Easter rice sensory bin

We took a sensory bin outside today as the sun was shining and it was the perfect Spring day!

I had some rainbow rice left over from another activity, so I just popped it into a large tub with some fillable eggs and chicks for a fun Easter invitation to play.

Contains affiliate links - see disclosure

What I loved about this sensory bin was how unbelievably simple it was to put together and just how long the boys were entertained for.

Making rainbow rice is so easy and it can be used time and time again! To make it you just need to separate some plain white rice into ziploc bags, add a drop of food colouring to each, mix well and spread out to dry. We only used a little here for the pastel hues, but add a few drops and you can get some really vivid colours.

Mr 1 ran straight over and had a little look at what was in the tub. It's normally just water in the garden in our house, so he was pleasantly surprised to see the colourful rice and little chicks.

He started picking up rice and letting it drop through his fingers. Sensory play is such a great way to introduce little ones to concepts such as material properties and gravity.

He explored the rice with all his senses and even had a little taste to see what it was like. Luckily, while rice coloured with food colouring isn't edible, it's totally safe for babies to sample. I always encourage my boys to spit out anything they shouldn't eat by making a really over-the-top 'yuck' face and a noise.

Mr 4 joined in, scooping up the rice in big fistfuls and stuffing it into the fillable eggs, working his little finger muscles and improving dexterity while he played.

Close up of child playing with easter rice sensory bin

We had so much fun filling the eggs and using them as little shakers. Mr 4 experimented with adding different amounts to change the sound.

Watch the video:

See more sensory bin ideas here

Mr 1 enjoyed watching me pour the rice from a height and seeing the pretty colours rain down. It made a lovely sound too. He tried to grab them as they fell - such a fun way for him to develop his hand-eye coordination!