Simple Arctic Sensory Bin with Vocabulary or Grammar Activity

Even though sensory bins aren’t a traditional Montessori activity, they’re perfect for Montessori homeschools and many types of preschools. I like to prepare a sensory bin for my current theme or a seasonal or holiday theme. My 3-year-old granddaughter, Zoey, is in love with sensory bins and always looks forward to a new one. At the same time, she rarely tires of the one that’s out. Right now, she’s enjoying a simple Arctic sensory bin I prepared to go with our Arctic theme.

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Simple Arctic Sensory Bin – YouTube Video

Zoey always works with her sensory bins for long periods of time. She’s done the same with this sensory bin, too!

Simple Arctic Sensory Bin (and DIY Sensory Table)

I already had my DIY sensory table, so it was easy to make an Arctic sensory table.

Materials Used for Simple Arctic Sensory Bin

• DIY sensory table (This has been AWESOME! It’s been very durable and the perfect container for our sensory bins. Of course, you can use a bin on the floor.)
• 2 parts blue water beads to 1 part green water beads (Note: I used the ones from the frog sensory bin and wonderful whale sensory bin. I just use distilled water for the sensory bin and rinse the water beads thoroughly before drying them out when I’m finished with the sensory bin.)
• Foam Wrap That Came in a Package
• Safari Ltd. Arctic TOOB
• Animals of the Arctic 3-Part Cards (to match Safari Ltd. Arctic TOOB) by Montessori Soul
• Arctic Sea photo, printed on 5×7 photo paper and laminated
• Scotch Thermal Laminator with Laminating Pouches

Feel free to adapt your sensory bin for your family. These are just the materials I used. Important: If you use this with a toddler, be aware that water beads are very dangerous for children who mouth objects. Even with children who don’t typically mouth objects, I prefer being extra careful with water beads. When Zoey was a toddler, I put this type of sensory bin up out of reach whenever I wasn’t closely supervising Zoey’s work.

Exploring Arctic TOOB Figures and Habitats

First, I let Zoey explore the sensory bin and Safari Ltd. Arctic figures. She loves discussing which animals like to go in the water.

Matching Safari Ltd. Arctic Figures and Cards

I like to add at least one special hands-on learning activity using a printable to each sensory bin I prepare. For this sensory bin, I used Animals of the Arctic 3-Part Cards (to match Safari Ltd. Arctic TOOB) by Montessori Soul. I laminated each card, leaving a ¼” laminate edge on each card to be sure the cards stayed dry. With the water beads, the cards could actually sit on top of the “water.”

Feeling Water Beads

This sensory activity  is always a fun part of any water bead activity!

Using the Arctic Sensory Bin for a Grammar Activity

This Arctic sensory bin can even be used for a grammar activity! I would use only the words from the 3-part cards if I wanted to introduce parts of speech using the sensory bin. After that, I would set it up a bit like the Montessori grammar farm.

Have fun! 🙂

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