Sensory Activity for Toddlers

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Are you looking for a fun and easy sensory activity for toddlers?  My toddler twins love this cereal sensory bin activity.  

This a fun activity, if you want to keep your toddler busy and engaged that requires little prep, while also allowing them to work on their fine motor skills and, have some imaginative play!  The toddler cereal sensory bin is completely edible, so you don’t have to worry if your little one puts things in their mouth, as my twins do!

Sensory bins are a wonderful experience for little ones but I had to make my bins “safe” for my toddler twins, and our dog (since she eats things that fall on the floor, too).  

My 24-month-old twins require a lot of supervision during these types activities (mainly because they get ideas from one another and the whole sensory bin will be on the floor or in their mouth the second I turn my back- they are just a little too young for large amounts of non-edible items everywhere).  

We are working on listening to directions but they are not quite there yet, with activities like these. I can’t wait to try other sensory bins once they get a bit older, but this one is perfect for them right now, and me!

This activity is easy to set up, not very messy, and easy to clean up!

Here’s what you will need to make the cereal sensory bin:

Materials:

• Large towel
• Plastic tub to pour the cereal in
• Cereal (Cheerios, Kix, Rice Krispies, etc.)- I like to do cereal with lower sugar
• Things to put in the sensory bin to play with (cups, spoons, ladles, bowls, funnels, spatulas, kids baking trays, – we did a cooking/baking theme, but you could add in anything toddler friendly such as trucks and shovels).  Gear this activity towards your toddler and what they enjoy!

This is so simple to set up!  And did I mention fun!?

Setting up the Cereal Sensory Bin

• Have the kiddos wash their hands
• Place a clean towel on the floor under the tub
• Pour the cereal into a tub (Cheerios, Kix, Rice Krispies, basically cereal I find on clearance and with less sugar- better for my twins and dog)- you can do any size tub and you may need more boxes of cereal depending on the size of your tub  
• Add in the fun utensils, cups, funnels, spoons, trucks, etc. if you want, or they can play with just the cereal.  My twins like to scoop and pour the cereal.

They are learning so much while playing

My toddlers are having so much fun but also gaining so much from this activity.

Your Toddler will Learn:

• Cause and effect
• How to scoop and pour (life skill)
• Working together (since my twins did this activity together)
• Practicing fine motor skills by picking up the cereal
• Meaning of full and empty, and so much more!

The Clean up is Easy, too!

All the cereal that landed on the towel under the bin I put back into the sensory bin.  I put the lid back on and saved it for another time. The rest of the cereal I vacuumed or swept up (or the dog ate it, and maybe the twins).  It’s fast and easy either way, which is my kind of activity.  Or you could do this activity outside- as we did and basically have no cleanup!

I have to admit one time we did this activity I turned my back for 3 minutes while cooking dinner (big mistake!)- and 75% of the cereal was on the floor- like everywhere.  I would just monitor your toddler while doing this activity- especially if they like to throw things (as mine do!- one reason we do easy and edible play). And make sure they are old enough/able to chew the cereal if your baby is younger.

The cereal will crush as they play with it and get broken up, and that is okay.  It will just make for a different type of sensory experience. It’s still a sensory experience for your little one!  

When will your toddler try this fun and easy Toddler Cereal Sensory Bin Activity?

Related: Looking for more super simple, easy, and engaging activities to do with your toddler?  Check these out!

Cookie Sheet Sensory Play

Toddler Car Wash

Toddler Milk Jug Shaker Sensory Activity