Savannah Animal Sensory Bin

Sensory play is a crucial part of childhood development. It engages the senses, allowing children to explore and learn about their environment in a hands-on way.

Today, I’m excited to share a delightful sensory bin activity that combines the wonder of the African savannah with the convenience of your own home.

This easy-to-assemble Savannah Animal Sensory Bin is not only fun but also an educational experience for your little ones, and is perfect for outdoor play.

My daughter, a big fan of Disney’s The Lion Guard, (the Disney Junior version of the Lion King, which is perfect for preschoolers and toddlers) has always been fascinated by the animals of the savannah, so creating this simple and engaging sensory bin was the perfect way to keep her happily busy while bringing the characters and landscapes she loves to life.

The Savannah Animal Sensory Bin is specifically designed with toddlers and preschoolers in mind. This is a magical age range where sensory play can have a profound impact on developmental milestones.

Toddlers, starting as young as 18 months, begin to delve into the exploration of textures, colors, and the basics of cause-and-effect.

Preschoolers, up to age 5, are at the stage where they can engage more deeply with role-playing and storytelling, enhancing their cognitive and linguistic abilities. This sensory bin provides a rich and safe environment for both age groups to learn, grow, and let their imaginations roam as wildly as the animals of the savannah.

It’s an ideal activity that parents can easily tailor to suit the individual developmental pace and interests of their child.

Materials Needed for the Savannah Sensory Bin

• IKEA TROFAST tray or any similar shallow container
• Water
• Blue food coloring
• Schleich animal figures (or any other durable animal toys)
• Rocks and sticks from the garden
• Optional: leaves, grass, or any safe natural elements you can find

A lot of the animals and terrain you see in our sensory bin actually came from this Schleich watering hole set, which has been passed down through all of my kids.

Benefits of Sensory Play

Sensory bins like this one provide various developmental benefits:

• Cognitive Growth: Exploring the different elements can improve children’s problem-solving skills and understanding of the world.
• Fine Motor Skills: Picking up small figures and manipulating natural items can refine their motor skills.
• Language Development: Describing the animals and terrain can expand their vocabulary.
• Emotional Regulation: Sensory play can be incredibly soothing, helping children learn to regulate their emotions.

Learning Opportunities

This sensory bin is a mini safari adventure. As children play, they can learn about:

• Animal Habitats: Discuss where each animal lives and how they survive in the savannah.
• Color Recognition: Identify the colors of the animals and the water.
• Imaginative Play: Encourage storytelling and role-play based on animal behavior.

Related: Handprint Lion Craft for Kids

How to Put It Together

1. Prepare the Water: Fill your tray with enough water to create a shallow pool. Add a few drops of blue food coloring to give it that “savannah waterhole” look.
2. Arrange the Terrain: Place the Schleich figures in the tray. Create different areas for the animals to “live.”
3. Add Natural Elements: Scatter rocks and sticks around the tray to mimic the savannah. If you have other natural elements like leaves or grass, include them too.
4. Let the Adventure Begin: Invite your child to explore their miniature savannah.

Tips:

• Set up the bin on a surface that can get wet or outdoors.
• Supervise your child to ensure they don’t put small parts in their mouth.
• After play, store the figures and natural elements properly for future use.

Remember, this activity is highly adaptable. Don’t have a specific animal figure? Use what you have at home and let your child’s imagination fill in the gaps. The key is to create an environment that will stimulate their senses and curiosity.

So, dive into this sensory playtime and watch your child discover the wonders of the African savannah right from your backyard. It’s a playful journey into learning that they won’t soon forget!

More Sensory Play and Sensory Bins

If you’ve enjoyed setting up the Savannah Animal Sensory Bin for your little explorer, you might be on the lookout for more creative and stimulating sensory play ideas. Sensory bins are a fantastic way to enrich your child’s playtime with educational and developmental benefits.

Here at In The Playroom, we have a treasure trove of sensory play activities that are just waiting to be discovered.

From ocean-themed explorations to arctic adventures, each sensory bin is a new world for your child to discover. Feel free to browse through our collection and pick the next exciting activity for your youngster!

• Bee-Themed Sensory Bin for Preschoolers
• Easy DIY Unicorn Sensory Bottle
• Ocean Animals Sensory Bin
• Quick and Easy Dyed and Scented Rice for Sensory Play
• The Ultimate List of Rainbow Sensory Play
• Celebrating Earth Day Sensory Play Ideas for Kids

Did your child have a roaring good time with this savannah-inspired sensory bin? If you found this activity to be a hit, we’d be thrilled if you’d share the experience with others. Whether it’s a pin on Pinterest, a post on Facebook, or a snapshot on Instagram, your shares help other parents discover fun, educational activities to do with their children.

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