Sensory bin guide

Sensory bin play · 10 minutes

Treasure hunt

You bury three stones before they arrive; they dig with the trowel. One hint max, then swap roles when all three are found.

Child digging in a sensory bin with a trowel for hidden treasure

Reach for this when

you need ten minutes to finish dinner.

What you need

  • 3 decorative stones (different colors)
  • Kid-sized trowel
  • Sensory bin base deep enough to bury stones

Missing something? See the full shopping list.

How to play

  1. You: Before they come over, bury three decorative stones under the base — different spots, same depth. They: (not at the bin yet.)
    Decorative stones buried under sensory bin base
  2. You: Hand them the trowel once and point at the bin: "Something's in there." They: Dig with the trowel or their hands.
    Parent handing a trowel to a child at the sensory bin
  3. You: Offer one "warmer/colder" hint if they stall — never point at the stones. They: Search until all three are in their palm or bucket.
    Child digging through sensory base with a trowel
  4. You: When all three are found, invite them to rebury once for you to dig. They: Hide the stones; you dig while they watch or count.
    Found treasure stones beside a sensory bin on a tarp

If it flops

Stones found in thirty seconds? Use smaller stones next time or bury them deeper — the hunt should last about as long as you need.

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