Today I’m showing you how easy it is to make a summer theme watermelon sensory bin that is perfect for play and learning. Also, look at my page How to Homeschool Preschool for more ideas.
What may seem just like a fun container of rice is so much more than just play!
There are many benefits to sensory bins for preschoolers.
And they can introduce a fun standalone theme like watermelon or be used as a springboard for a small unit study.
If you have not introduced sensory bins yet this is a perfect easy starter one that can be made into any size
You can spend a little time learning about how watermelons grow, planting your own seeds and watching them develop, and even taste testing different varieties to fill it out even more.
Make the entire week wildly watermelon themed with these additional sensory ideas which I have below.
Too, learn why sensory bins are such a wonderful part of preschool development.
Wild Watermelon Sensory Ideas
Grab Food Anatomy from the Julia Rothman series and learn a little bit more about different varieties of this delicious summer treat.
Include a taste test before or after the sensory bin to include even more of your child’s senses.
We have also learned How to Make Fun Watermelon Seed Slime For Summer Learning, another great activity to involve several of the 5 senses and build hand muscles.
Make a Watermelon Squish Bag for a sensory treat that doesn’t make a mess.
I love that everything is contained in a tidy gallon zip top bag.
While slices of watermelon are fantastic on their own try putting a twist on it and get your kids in the kitchen learning all about following directions, measuring, and kitchen safely with a Kid Friendly Watermelon Slush.
These tempera paint sticks make for great painting projects and keep the mess to a minimum,
They worked fantastically for a quick W is for watermelon picture.
Watermelon Moon Sand is a unique texture that kids love to play with (messy warning, this stuff sticks and spreads).
8 Benefits of Using Sensory Bins
Next look at the benefits of using sensory bins in your homeschool.
- Sensory bins are a calming activity where children can play independently or with others.
- Scooping with cups or spoons builds fine motor skills.
- Picking up items with fingers or tweezers develops grasp important for prewriting.
- Prompt cognitive development as children sort,
- Talking about what they find or are doing in the bin builds language development and vocabulary.
- Adding letters introduces literacy skills like letter identification, sounds, and building words.
- Counting and measuring objects in the sensory bin introduces early math concepts like counting, sorting, and volume.
- When playing with others it teaches children to share through cooperative play.
Finally, look at how to make a watermelon sensory bin.
How to Make a Watermelon Sensory Bin
You will need:
- Uncooked rice
- red/pink food coloring
- Hand sanitizer
- Black beans or sunflower seeds
- Containers and spoons
- Optional-watermelon scent
First, measure out enough uncooked rice to fill about 2” depth in whatever container you have chosen.
Stir in either liquid or gel food color along with enough hand sanitizer to help spread the color all around until you have reached your desired color.
Mix it up well and then spread out the rice as flat as you can, using a baking sheet if you like.
Stir in scent at this time if you are going to use it as well.
Lay your rice out in the sun to dry and stir every so often, the alcohol in the hand sanitizer helps it to dry fast.
Transfer rice to a shallow container for your sensory bin.
Sprinkle on some black beans or sunflower seeds for watermelon seeds
These are great for counting and sorting.
I happened to have sunflower seeds on hand and loved the way they looked as watermelon seeds.
Add in fun items for exploring like spoons, cups, bowls, mason jar rings, measuring cups and spoons.
You want items that can be used for filling, pouring, scooping, investigating volume, etc.
Next, include some letters to hide like W’s or even those to spell out w-a-t-e-r-m-e-l-o-n for a quick language lesson.
I also included 4 wooden craft sticks to play with and these can also be used to form a w.
Have your child sort out the watermelon “seeds” for counting.
