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Pumpkin Sensory Bin: Picking, Counting and Exploring

Pumpkin Sensory Bin: Picking, Counting and Exploring

September 4, 2018 By Katie Chiavarone Leave a Comment

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This pumpkin sensory bin resembles everything you would find at a real pumpkin patch. Kids can pick and count pumpkins, see farm animals, and more! 

This post contains a free printable at the bottom of the post.

pumpkin_sensory_bin__VIeue

 

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.”
― Albert Camus


 

Sensory bins are excellent for early learning, and great for children with sensory-seeking behaviors. They provide opportunities for rich learning for kids as children are engaged and using many of their senses during play. This is a really fun bin for all ages in the Fall – be sure to check out the bottom of the post to modify this for toddlers all the way through older children.

*This post contains affiliate links.

round metal tray with play sand and fake pumpkins

Pumpkin Sensory Bin

This pumpkin sensory bin is great for all ages. Below there are different play options for varying ages.

Additionally, the older child version includes a free printable pumpkin life cycle story wheel to discuss while playing.

I like to use different trays and pans for sensory play depending on what we are doing, but a clear scrapbook paper container like this one with a lid is a sure favorite. When the kids are done playing, I can close it up and save it for another day easily.

pumpkin_sensory_bin__oSxwC

What you need for the pumpkin sensory bin:

Bin or tray (we used an orange metal serving tray here)

Gray play sand/fine play gravel

Fake pumpkins

Wooden fence (optional)

various scoops/spoons

Wooden bucket (we used a bird nest that we had)

Hay

Farm animals (optional)

pumpkin_sensory_bin__mFWMr

What to do:

Lay the play sand in the bottom of the bin and add a fence piece. The fence isn’t necessary at all, but for toddlers, it’s a fun way to transfer from side to side in the bin, a small practice in crossing the midline.

hay bale and fake pumpkins text overlay simple pumpkin patch sensory bin

Add the fake pumpkins to the bin along with some scoops and bowls.

pumpkin_sensory_bin__L3lmK

As a fun twist to your pretend pumpkin patch, place some farm animals in the bin. This has become a really fun component for us, especially when paired with the hay bale.

round metal tray with fake pumpkins and farm animals

 

The assembly is done! Kids can now go pumpkin picking. Check out some modifications below for various ages to kick this pumpkin sensory bin up a notch!

fake pumpkins and felt pumpkins

To Use this Pumpkin Sensory Bin with Toddlers: 

pumpkins in play sand with white fence

These pumpkins which can be bought at the craft store, or real mini pumpkins, are fairly large for little toddler hands to handle. Grasping the pumpkins and placing them in a pile or attempting to stack them is great practice for toddlers!

pumpkin_sensory_bin__XgfWW

To Use this Sensory Bin with Preschoolers: 

pumpkin sensory bin with farm animals and felt pumpkins

Sensory bins are excellent tools to practice counting with preschoolers. Lay some numbers written on pumpkins next to the bin and have your preschooler count out the number of corresponding pumpkins from the patch.

pumpkin_sensory_bin__SNkMp

pumpkin_sensory_bin__xv1WO

The farm animals make a nice addition to this pumpkin sensory bin for preschoolers, it will encourage pretend play and might even replicate a pumpkin patch they might visit on a field trip or with their family.

pumpkin_sensory_bin__8MOvB

To Use this Sensory Bin with Elementary Ages: 

fake pumpkins in gray sand

It seems that pumpkin patches are universal for kids of varying ages, they love to hunt for the perfect pumpkin! Use this bin to discuss various weights, shapes and sizes of pumpkins.

Additionally, this is a wonderful opportunity to discuss how a pumpkin grows. Did your kids know that they grow on a vine? Or what a pumpkin flower looks like?

Print the free pumpkin life cycle story wheel below to use in conjunction with this pumpkin sensory bin with older children.

pumpkin life cycle story wheel printable for kids

Have so much fun with your pumpkin sensory bin!  

For more printables to do alongside this pumpkin sensory bin, check out our Parts of a Pumpkin printable cut and label craft! 

Head over to our entire collection of sensory bins to see more. 


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Filed Under: Fall, Printables, Sensory

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