What’s the easiest to make Halloween cute rather than creepy? Create a fun and simple sensory bin, like this monster soup!
Every Halloween we create a version of this monster soup sensory bin. Sometimes we make a potion version with vinegar and bicarb of soda and other times we cheat a little and use a fizzy bath bomb instead. Creating themed sensory bins like this one are a fun and hands-on way to help very young children make connections to the celebrations of the season.
Why should you create a Monster Soup sensory bin?
Creating themed activities for young children helps them to connect to the world around them and learn about seasonal events in a fun and hands-on way. Autumn is no different which is why it can be fun (and educational) to create a Halloween sensory bin – just like this monster soup idea!
Here are some benefits of creating this Halloween sensory bin:
Making connections to the world around them: following seasonal themes helps children to understand the events that are happening in their culture.
Making Halloween cute rather than creepy: googly eyes are pretty funny and this really simple monster sensory bin is a less scary option for very young children this Halloween.
Language and vocabulary building: there’s plenty of opportunities to learn new and topical words such as ‘pumpkin’, ‘monster’ and ‘potion.’
Fine Motor Skills: Using items like pipettes in the monster soup means those little hands get a good workout
Hand-eye coordination: Scooping the googly eyes and water into the bowls requires hand-eye coordination, as well as a skill called crossing the midline – there the dominant hand crosses over to the other side of the body.
You can read more about the general benefits of sensory play here.
What resources should you put in a Monster soup sensory bin?
This simple monster soup sensory play idea requires very few resources. Most should be easily available in your bathroom, store cupboard and craft cupboard. If you don’t have the specific resources, use alternatives from around your house.
We always save Halloween decorations and craft resources from the previous year to use in crafts and activities. When not in use, we place them in a cardboard box, clearly labelled as ‘Halloween’ so they are easy to find the following year.
In this case, we used the following in our sensory bin:
- fizzy bath bombs in purple, blue and orange (you could also use liquid food dye)
- google eyes
- pipettes
- plastic containers from the recycling bin
- plastic cups
We placed all of the ingredients in our Flisat table with a messy mat underneath to catch any spills.
At Home Autumn Art & Sensory Camp
If you enjoyed this simple monster soup sensory bin and wanted to find more fun Autumn themed activities, check out the At Home Autumn Art & Sensory Camp in my membership group. If you would like to access the content, you can check it out here.
Autumn Blog posts to read next:
If you loved this blog post about creating an easy monster soup sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers, you might also enjoy some of our other Autumn posts. Most are suitable for both toddlers and preschoolers:
Autumn Art Ideas for Preschoolers
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Mask
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story basket
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt pre-writing skills activity
21 Autumn Ideas for the Entire Family
Autumn Activities for Kids: 25 Playful Prompts
Autumn Preschool Leaf Cutting Tray
Sunflower Sensory Play Activity
Simple Autumn Sensory: Pumpkin soup
You can also search the keyword ‘Autumn’ in the blog search bar for the most up-to-date Autumn blog post listing.
Interested in learning more?
If you want to learn more about sensory play and the importance of play in the early years, you might just like my exclusive membership, ‘How I drink my Coffee Hot’ too. The membership costs just $5 per month and you get access to 10 mini courses on a range of topics including sensory play, play spaces and starting school. Here are some membership posts that you might enjoy:
