Mini Star Sensory Bin

A themed sensory bin can be just the item needed to address fine motor skills through tactile sensory play and tactile exploration with a themed twist. This mini sensory bin does just that with a starry night theme. This miniature version of a sensory bin can be tossed into a therapy bag for a fresh sensory activity!
Make a mini star sensory bin and use it to address fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, eye-hand coordination, and other skills as part of an occupational therapy activity kit bin rotation system while addressing therapy goals with kids.

Mini Sensory Bin Activity 

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We’ve done plenty of sensory bins here on The OT Toolbox. From water sensory bin play to tactile play using mediums like rocks, sand, or even clay…exploring various sensations through pretend play and exploration is fun in a way that encourages fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, bilateral coordination, graded grasp and release, crossing midline and much more!
Check out this sensory bin we made that is perfect for addressing stress and self-regulation.
Use star chain links to work on therapy goals like fine motor skills and sensory needs with a mini star sensory bin.

This mini sensory bin can be used for so many underlying goal areas: 

Pincer grasp- We used dry black beans as a sensory bin medium. Kids can explore and move the beans within the bin while building a pincer grasp as they hold and manipulate individual beans. Ask the child to pick up a single bean to count or to place within the star-shaped chain links.
In-Hand Manipulation- Use the black beans to boost the essential skill of in-hand manipulation as they hold and move a small handful of beans with in the hand. Ask the child to hold beans in their hand as they slowly drop one or a few beans at a time into the lid section of the bin. They can fill in the star chain links while working on this skill. 
Bilateral Coordination- Connect the star chain links together while addressing and improving tripod grasp, arch development, while allowing both hands to work together in a coordinated manner. 
Scooping and precision- Use a spoon or other utensil to refine the skills needed to move, scoop, transfer, and pour the beans into the lid section of the bin. Read more about developing and refining scooping, pouring, and transferring here.
Use star chain links to work on therapy goals like fine motor skills and sensory needs with a mini star sensory bin.

How to Make a Mini Star Sensory Bin

We used just a few materials to make this mini star sensory bin for tactile sensory input and fine motor play:
Spoon
This is such a versatile and easy sensory bin to put together. Just pour 1-2 cups of dry black beans into a bin. Add the chain links…and play! 
Add this sensory bin into a therapy bag or add it to a therapy bin rotation
Use star chain links to work on therapy goals like fine motor skills and sensory needs with a mini star sensory bin.
Looking for more sensory play that boosts underlying skills? Try these ideas:
 S Themed sensory bins sticks and stones sensory play Water Bead Pretend Tea Party Liquid Chalk Driveway Sensory Play Circus Sensory Bin




Looking for more occupational therapy kits that can be used in a bin rotation in therapy? Here are lots of ideas:

Make a mini star sensory bin and use it to address fine motor skills, bilateral coordination, eye-hand coordination, and other skills as part of an occupational therapy activity kit bin rotation system while addressing therapy goals with kids.

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