Learn how to make your own DIY Mermaid Sensory Bin for your kids to play with. This tactile play experience is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who love mermaids. All you need are a few simple supplies and 10 minutes for you to make your own.
Not only will this activity help with sensory development, but there are a few different ways to play which can also help with language development, fine motor movement and cognitive abilities.
Disclosure: 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 small commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
More Sensory Bins for Kids to Try
If you love this mermaid lagoon sensory bin, then check out some of these other amazing sensory play ideas. They’re perfect for little kids who love to play.
- Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin
- Construction Sensory Bin
- Water Beads and Tunnels Sensory Bin
- Giant Mermaid Fabric Sensory Board
- Squishy Mermaid Sensory Bag
For more ideas, take a look at these 60 Sensory Activities for Kids.
Materials Needed
- A large storage bin
- Blue rainbow rice
- Plastic sea mermaid toys
- Pebbles
- Blue stones
How to Make a Homemade Mermaid Sensory Bin
1. Fill the container with blue rainbow rice
I used my taste safe rainbow rice recipe to make just blue rice. If you do a lot of sensory activities with your kids, then I recommend making and storing all of the colors separately (even if you just do blue and green). That way you can take out just one color and turn it into dozens of different sensory bins just by changing out the included sensory materials and small toys.
2. Make some small islands out of pebbles
I made four different “islands” out of my pebbles, Which I then surrounded by the blue stones. Please remember that these small items are a choking hazard, all activities require the supervision of an adult.
My kids love playing with pebbles, which I believe is partly because of the sound they make when you tap them together, how heavier they are than toys of the same size, and that they are a natural material.
3. Arrange your mermaids
Place your mermaids throughout the water and on the islands. How you’re all ready to play.
Different Ways to Play
1. Sort by color
Sorting and grouping pebbles by color is one of the fun ways you can use this sensory activity to teach your little ones some math.
2. Sort by size
One of many reasons why I love including pebbles in my sensory bins, is because they are different sizes. Which means we can sort them from the biggest to the smallest. Sorting and comparing sizes is a basic math concept that kids will need to know before they go to school.
3. Counting
There were ten mermaids in our sensory box. Which was a great opportunity to work on counting to ten and one-to-one correspondence.
I also used the opportunity to teach my kids some basic math, by using the mermaids to practice adding and subtracting numbers under 10.
4. Imaginative Play
Kids can have hours of imaginative play with this easy mermaid themed sensory bin. If you add in some plastic seahorses or fish, seaweed and coral then you can really go on an underwater adventure. Using this sensory bin, mermaid lagoon, as a small world setup is also a fantastic way to help your kids language development and foster creativity.
5. Scoop and Pour
Like all of my sensory bins, my kids favorite part of the activity was just scooping and pouring the rainbow rice between different containers. I have a small collection of sensory bin tools (cups, spoons and bowls) that they like to play with. Scooping and pouring is a great way to help toddlers and preschoolers develop fine motor skills (finger and hand muscles) through hands-on play.
Are you going to try this Mermaid Sensory Bin with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.
