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.
- 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.
- Start by pouring the dried beans and lentils into the tub.
- Next, add a handful of butterflies (the dry bow tie pasta).
- Add some mini flower pots and explore.
- My son was fascinated by the lima beans, as they are not a staple on our dinner table.
- You can simply scoop and pour with the flower pots.
- 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 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.
Stephanie says
This is a really beautiful spring tub! I tried to do beans too, but yours is much prettier! 🙂 I love the lentils!
Natalie says
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.
sarah says
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.
admin says
No not at 2. I would not suggest one for independent play at 2, supervision is definitely required at that age .
sunnymama says
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
Clarissa Hooper says
Such a cool sensory tub! Love the book pairings as well. Pinned 🙂
Jill says
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!
Allison McDonald says
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!