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

Lemonade Sensory Bin

Published: Jun 8, 2023 · Modified: Nov 15, 2023 by Audrey · This post may contain affiliate links

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Text that says lemonade sensory bin. Above and below are photos of a A lemonade sensory bin (rice dyed yellow with toy lemon slices, ice cubes and wooden scoops).

This lemonade sensory bin is such a fun sensory activity for summer. Kids will have a blast scooping, exploring, and using their imagination.

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.

My kids love playing with their rainbow rice sensory bin, pasta sensory bin, and snow dough sensory bin. I love making new creative sensory bins for them, especially now that summer is here and our days aren’t as structured.

A lemonade sensory bin (rice dyed yellow with toy lemon slices, ice cubes and wooden scoops).

This lemonade sensory bin is so much fun. There are optional printable drink order cards to print and put with the bin. These are fun to laminate and add to the sensory bin.

A lemonade sensory bin (rice dyed yellow with toy lemon slices, ice cubes and wooden scoops) with a printable recipe card for kids to make a pretend lemonade with.
Jump to:
  • 📋 A Note about this activity
  • 💛 Why you’ll love this sensory bin
  • 🍋 Supplies needed
  • 🍋 What kind of container to use for sensory bins
  • 🍋 How to make the sensory bin (step by step guide)
  • 🍋 Tips
  • 💭 How to contain the mess
  • 🖨️ How to download and print the lemonade order cards
  • 📋 Sensory Bin FAQs
  • 💡 Other fun sensory bin ideas
  • Lemonade Sensory Bin

📋 A Note about this activity

Adult supervision is required. This sensory bin is not taste safe and should not be given to children who mouth things as the small items and uncooked rice could be a choking hazard.

💛 Why you’ll love this sensory bin

This DIY sensory bin is so easy to make. Sensory bins are great for teaching practical skills, play skills, fine motor skills, and for helping children use their imagination.

🍋 Supplies needed

supplies needed to make a lemonade sensory bin.

For this lemonade sensory bin, you will need:

  • Rice: You will need dry, uncooked rice.
  • Rubbing alcohol: This is needed to help dye the rice.
  • Yellow food coloring: I used yellow from this set of rainbow food coloring.
  • Scoops, plastic cups, toy lemon slices, and ice cubes: The toys for the sensory bin.
  • Printable lemonade order cards: These are optional but so much fun. You can grab the download below.
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🍋 What kind of container to use for sensory bins

I use an extra large food storage container. You could also use a sensory table or tuff tray for sensory bins as well.

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🍋 How to make the sensory bin (step by step guide)

step by step guide on how to dye rice for the lemonade sensory bin. There is a collage with 4 steps.

Printable instructions are below.

To dye the rice yellow, you will need to measure out 4 to 5 cups of rice (image 1). I used a large plastic food storage bag but a big bowl that you don’t care about staining also works.

Next, add one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol per cup of rice (I used 5 cups of rice and 5 tablespoons of alcohol). Add the food coloring, I used about 8 drops (image 2) and seal the bag. Mix well (image 3). I recommend starting with less and then adding more if needed. Too much yellow can end up looking orange.

Spread out to dry(image 4). I used an extra large tupperware container that I lined with wax paper.

Let the mixture dry for about four hours then it will be good to play with. I usually make mine the night before so it has plenty of time to dry. You can test that it’s dry and ready with a paper towel. Once it is dry, it will not stain hands.

Add scoops, plastic cups, toy lemon slices, and toy ice cubes.

A lemonade sensory bin (rice dyed yellow with toy lemon slices, ice cubes and wooden scoops).

🍋 Tips

  • Add a little yellow food coloring at first. If you add too much it can end up looking orange. You can always add more, if needed.
  • You can also dye pasta instead of rice, if desired.

💭 How to contain the mess

I usually bring our sensory bin to our porch and then use a big broom to sweep up any mess. You could also put an old sheet or table cloth down under the bin to help contain the mess.

🖨️ How to download and print the lemonade order cards

To download and print these lemonade order cards simply click the black download button below (it will open in a new tab).

This printable is free for personal use or single classroom use only, no commercial reproduction of any kind is allowed.

The pages should be printed on landscape setting, in color, and on regular (8 ½ by 11 inch) paper. I recommend laminating them.

Lemonade-Sensory-Bin-Printable-Cards Lemonade Sensory Bin Cards Download
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📋 Sensory Bin FAQs

What is the purpose of sensory bins?

Sensory bins are a great way for preschoolers to get creative and play. They encourage the use of their imagination and fine motor skills.

What do I put in a sensory bin?

You use so many different items for sensory bins. Some examples include: water, rice, pom poms, foam, sand, dried beans, dirt, dried corn, and dried pasta.

What age can you start sensory bins?

You can start taste safe sensory bins very early. Some sensory bins contain small pieces so parental supervision is always required.

What skills do sensory bins teach?

Fine motor skills, imagination, and learning through play are some of the skills that sensory bins teach.

💡 Other fun sensory bin ideas

  • Monster Sensory Bin
  • snow dough in a sensory bin there's a snowman and a cookie cutter
    Snow Dough
  • bean sensory bin with toys and scoops
    Bean Sensory Bin
  • a colored pasta sensory bins with scoops and cookie cutters
    How to Dye Pasta For Sensory Bins
  • A coffee bean sensory bin with cups, scoops, and toy ice cubes in it.
    Coffee Sensory Bin
  • Text that says boat sensory bin. Above and below are images of a boat craft in a water bin.
    Boat Sensory Bin
  • rice dyed rainbow colors
    How to Make Colored Rice for Sensory Bins
  • spaghetti noodles that have been dyed rainbow colors
    How to Dye Spaghetti (Make Rainbow Spaghetti)

If you tried this Lemonade 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 lemonade sensory bin (rice dyed yellow with toy lemon slices, ice cubes and wooden scoops).

Lemonade Sensory Bin

Audrey
This lemonade sensory bin is such a fun summer activity. Kids will have a blast scooping, exploring, and using their imagination.
5 from 3 votes
Print Activity Pin Activity
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Dry Time 4 hours hrs
Total Time 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • Plastic storage bags such as Ziplock
  • wax paper
  • Large container or bin
  • Scoops
  • Toy lemon slices
  • Toy ice cubes

Materials
 

  • 5 cups dry rice
  • 5 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
  • 8 to 10 drops yellow food coloring

Instructions
 

  • Measure out your rice.
  • Next, add one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol per cup of rice (I used 5 cups of rice and 5 tablespoons of alcohol). Add the food coloring (I used about 8 drops) and seal the bag. Mix well. I recommend starting with less and then adding more if needed. Too much yellow can end up looking orange.
  • Spread out to dry. I used an extra large tupperware container that I lined with wax paper.
  • Let the mixture dry for about four hours then it will be good to play with. I usually make mine the night before so it has plenty of time to dry. You can test that it's dry and ready with a paper towel. Once it is dry, it will not stain hands.
  • Add scoops, plastic cups, toy lemon slices, and toy ice cubes.

Notes

Sensory bin rice will keep for over a year if kept clean, dry, and in an airtight container or bag.
The smell from the rubbing alcohol will dissipate. 
This activity requires adult supervision and is not meant for children under 3 since the small pieces could be choking hazards.
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Hi, I'm Audrey!

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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