19+ Fun Spring Sensory Play Ideas (for Toddlers & Preschoolers)
We have rounded up the best spring sensory play ideas that include DIY sensory bins, spring themed sensory activities for indoors and outdoors, along with sensory bottles and bags that are perfect for toddlers and preschoolers to keep them busy!
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If your little ones love themed sensory play, you’ll want to bookmark a few of our other seasonal and themed roundups to keep the fun going all year long. Pair these spring ideas with our 29+ Easy Summer Sensory Activities (Low Prep Ideas for Kids) for warm-weather water and sand play, or explore our 19+ Easy Nature Inspired Sensory Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers for outdoor exploration that fits perfectly with springtime walks and backyard play.
Looking to switch things up with a different theme? Our 20+ Out of This World Space Themed Sensory Activities and Bins for Kids is packed with imaginative ideas your kids will love. And if you’re new to sensory play or want to understand why it matters so much for early development, head over to What Is Sensory Play? Benefits, Examples, and Why It Matters for Kids for a complete beginner-friendly guide.
Catching Butterflies Sensory Bin
Make the cutest spring sensory bin using green split peas and bow tie pasta! Plus, learn how to dye the pasta different colors!
Nature Sensory Bottles
With warmer spring weather, it’s the perfect time to get outside and go on a hunt for nature items to make your own sensory bottles that offers hours of play time.
Bee Sensory Bin by Homeschool Preschool
Kids will be buzzing with excitement over this fun bee sensory bin. Black and yellow-dyed rice, toy bees, and pasta noodles offer so much to explore.
Rain Sensory Bin by The Ladybirds’ Adventures
Rainy day play is pure magic when puddles are involved, but spring weather loves to change its mind. This rain sensory bin brings all the rain-themed fun indoors.
Spring Flower Sensory Bin by Messy Little Monster
This pretty, colorful sensory bin is just the thing to celebrate spring. Bright flowers help add a little cheer, even if the weather is still gloomy.
Earth Day Sensory Bottles by Natural Beach Living
Earth Day is April 22, so an Earth day sensory bottle is a perfect spring activity. This one is easy to make and allows for some leeway in materials to keep things simple.
Fairy Tale Sensory Bin by 3 Boys and a Dog
Springtime naturally calls up images of fairies, so it’s the perfect time for this fairy tale sensory bin. Using natural materials helps add to the sensory benefits.
DIY Butterfly Sensory Bottle by The Mindful Toddler
Calm down bottles are a great way to keep a sensory experience for kids right at hand. This bottle looks like a whole swarm of butterflies fluttering around inside.
Insect Sensory Bin by Simply Full of Delight
Kids who love bugs will love this insect sensory bin, and kids who don’t might just not mind the plastic play bugs nearly as much. Plus, the pinto bean “dirt” is a great filler option that isn’t nearly as messy as real dirt.
Spring Flower Playdough Tray by Beth Ann Averill
Everybody knows that April showers bring May flowers, and this sensory bin is proof. Filled with a mix of pretty colors and natural manipulatives, it offers kids a variety of textures to experience.
Rainbow Sensory Bin by Living Life & Learning
This bin is filled with loads of bright colors and fun, fuzzy items for kids. But the real star of the show is the inviting rainbow-colored sensory rice.
Flower Exploration Center by Buggy and Buddy
Let kids play naturalist with this fun, easy to set up experience. They can explore all sorts of aspects involving different types of flowers.
Edible Jellybean Slime by STEAMsational
Slime is truly one of the stars of sensory play, but there’s always the danger that it looks a little bit too inviting. That’s not a problem here, since this slime recipe is edible, and it’s loaded up with tasty jellybeans as well.
Spring Bird Nest Sensory Bin by Crafty Kids Play
This bird nest does require a special play set, but it’s worth the purchase price. Not only do kids get in some sensory fun building bird nests, but they can work on color matching too.
Cloud Bin Alphabet Preschool Letter Activity by 123 Homeschool 4 Me
This wild sensory experience for kids also helps teach them their letters. They have to rescue the letters from a cotton ball “cloud” using sensory tongs.
Easter Egg Sensory Bag by A Little Pinch of Perfect
Sensory bags are great for younger kids, since squishing and manipulating the bag is great motor practice for them as well. This one is easy to set up, and they can play with the Easter egg bag over and over again.
Color Sorting Sensory Bag by The Best Ideas for Kids
Here’s another sensory bag, this time with a color learning theme. Kids manipulate colored beads to the matching section of a cute caterpillar drawn on the outside.
Flower Soup – Easy Spring Sensory Bin by Taming Little Monsters
This sensory bin keeps things beautifully simple, yet it holds kids’ attention far longer than you might expect. Floating flower petals and water invite little hands to explore gentle colors, soft textures, and delicate scents.
Painting With Flowers by Finding Myself Young
Flower painting is a fantastic way for kids to get a little messy, but have big fun. And there’s no wrong way to do it, all they need are flowers, paint, and paper.
Colorful Bubble Foam by Fox Farm Home
Bubble foam is one of the best sensory play options out there, hands down. Plus it’s so easy to make, and even easier to clean up.
Free Printable Garden Playdough Mats by Picklebums
Playdough is another shining star in the sensory play arena, so this idea is a must-try. The printable playdough mats each have a gardening-related or horticultural theme.
Meadow Oobleck Sensory Play by Kids Craft Room
This spring sensory play idea is a two-parter, both of which offer great sensory options. First kids gather and sort various outdoor plants. Then they can make some oobleck (with a parent’s help) and see how many ways they can interact with the two things.
💕Favorite Sensory Supplies
Spring sensory play is such a fun way to celebrate the season while giving kids chances to explore, create, and learn through play. Whether you try a few ideas or all 20, these simple activities can bring lots of hands-on fun and happy little moments to your day. I hope this list gives you plenty of fresh inspiration for playful springtime fun at home or in the classroom.
