Easy Space Sensory Bin with Dyed Chickpeas
Outer space sensory bin launching in 5…4…3…2…1! My kids love a good countdown, and even more, they love a fun outer space themed activity. Outer space is one of those places as a teacher I wish I could take my students on a field trip. But since I can’t, I’ll just have to settle for this space themed sensory bin! Little astronaut imaginations will be blasting off with creative ideas!
Recommended Grade Level:
Chickpea Outer Space Sensory Bin Supplies:
- 2 16 oz bags of dried chickpeas
- Acrylic paint – light blue, dark blue, purple, and black
- 4 sandwich-size ziplock bags
- 1 cup measuring cup
- Wax paper
- Cooking sheet
Getting Ready for Your Space Theme?
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What Is An Outer Space Sensory Bin?
A sensory bin is a bin full of materials that encourages open ended play while engaging a child’s senses. This outer space themed sensory bin will have children pretending to be astronauts exploring the solar system. Watch as they create their own adventures and listen as they tell space themed stories. If your little explorer is anything like mine, they won’t want to stop after just one outer space activity. Check out these Fun Ideas For A Solar System Theme for more exciting space activities!
Dyed galaxy chickpeas make a great sensory bin filler because they give a fun texture for little hands to feel, make cool sounds for kids to listen to, and the colorful variety of paint makes them super eye catching! If you love these galaxy chickpeas as a filler, you need to check out these Sensory Space Rocks as well! Keep them in two separate bins or mix them together to enhance the sensory experience.
Materials You Will Need for Making Dyed Chickpeas:
- 2 16 oz bags of dried chickpeas
- Acrylic paint – light blue, dark blue, purple, and black
- 4 sandwich-size Ziploc bags
- 1 cup measuring cup
- Wax paper
- Cookie sheet
How to Make Dyed Chickpeas for the Space Sensory Bin
Step One:
Gather all of your materials.
Tip: My child loves when I give them a check list to help keep track of the materials we have collected! You can use pictures or words and point to the items they need to check off if they need extra help.
Step Two:
Prepare your cookie sheet so you don’t need to worry about it once you have coated the chickpeas in paint. Simply cover the cookie sheet with wax paper and set it aside!
Step Three:
Divide the chickpeas evenly among the four Ziploc baggies. This will be around 1 1/4 cups per bag.
Teacher Tip: This is a great time to introduce measurement to an older child and have them help use the measuring cup!
Step Four:
Add a squirt of paint to each of the 4 bags. Use a different color for each baggie. Seal the bag (here comes the fun part!) and shake and roll the bag until all of the chickpeas are covered in paint.
Step Five:
Carefully pour each of the baggies out onto the cookie sheet you prepared earlier in the activity. Allow about 3-4 hours drying time for the chickpeas.
Tip: For faster drying, try to get them into a single thin layer. You can feel free to add another cookie sheet if this would help you fit them better!
Step Six:
Enjoy! It’s time for some out-of-this-world sensory bin fun!
Yay! You Made Your Space Sensory Bin! What Now?
Now that your space sensory bin is made, simply add some space themed accessories. Sensory bin toys do not need to be fancy. In fact, most of the time I purchase mine at the dollar store, or upcycle something I have laying around the house.
We have this adorable Space Themed Pretend Play Printable that would pair perfectly with the galaxy chickpeas! Just print it out on card stock, cut out the pieces, and it is ready to go in your sensory bin!
Kitchen tools like spoons, measuring cups, and tongs make the perfect utensils for a sensory bin. Space themed stickers, different sized bouncy balls, pom poms, and astronaut figurines or small space themed toys would go great with this bin.
Two of the best things about sensory bins- they don’t have to be expensive, and they aren’t complicated to make!
How Do I Use A Sensory Bin?
Sensory bins are so simple to use! All you need to do is create the bin and leave the rest up to little imaginations!
If you are a parent, your child can play independently with a sensory bin at home just like they would a regular toy. What makes this extra special is that it is not a toy they will be done with in five minutes. The fun filler and space themed accessories will make for hours of open ended play!
If you are a teacher, you can use a sensory bin as a center in your classroom. Depending on the size of the bin you have, you could let 2-4 children play at a time. This not only helps children work on the social skills of sharing and taking turns, but also help language development as they talk and share creative ideas.
No matter how you decide to use this sensory bin in your home or classroom, it’s easy set up and the way it sparks creativity will be sure to make it a repeat activity!
Ways to Differentiate This Sensory Bin
This sensory bin is easily adaptable for learners of all levels!
- Mix this Solar System Matching game into the sensory bin to test an older child’s knowledge of planet order!
- Add in addition or subtraction flash cards and use the chickpeas as counters to help little learners.
- Print out or hand-write some space vocabulary words (sun, moon, stars, planet, rocket…) and have your child use the chickpeas to trace and write out the word.
Need More Space Themed Sensory Acitivites? Check Out Some Of Our Favorites:
- Space Themed Sensory Galaxy Slime
- Galaxy Themed Bouncy Ball Process Art
- Space Theme 2D Shapes Posters & I Spy Game
How Does Sensory Play Help My Child Learn?
Sensory play may look like all fun and games, but it is so much more! Sensory play helps build foundational skills that will be important for the rest of your child’s life. While your child is playing, they are strengthening fine motor skills, learning about cause and effect, and important brain development is taking place!
As your child is playing with this sensory bin they are almost guaranteed to start asking questions about outer space. What is a planet? Are there rocks in outer space? Can I go to outer space? You will be shocked at the incredible questions your child will think of! To help answer their questions check out this National Geographic for Kid’s Space Website.
More Ways to Explore Outer Space
- Space Theme Color Sorting and Matching
- Space Theme Preschool Counting Mats
- Space Theme Roll and Count Game
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked question about sensory bins:
How do I keep my child from putting sensory bin filler and tools in their mouth?
Make sure you give your child some ground rules when first introducing them to a sensory bin activity (one of those should be nothing goes near or in your mouth). For young children or any child that likes to put things in their mouth, you will want to start with large tools and accessories that are not choking hazards, and make sure they are always closely supervised when using a sensory bin.
What ages can I use sensory bins with?
Sensory bins are normally recommended for preschoolers and kindergartners, but if you have an older child that shows interest in sensory bin play, please let them go for it! Creativity has no age limit!
What other materials can I use for sensory bin filler?
If you do not have chickpeas on hand, then you can use rice, macaroni noodles, or any small dry pasta.
How do I store sensory bin filler like these chick peas?
These galaxy chickpeas are best stored in a plastic bag with a zip top, or a plastic container with a lid.
Thanks for checking out our sensory space bin!
Now that you have dyed your chickpeas and assembled your sensory bin, it is time for hours of space exploration! Be sure to check out all of our other awesome space activities or visit the book list above to keep the fun going!
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