Sensory bins are always a great idea, and who doesn’t love ice cream?! Ice cream is a year-round favorite, and a theme is a fun way to change up your sensory bin.
This colorful activity is perfect for sensory play, as well as fine motor work for young kids! Fine motor activities such as this one are extremely important for toddlers and preschoolers, as they help develop handwriting skills and their ability to perform important daily tasks. When you introduce your child to playful learning activities such as this one, they are getting that educational experience, and having fun at the same time.
Fill a large tray or storage container with rice – and you have the ultimate sensory experience. There is something about rice that kids are so drawn to – scooping, pouring, transferring, and running it through their fingers. We love to dye our rice in a variety of rainbow colors with food colors and vinegar before playing! But, white rice would work as well.
What you need to create an Ice Cream Sensory Bin
White rice
Optional Vinegar, Food Storage Containers and Food Colors to dye the rice beforehand
Plastic Storage bin or tray
Ice Cream cones and bowls
Ice Cream Scoop
Pom Poms
Step 1 (Optional): Dye your rice if you prefer. Add 4 cups of rice to a food storage container, along with 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 10 drops of food coloring of your choice. Shake until rice is covered. Repeat for each color. Lay flat on a cookie sheet to dry for 2 hours before playing.
Step 2: Fill a large storage bin or tray with the white or colored rice
Step 3: Add in an ice cream scoop, cone, bowls, and pom poms for play!
Step 4: Kids can use the ice cream scoops to fill up the cones, and scoop “ice cream” into the ice cream bowls. Great fine motor practice for toddlers and preschoolers!
Your little ones will enjoy all of the imaginary play!
