Here are some of our favorite Christmas sensory bins for kids. Inspire fun and festive creative play all month long!
Updated November 2024
There are so many reasons to love sensory play! It is incredibly important for brain development in small children, as well as fine motor skills development. And it is so much fun for kids to dig in and play!
Here is a roundup of some of our favorite Christmas sensory play ideas for little kids. And we bet your big kids will have a blast exploring these play ideas, too!
And be sure to check out our favorite winter sensory bins for kids, too!
Christmas Sensory Bins
1. Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin from Makers
This hot chocolate sensory bin is almost as cozy as a mug of the real thing! Kids will love scooping up ingredients and pretending to make their own warm drinks.
2. Candy Cane Playdough
This homemade playdough smells amazing and is so much fun to play with! Even better, make a big batch and give as gifts!
3. Winter Spice Bin from Makers
This sensory bin of oranges, cranberries and dried spices will not only be fun for toddlers to scoop, but it will also make your house smell wonderful all day long!
4. Playdough Holiday Bake Shop
We think kids will love this open ended playdough invitation. Set up your own bakery with cinnamon-scented playdough. Make cakes, pies, cookies and decorate. Then, start all over again!
5. Reindeer Salad from U Ready, Teddy?
It’s not just Santa who needs a snack! We love this idea of making reindeer salad from all of the seasonal greens and berries found around this time of year.
6. Christmas Cloud Dough
Our kids love to use cloud dough for playing pretend bakery, so add some Christmas sprinkles and toy kitchen utensils for a festive baking sensory experience.
7. Christmas Train Set Up
We love this cozy winter scene and think kids will enjoy setting up and chugging trains through a wintry forest railroad! You can use baking soda or salt for the snow!
8. Christmas Pom Poms and Diggers
For the construction vehicle lovers out there! Load those diggers up with pom poms, beans, and little Christmas trees for fun work!
9. Christmas Playdough Set Up
By setting out a few festive items (think bottle brush trees and arctic animals) with playdough, you can invite your children to create a fun pretend play scene.
10. Festive Water Table from Little Mainer Art Studio
If your child loves playing with water (what child doesn’t?!) then add some seasonal fruit and greens for a super easy and aromatic experience.
11. The North Pole with Instant Snow
Put all of those Amazon boxes to use with this sensory puzzle! Invite kids to fill in the different spaces with any festive items you have and make a beautiful mosaic-like design.
12. Christmas Lights Color Sorting from Appley Ever After
This colorful holiday sensory activity is perfect for children learning their colors. Scoop and match colored rice and beans into the matching Christmas lights!
We hope you are inspired to try some of these fabulous and festive ideas! Be sure to tag #theartfulparent with your Christmas sensory play ideas for kids!
More Sensory Bins for Kids
Want even more creative ideas?
Check out our Holiday Creativity pack!
Let’s celebrate the holidays with all things crafty! Here are 53 pages full of our favorite drawing prompts, creative play ideas, art activities, and more!
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