We absolutely love, love, love sensory activities around here, they’re one of our favorite ways to play. I created this incredibly simple pet sensory bin activity for my son and it was smash hit. A little dirt and some bubbles makes for one happy kid!
Pet Sensory Bin
Sensory play is a wonderful way for kids to explore and learn about the world around them. It’s the perfect way to invite them to learn using their senses, engage in imaginary play, and even learn some life skills along the way.
Pet Sensory Activity Set-Up
For this sensory activity, the set up couldn’t have been easier.
Materials:
- Two plastic containers
- Mud
- Bubble bath
- Cleaning supplies (towels, sponges, tooth brush, etc)
- Dog figures (such as Dogs TOOB) or other animal figures
To create your own Wash The Dog sensory activity, first fill one plastic tub with mud. Just add a few scoops of dirt from the playground or backyard and some water to make mud.
Next, place some pet figures in the mud – hiding a few and really making things good and dirty.
Then, fill the other tub with clean water, bubble bath, and a variety of cleaning tools.
Pet Sensory Bin Introduction
Start by introducing the pet theme to your students. Ask them questions like “What does the word ‘pet’ mean?”
Identifying and discussing this vocabulary word is an important part of the introduction process. Ask your students to name some pets they either have or have seen in the world around them.
Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!
Pet Theme Bundle
18 of our most popular pet theme resources, including math, literacy, and dramatic play! Make learning fun with these hands-on resources!
Next, introduce the activity and invite your kids to explore the pet figures, the mud, and the water in the bins. Ask them what they think they should do if their animals are dirty? Then let them have at it and see how it goes.
You’ll be amazed at all of the wonderful imaginary play and conversations that will happen around bathing the animals.
He headed off into a wonderful imaginary play adventure bathing these animals and cleaning them for their day.
This activity really captured my son’s imagination. He cleaned each dog and cat with the water then transferred them back to the mud before beginning this game all over again. I love an activity that he can restart on his own with total ease.
The mess from the mud was minimal. Actually, hardly any at all. It wasn’t the nicest day so we did this inside and it was just fine for us. Certainly this would be a wonderful warm weather activity to do outside, too.
This sensory activity was terrific for us. My son loves the opposite play of the clean water vs. the mud, and I loved how engaged and active he was when playing. A perfect pet activity!
BIO: Susie is a former kindergarten teacher turned SAHM mom who’s just trying to make it to nap time. She blogs about the simple activities she does with her kids at Busy Toddler. You can join her party on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
More Pet Theme Activities—
Pet Paw Print Art
Pet Cafe Dramatic Play
Pet Supply Scavenger Hunt
Pet Shop Small World
