
Extended Learning Opportunities
If you want to, make this an opportunity to talk to your students about climate change.
Add warm water into the bin and watch the icebergs melt. As the icebergs get smaller and smaller your kids will see how there is less space for the polar bears to call home.
After seeing how climate change impacts the polar ice caps, next you can discuss ways we can help. This is a great opportunity to talk about recycling, growing your own food, renewable energy, and more.
How far you go into these topics depends on how old your students are and their level of understanding. However, even toddlers will enjoy learning about growing their own food and recycling, even if they don’t completely understand why it’s important.
My kids loved this sensory bin more than I expected, which was a wonderfully pleasant surprise. The toy animals were put aside fairly quickly and instead, my kids were making “soup”.
They also enjoyed breaking up the icebergs with their hands and watching it squelch between their fingers.
In the end, a good 30 minutes later, the icebergs were completely smashed and still holding a lot of their attention.
My only warning is to either do this sensory bin outside or on a tiled floor. The icebergs are sticky when they melt, so if they spill onto your floor you’ll have a sticky mess to clean up. Placing a towel under the table will catch 90% of any accidents and save you a lot of stress.
Are you going to try this Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter with your kids?
Don’t forget to Pin the idea for later.
Over 90+ pages of Winter themed play based learning activities and craft templates. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten.
