I absolutely love fall and am excited to start doing some fall activities with my boys. Although it will be blazing hot out this week in our town (highs in the 90s and 100s!), I thought it would be fun to start doing some apple activities. To start our apple unit, we created an apple sensory bin.
In this bin, I put dry oatmeal, plastic apples, and a few acorns that are buried. I bought the plastic apples at Michael’s Craft Store. They come in a pack of 20 for $6.99. I know it is kind of expensive, but I’m also going to use them as decorations around the house this fall. And I always use a 40% off coupon when I’m at Michael’s!
I set up an invitation to play on our back deck. I took a large sheet and placed the sensory bin, tools, and pattern cards on the sheet. I love placing a sheet down when we use sensory bins because it makes clean up very easy!
The boys dug, poured, buried and uncovered apples and acorns with this bin.
My oldest practiced fine motor skills with tweezers. He also enjoyed counting all the apples he pulled out with his tweezers.
Then we practiced patterns with apple cards I created.
I created these cards to help my 3 year old practice patterning. To use these, I had him place apples on top of the appropriate colors. After he completed a row, I asked him what color would come next. I was surprised at how well he did at this! 🙂
I printed these sheets on cardstock paper and placed them in plastic sleeves. You can download your own set, here —> Apple Pattern Cards
Have a great day!
This is such a great activity! I had fun revisiting it. I featured your post and photo in my 30+ Apple Sensory Tubs post today. 🙂
Deb @ Living Montessori Now recently posted…30+ Apple Sensory Tubs
I love this one and it is being featured today at the Ultimate Sensory Play Party. Hope you come and share another one or two!
Sarah recently posted…Ultimate Sensory Play Party Linky #5
Love this idea! Where did you get that cute little skunk?
Thanks, Amanda! I got it at a local school supply store called The Learning Post. Perhaps you could find it on Amazon?
I love your sensory bin, Angela! Great idea to make pattern cards to go with it! Thanks so much for sharing your free pattern cards. I featured your post as the Free Printable of the Day at the Living Montessori Now Facebook page (and will feature it on my Free Printable of the Day Pinterest board once Pinterest is back up).
Deb @ Living Montessori Now recently posted…September Themed Activities for Kids
Oats?! Seriously brilliant! I hadn’t thought of using them. And now I will! Thank you for sharing! We will also be using your apple pattern cards.
Thank you! 🙂 I love using oats in sensory bins–it smells great!
love this sensory bin. I try to spend as little as possible, but I think I might “splurge” on the plastic apples too. You’re right they would be used over and over so why not. Pinning This
Alex @ TeachThroughPlay recently posted…Week 1 Day 3: Emotions
I love this bin and really hope you come share it with us today! I am so excited for fall things.
Sarah recently posted…Ultimate Wednesday Sensory Play Party #4
I think oats must feel and smell amazing, that looks like a great sensory activity.
I love how you set up the invitation to play. I also how you put the bin together. Ca you tell me what size it is. I have been using a shoe size type box lately for space reasons, but think a bit bigger might be better. Your looks bigger, but not too big. So, I am curious what actual bin you are using. If you could let me know by emailing me or leaving a comment at http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/, I’d appreciate it. I also put together an apple bin recently – http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/2013/08/apple-picking-sensory-bin-kit.html
Martianne recently posted…Officially Introducing Art, Imagination and the NFL
Hi, Martianne! I apologize for taking so long to write back to your comment. The size is 12 quarts. I think it is a perfect size. Hope that helps!