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Home » Kids Activities, Recipes, and Printables » Sensory Bins

Bee Sensory Bin

Published: Jul 14, 2023 · Modified: Feb 14, 2024 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

Jump to Instructions
Text that says Bee Sensory Bin. Above and below the text are images of a bee sensory bin. It is a sensory bin made from rice that has been dyed yellow, small bee toys, scoops, and a bug catching kit.

This Bee Sensory Bin is so much fun for preschoolers. It is a great way for kids to work on their fine motor skills and use their imaginations!

A bee sensory bin. It is a sensory bin made from rice that has been dyed yellow, small bee toys, scoops, and a bug catching kit.

Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase or sign up for a service.

This bee sensory bin is such a fun idea for a spring or bug theme. Kids will have a blast exploring and playing with this easy to make sensory bin. It is a great learning activity to set up.

A bee sensory bin. It is a sensory bin made from rice that has been dyed yellow, small bee toys, scoops, and a bug catching kit.

Need more fun sensory bin ideas? This coffee sensory bin, rainbow rice sensory bin, and lemonade sensory bin are some of our other favorites!

A young child's hand holding some of the rice and small bees from the sensory bin.
Jump to:
  • 💐 A note about this activity
  • 💛 Why you’ll love this sensory bin
  • 🌻Benefits of using sensory bins
  • 🐝 Supplies needed to make this sensory bin
  • 🍯How to make and set up
  • 🫘 Variations
  • 🌺 Tips
  • 📝 How to store your sensory bin
  • ❓ Sensory Bin FAQs
  • Bee Sensory Bin

💐 A note about this activity

Parental supervision is always required for sensory bins. This activity should only be given to children who no longer mouth things as the small pieces could be a choking hazard.

💛 Why you’ll love this sensory bin

This bee sensory bin is perfect for a bug or spring theme. It is also great if you have a bumblebee loving toddler or preschooler. It is very simple to make and the rice will last for a very long time if kept clean and dry.

This is also a great sensory bin to use with learning about a bee’s life cycle.

🌻Benefits of using sensory bins

Sensory bins encourage toddlers and preschoolers to develop and refine their fine motor skills. Sensory bins are great for developing imaginations and can also help children with their self-regulation.

🐝 Supplies needed to make this sensory bin

Supplies needed to make a bee sensory bin.
  • Rice: You will need dry, uncooked rice.
  • Vinegar: This is needed to help dye the rice.
  • Yellow food coloring: I used yellow from this set of rainbow food coloring. You can also repurpose the yellow rice to a lemonade sensory bin once done!
  • Plastic storage bag or dark colored bowls: You will need a plastic storage bag (such as Ziplock) or a bowl that you don’t care if gets dye on it.
  • Wax paper: To set the rice on to dry.
  • Bees: I used these small bees from Amazon.
  • Bug catching equipment
  • Scoops and toys
Food Coloring Set - 12 Color Food Grade Vibrant Food Dye Tasteless Liquid Color for Cake Decorating, Baking, Easter Egg, Icing, Fondant, Cooking, Slime Making DIY Supplies Kit - 0.35 Fl. oz (10 ml)/Bottles
Food Coloring Set – 12 Color Food Grade Vibrant…
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100 Wooden Mini Bees Craft Decoration for DIY Scrapbooking Party Home Wreath Decor - Flatback Self-Adhesive Embellishments
100 Wooden Mini Bees Craft Decoration for DIY…
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JTCJozz Bug Catcher Kit, Kids Bug Collection Kit, Outdoor Nature Explorer Kit with Tweezers, Magnifying Glass, Science Educational Kit, Bug Observation Container for Boys and Girls
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DESIOLE Wooden Honey Mixing Stirrer Honey Dipper Sticks Honey Spoon
DESIOLE Wooden Honey Mixing Stirrer Honey Dipper…
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sansheng Small Wooden Scoops, Little Wooden Spoons for Jars,Bath Salts(12PCS)3 inches long
sansheng Small Wooden Scoops, Little Wooden Spoons…
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Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set Toy - 4 Pieces, Ages 3+ Fine Motor and Sensory Play Toys, Toddler Tweezers, Sensory Bin Toys
Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool…
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You will also need an extra large food storage container, tray, or sensory table.

Sale 15Inch Portable Sensory Bin Play Tray with Lid,...
15Inch Portable Sensory Bin Play Tray with Lid,…
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Toddler Sensory Kids Table with Lid | Sensory Bin...
Toddler Sensory Kids Table with Lid | Sensory…
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Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage Container,...
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids Food Storage…

🍯How to make and set up

Printable instructions are below.

Step by step guide on how to dye the rice for a bee sensory bin. There is a 4 step collage showing how to dye rice yellow.

