Valentine’s Day Oatmeal Sensory Bin
This Valentine’s Day Oatmeal Sensory Bin idea was born out of a need to clear out some extra containers of oatmeal I had my pantry.
I’m usually pretty careful about making sure we don’t overbuy pantry items, but somehow we had ended up with multiple large-size canisters of quick oats.
Maybe Walmart accidently delivered an extra canister with one of our orders? I’m not sure!
No matter what happened, there was no way we were going to be able to use all of these oats before the best-buy date.
I was asking my friend, “What am I going to do with all of these oats?” We discussed recipes for Overnight Oats, Energy Bites, etc. but when she jokingly mentioned a sensory bin idea, I went with it!
A quick search on Pinterest, and I discovered all kinds of ideas for Oatmeal Sensory Bins. With Valentine’s Day soon approaching, I decided to go that direction with the theme.
Using items I already had on hand, I quickly tossed together these Love Day-themed activity boxes for my girls.
Plastic Containers for Sensory Activities
The plastic bins you see here are extras I keep on hand for sensory activities.
I believe I originally got these medium-sized Container Store bins from a yard sale, but the lids have long since broken. So I use them for things like this!
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What to Include in an Oatmeal Sensory Bucket
Included in these bins, you’ll see a variety of different items:
- small containers
- scooping tools/small utensils
- silicone ice cube tray (similar ones available here)
- craft poms
- large popsicle sticks
- red counting bears
- fine motor tools (Our favorite ones are these from Learning Resources. These have lasted for years!)
My oldest daughter has special needs, and we continue to find sensory activities like this very helpful to her as she works to strengthen her motor skills.
I could not believe how long my girls played with these bins, and I know my boys would have enjoyed these in their younger years too.
Lots of imaginative play – from tracing heart-shapes in the oats…
to baking heart-shaped “muffins” and “cookies”…
to burying their counting bears in the “sand”.
Would your kids or grandkids enjoy this activity?
