Rock Sensory Bin

Part of one summer, we did a lot of collecting of rocks or different colors and shapes. And we got them from a lot of the places that we visited, which had collected rocks you could buy in little bags.

We got bags of rocks from various places. We wanted to do something fun to play with them. So all the rock were put in a rock sensory bin with a fun black rock filler.

A super easy to use up sensory bin and a fun to explore sensory bin for kids.

The Rock Sensory Bin is a great addition to the sensory bins on the site.

What is a sensory bin?

A sensory bin is typically a plastic tub or container filled with carefully selected materials and objects to stimulate the senses of children in preschool.

Sensory bins might have rice, water beads, corn, beans, or other types filled with small items.

Rock Sensory Bin

We took all the rocks we gathered over the summer and put them in a rock sensory bin. We use black rocks as the fill with the colored rocks to explore.

We had fun exploring the texture and colors of the rocks. This is a great sensory bin for kids in prek (ages 4 to 5) and kindergarten 9ages 5 to 6).

Books to Read with the Rock Sensory Bin

We also read about some rocks in the book: Rocks, Fossils & Arrowheads (Take Along Guides). We talked about the different type of rocks that you can see. This was fun to read before hand so we knew about the different types of rocks.

We also read the book Everybody Needs a Rock (An Aladdin Book). This is a great ideas about picking out your own rock. We have grown to love this book. I really like #2 in the book. This makes for something fun while playing in the sensory bin and picking out rocks.

What we used to make the Rock Sensory Bin

We have included links to some of the products and resources we have used with this activity. If you purchase via the links we may earn a small commission.

• color rock with mixed colors
• black rocks
• paper bin with lid

Ways to Use the Rock Sensory Bin

These are just a few ideas to use with the Rock sensory bin. And remember that you might have more ideas to do with the rocks.

Play in the Rock Sensory Bin

The most important part about a sensory bin is to PLAY in the sensory bin. It is a simple activity for kids to do to explore different colors textures and just play with the rocks. And if they do nothing else that is okay!

Explore the Different Colors of Rocks

My youngest started out just looking through the bin and exploring what kind of rocks she could see. She loved exploring the different textures of the rocks.

She then started sorting out some of the different rocks. She sorted them by color, similar rocks and colored vs the plain black color.

You could also learn about the rock cycle using the rocks in the sensory in.

Compare What Is Different and Same

We did some simple what is the same and what is different with two different type of black rocks. We had shiny rocks and glossy rocks. It was fun to look at. We noted shape and size.

This is great for older kids to look at the rocks and write what is different about them as well!

Sort the Rocks

She sorted the rock in the bin. She had same colored rocks on one side and color or fancy rocks on the other side. Once they were all sorted she used the black rocks to cover the fancy rocks.

We Used the Rocks on a Dot Maker Letter R

We also used the rocks from the bin to help fill in the dots on the lower case r is for Rock Dot marker page.

Remember That All Ages Like Sensory Bins

This was a really fun and simple sensory bin! She loved it a lot. Her older sister also like to play with the Rock Sensory Bin as well. They all took their turn and pulled out and sorting all the different colored rocks.

Also check out our extension from this activity in our Rock Zen Garden! A simple way to use the same rocks in a different way. Also keep scrolling to see other sensory bin ideas and more rock sensory bins.

Check out these other Simple Sensory Bins For Kids

The Rock and Rice Sensory bin is a simple sensory bin made with colorful rocks and has a rice filler. It is super easy to make and use with kids.

Button Sensory Bin is a sensory bin just filled with buttons that kids can use the scoop, pour and thread. There are so many ways to use this sensory bin.

Constellations Sensory Bin is a great back and white rock sensory bin for kids. You can move the rocks around and make star patterns for kids.

Rock & Water Bead Sensory Bin is a blast to play in. It has green water beads for the base and colored rocks added to the bin. You could use plain rocks as well. And kids love this bin because it is so much fun to explore.

Wood Bead Sensory Bin is a sensory bin filled with wood beads and great for fine motor play with a pipe cleaner for threading the beads.

Check out all the fun Sensory Bin Activities on 3 Dinosaurs.

Cassie – 3Dinosaurs.com