This sensory tub was such a huge hit that I had to sneak it away after he went to bed. He loved using the tongs to pick up all the skeletons and then dump them down. As an adult watching it was rather morbid but he was having a blast. If you use larger containers or smaller skeletons you can label the containers with the colors of the skeletons and add a sorting game to it too. I prefer to let him use his imagination with the sensory tubs , although some students I have had needed more direction so if your child is just kinda like ” Um now what? ” play with them and make up games to get them started.
- Gather your materials. You will need a plastic tub or extra large pan, some black beans, some great northern beans, pumpkin containers, tongs and skeleton toys ( ours are the stretchy ones ).
- Pour your black beans in , my tub used 2 small packages.
- Pour in the great northern beans, I only put in about half the package.
- Pop in the skeletons and pumpkins.
- Invite your child to the table ( or if you are smart out to the porch or backyard) and play.
- My son adored making big morbid piles of skeletons, not sure if I should be concerned or not…
Last Year’s Halloween Sensory Tub 
Last year we used orange lentils, pasta, and black beans. Check it out.
Love it! I gues I will need to go to the store and make this tub for my son because he would love it!
We used coffee grounds and candy corn for a not-so-scary sensory tub. 🙂
http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2010/10/candy-corn-sensory-tub.html
Totally making one of these for my own kiddos and for my YMCA kidzone. They will love it!
Hi… I’m sure this is answered somewhere on your website a million times but I’m just curious as to what age you think it is appropriate to begin using sensory tubs.
I have a 15 month old (and an almost 6 year old as well!) and would love to put some together for him. If he’s too young right now I could certainly stock up on the after holiday sales to prepare for next year!!
Thanks for your wonderful site… I enjoy your posts so much. As a former third grade teacher I love learning all about fun ways to teach and engage the little ones!!
With careful adult supervision 15 months would be fine. Just make sure nothing is a chocking hazard.
I just gathered some things for a halloween sensory bin-black beans and my son found those same skeletons at target, but was having trouble finding orange lentils-now I don’t have too! Thanks for the great idea!
I love your sensory tubs and that you have ideas for different seasons. What do you do with all of the stuff when you’re all done? A super sensory tub of beans, etc.?
I keep them all in ziplocs and pull them out all the time – we played with the st. patricks day one a week ago 😉
Hey, just wanted to let you know I copied your adorable Frankenstein on my website: cowsgomooandducksgoquack.blogspot.com
SO thankful to all the blogs that have a wealth of ideas I get to do with my baby girls.
Gianne
I LOVE your sensory tubs. I have been really wanting to try one for a while now and I think this weekend I will make it happen!! Thanks for the inspiration!! 🙂
That looks like so much fun! I think I’d have more fun playing than my kiddos!!!! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!!!!
So fun! I used to do this when I taught preschool and hide spider rings and ghost/goblin/monsters from the dollar store in the beans/rice/lentils. Thanks for the good reminder of doing this at home with my munchkin! I’ll have to go dig out my Halloween box from the teacher supplies!
Thanks for the Halloween inspiration. My daughter is sure to have fun with this! I’m linking to this post from my blog.
Love the sensory tub! We set up a station at my daughter’s Halloween birthday party. I went to the teacher supply store and picked up a lot of little Halloween erasers and stickers. I found a ton of stuff really cheap. They had so much fun!