Have you ever made a sensory bin for your kids? These can be super simple or as elaborate as you like, but I can pretty much guarantee your toddlers and school-age kids will have a blast searching through for treasures and squeezing the different objects in their hands.

My daughter loved the bins I’d put together with beans or sand when she was a tot, but I haven’t made a new one in a while. I know that even at age 6 1/2, she still loves the tactile sensation and it’s just good FUN to play make-believe with all of the little items they’ll find in the bin.

Since autumn is just around the corner, I’ve put together a few fall sensory bins that you can use as a jumping-off point for your own creations! I can’t wait to make one of these with the help of my soon-to-be elementary student!

10 Sensory Bins For Fall

This watery sensory bin was made from fall treasures found on a nature walk! We love taking walks through the woods when the leaves are turning and kids love it too. It’s a magical time of year, perfect for gathering up little pieces of nature like sticks, leaves, and acorns. (via B-Inspired Mama)

I love the addition of pinecones in this bin and before you put it together, you can get your kids to paint them up with fall colors. This bin also has some shinning table scatter tossed in and some measuring spoons for scooping. (via Sow Sprout Play)

Mmm, cinnamon is the perfect autumn scent, so why not make an apple cinnamon sensory bin? You can follow up your playtime with a little baking time! I’m seriously craving some apple pie now! (via Fantastic Fun And Learning)

Sunflower seeds make for a wonderful texture in this sensory bin — or table as it’s set up here! I can just hear how wonderful it would sound to hear kids pouring and scooping in these seeds and another autumn accouterment! (via Frogs Snails & Puppy Dog Tails)

I love the idea of adding in some awesome homemade playdough for an extra element in your sensory bin! The dough they used is even friendly for gluten-sensitive families, so you’re good to go! I know my daughter would have a blast pressing different autumn items into the dough to see the patterns they’d leave behind. (via Wildflower Ramblings)

Build a little barn and bring out the livestock for this fun barnyard sensory bin! I have a feeling this would be my daughter’s favorite. We visited a Donkey Sanctuary over the weekend and she’s always right at home around the animals. I love that the barn for this bin was made from a Lipton tea box and craft sticks! (via Love & Lollipops)

10 Sensory Bins For Fall

Seeds, beans, and nuts, plus an assortment of natural items, and small plastic toy animals make for a fun playscape for curious little minds. Kids will build little animal hideouts, paths, and homes with this assortment. (via Pre-School Play)

Homemade seasonally scented rice makes a wonderful base for your autumn sensory bins. This rice has been colored with food coloring and scented with spices and other things to make them smell like apple, clove, cranberry, pumpkin, and coffee. Yum! (via Growing A Jeweled Rose)

Autumn is all about apples and sunny, breezy trips to the orchard. But, if you’re stuck at home on a rainy day, you might just want to whip up an apple-inspired sensory bin. This one has a lovely green base of split peas along with tiny pom pom apples! (via Pink And Green Mama)

I just love the colors in this one! Adding a bit of liquid food dye to the water makes for a totally different effect. Kids can make up their very own autumn soup! (via And Next Comes L)

As always, be sure to keep an eye on your kiddos when they are enjoying their sensory boxes and remind them not to pop little bits in their mouth. It’s all about exploration though, so let them dig in!

PS. Want to know more about sensory bin and their benefits? Check out this great Sensory Bin 101 post from Love, Play, Learn for some awesome insight!