To make this bee sensory bin, begin by dying your rice yellow. I used 4 cups of rice for mine. Any where from 4 to 6 cups should work.

Add the desired amount of rice to a large Ziplock bag. Next, add one tablespoon of vinegar per cup of rice (I used 4 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of rice). Add about 5 drops of yellow. I recommend starting with less then adding more, if needed.

Seal the bag and shake until the color is well coated.

Lay on a wax paper lined tray and let dry overnight.

Add the bees, scoops, and other toys and let your child play!

A bee sensory bin. It is a sensory bin made from rice that has been dyed yellow, small bee toys, scoops, and a bug catching kit.

🫘 Variations

Not a fan of rice? You can use shredded paper, dyed pasta, or dyed beans for this sensory bin too.

Sale JINZOFLY Raffia Paper Shreds, 100g Shredded Paper for Gift Box, Crinkle Cut Paper Shred Filler for Gift Wrapping & Basket Filling(Yellow)
JINZOFLY Raffia Paper Shreds, 100g Shredded Paper for Gift Box, Crinkle Cut Paper Shred Filler for Gift Wrapping & Basket Filling(Yellow)
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🌺 Tips

  • Contain the mess by putting a table cloth or fitted sheet down. We usually do our sensory bins on our porch then I use a large broom to sweep up any mess when my kids are done playing.

📝 How to store your sensory bin

Keep your sensory bin rice clean and dry and it will last for a year or more.

I use an extra large food storage container for my bins and just put the lid on when we rotate them. You can also transfer the rice and bees to a large Ziplock bag when done.

❓ Sensory Bin FAQs

What is a sensory bin?

A sensory bin is a container filled with a filler (such as dyed rice, pasta, shredded paper, water, etc). The bin is set up for a theme for young children to play with (such as farm, weather, monsters, holidays, etc). Sensory bins are geared towards toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergartens.

How long will a rice sensory bin last?

If kept clean and dry, a dyed rice sensory bin will last for over a year!

Other Sensory Bins that you’ll love

  • A pizza sensory bin made from crinkled paper, pizza, and pompoms. There is a pizza order card and tongs in the bin too.
    Pizza Sensory Bin
  • A coffee bean sensory bin with cups, scoops, and toy ice cubes in it.
    Coffee Sensory Bin
  • An Easter themed sensory bin made from shredded tissue paper and small egg and carrot toys.
    Easter Sensory Bin
  • A turkey sensory bin made from plastic cups with turkey faces drawn on them and brown crinkle paper.
    Turkey Sensory Bin
  • A Valentine's Day sensory bin with a plastic cup with a monster drawn on it. The sensory bin is meant for preschoolers.
    Valentines Sensory Bin
  • a colored pasta sensory bins with scoops and cookie cutters
    How to Dye Pasta For Sensory Bins
  • snow dough in a sensory bin there's a snowman and a cookie cutter
    Snow Dough
  • rice dyed rainbow colors
    How to Make Colored Rice for Sensory Bins

If you tried this Bee Sensory Bin or any other activity or recipe on my site, please let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I would love to hear from you!

A bee sensory bin. It is a sensory bin made from rice that has been dyed yellow, small bee toys, scoops, and a bug catching kit.

Bee Sensory Bin

Audrey
This Bee Sensory Bin is so much fun for preschoolers. It is a great way for kids to work on their fine motor skills and use their imaginations!
5 from 2 votes
Print Activity Pin Activity
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Dry Time 5 hours hrs
Total Time 5 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Extra large tupperware container or sensory bin
  • Ziplock storage bag
  • wax paper

Materials
 

  • 4 cups white rice
  • 4 tablespoons vinegar or rubbing alcohol may be substituted
  • yellow food coloring
  • bee toys
  • scoops
  • bug catching kit

Instructions
 

  • Measure out 4 cups of rice. You can do more cups of rice, if desired.
    4 cups white rice
  • Add the rice to a large Ziplock bag. Next, add one tablespoon of vinegar per cup of rice (I used 4 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of rice).
    4 tablespoons vinegar
  • Add about 5 drops of yellow. I recommend starting with less then adding more, if needed.
    yellow food coloring
  • Seal the bag and shake until the color is well coated.
  • Lay rice on a wax paper lined tray and let dry overnight. You can test the dryness with a paper towel before letting your child play with it.
  • Add the bees, scoops, and other toys and let your child play!
    bee toys, scoops, bug catching kit

Notes

Parental supervision is required. This sensory bin is not taste safe and should not be given to children who mouth things.
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I’m a busy mom who loves to cook, bake, and craft with her kids. Here, you will find tons of recipes like easy weeknight dinners, copycat recipes, cookies, as well as lots of fun craft ideas for kids.

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