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March 31, 2011 | 18 Comments

Spring Garden Sensory Tub

spring sensory activities

Sensory bins are such great teaching tools. For this spring garden sensory tub, I wanted it not just to look like a spring garden but also to feel like one, too. So we stuck with earthy natural colors, all-natural contents (minus the tongs and pots), and talked about how we can (and will) plant some of the beans from the bin and track its growth.  The big lima beans we used are big enough to be a choking hazard for little ones. Remember to only use contents that fit your children’s specific level of development.

  1. Gather your materials. You will need some dried split peas, large dried Lima beans, dried orange lentils, dried white beans, mini bow tie pasta, and some small flower pots. You will also need a tub – this one was a dollar at Walmart.
  2. Start by pouring the dried beans and lentils into the tub.
  3. Next, add a handful of butterflies (the dry bow tie pasta).
  4. Add some mini flower pots and explore.
  5. My son was fascinated by the lima beans, as they are not a staple on our dinner table.
  6. You can simply scoop and pour with the flower pots.
  7. Or grab some tongs and sort and count.

Books About Gardening to read with your Spring Garden Sensory Tub


The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle is a story about a tiny seed who unlike the other seeds from his flower makes it against all odds to continue the cycle of life. I really enjoy this book and love how it shows all the obstacles along the way for a simple little seed. Carle’s distinctive collage will keep your children marveling at the illustrations while learning about plants.

The Gardener

The Gardener by Sarah Stewart Is a really touching book that I would happily recommend for school age children. It’s a beautiful story about a little girl during the depression who is shipped to the city to work in her uncle’s bakery because both her parents are out of work. She is obviously nervous but knows that it’s something she has to do. She takes a little of the country with her in seed packets. Then, she plants these in the city, while she learns about baking and becomes friends with her uncle’s employees. This is more a story about making the most of hard times. It would be a great way to talk about the great depression with your child.

There are so many little things in the illustrations by David Small to talk about, from a picture of FDR to traveling by train and the general sense of sadness. In the end, it’s a warm-hearted book that I can’t wait to share with my son in a few years.


Zinnia’s Flower Garden by Monica Wellington is really useful not just about teaching about flowers and gardens, but also about patience and the annual cycle of a garden. Zinnia plants and waits, waters, and then enjoys her flowers. Then they die and she collects the seeds and plans her garden for next year. I love that the main story is perfect for my almost  3-year-old. However, there is much more for older children with longer attention spans. There is a little journal with notes about what’s happening with her garden, and various facts about plants as well. Like in so many of her books, the author celebrates hard work and her characters take great pride in what they do. A fantastic message for readers, big and little. I also love the mix of illustration and photographs in this book especially. It gives the illustrations depth and a really interesting look.

Filed Under: Garden Sensory Tub, Gardening, Nature Activities, Sensory Activities, Sensory Tubs | 18 Comments

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18 Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    March 31, 2011 at 8:32 am

    This is a really beautiful spring tub! I tried to do beans too, but yours is much prettier! 🙂 I love the lentils!

    to Stephanie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Stephanie'>reply to this comment
  2. Natalie says

    March 31, 2011 at 11:02 am

    Great book choices. I have to look for the second book on your list. The garden spring tub sounds lovely, and one can also paint those pots.

    to Natalie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Natalie'>reply to this comment
  3. sarah says

    April 1, 2011 at 8:49 pm

    are sensory tubs an activity the little ones can do independently? I’m looking for something to keep my 2yr old entertained while I home school the older three.

    to sarah" aria-label='reply to this comment to sarah'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      April 1, 2011 at 9:01 pm

      No not at 2. I would not suggest one for independent play at 2, supervision is definitely required at that age .

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  4. sunnymama says

    April 2, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Your spring garden tub is gorgeous! It would be lovely if you’d like to share this with our Spring Carnival 🙂
    http://sunnydaytodaymama.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/all-year-round-blog-carnival-spring.html

    to sunnymama" aria-label='reply to this comment to sunnymama'>reply to this comment
  5. Clarissa Hooper says

    March 6, 2014 at 8:07 am

    Such a cool sensory tub! Love the book pairings as well. Pinned 🙂

    to Clarissa Hooper" aria-label='reply to this comment to Clarissa Hooper'>reply to this comment
  6. Jill says

    April 13, 2015 at 6:22 am

    This is such an attractive combination! I love the small lentils/peas paired with the large beans and pasta. My son (nearly age three) has spent a good part of the hour dumping and sorting. 🙂 Thanks for this idea!

    to Jill" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jill'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      April 16, 2015 at 2:25 am

      I love watching them so into dumping and pouring and sorting… I was mesmerized by how seriously one of my students was doing just that today. Glad it was a hit!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment

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