Fun Gooey Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin for Kids
When I tell you my 3-year old is obsessed with dinosaurs, I mean he is OBSESSED with dinosaurs! My son knows the names of more dinosaurs than I know the names of presidents! Now, I’m not here to embarrass myself, but that just shows his level of dedication. What dinosaur loving kid wouldn’t love using the hands-on dinosaur activities?! He also loves sensory play and using his hands to try different textures. So… why not combine the two and make this chia seed dinosaur sensory bin!
The Dinosaur Sensory Play activity is a great way to get your little paleontologist engaged and bust the boredom blues! The squishy, squelchy, dinosaur goo is fun and easy to make. If your child has sensory issues with slimy consistencies, check out a milder texture with the Dinosaur Pasta Sensory Bin.
Recommended Grade Level:
Materials for the Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin for Kids
- 1⁄4 C Chia Seeds
- 1 1⁄2 C Water
- Medium bowl
- Green liquid food coloring
- Spoon
- 1⁄3 C Cornstarch
- Small/Medium sensory bin
- Plastic dinosaurs
- Scoops
- Tongs
- Tweezers
Gooey Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin
Most school-based curriculum doesn’t include a study on dinosaurs. But that doesn’t mean as a parent or educator that we can’t think outside the box of data and test scores. Dinosaurs, being extinct, are a topic of curiosity and amazement. I haven’t met a child yet who hasn’t been fascinated by the ‘terrible lizards’. There are so many unanswered questions and opportunities for children to use their imaginations. Dinosaurs can inspire exciting books, silly songs, colorful crafts, and even prehistoric math practice.
Besides the benefit of pretend play, sensory bins are so easy to set up. With a little bit of prep, you can give your students plenty of time to explore their senses (and maybe get some paperwork out of the way).
Materials You Will Need for the Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin:
- 1⁄4 C Chia Seeds
- 1 1⁄2 C Water
- Medium bowl
- Green liquid food coloring
- Spoon
- 1⁄3 C Cornstarch
- Small/Medium sensory bin
- Plastic dinosaurs
- Scoops
- Tongs
- Tweezers
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin:
Step One:
In a medium-sized bowl add the water and chia seeds, then stir. Add a few drops of food
coloring and stir to incorporate the food coloring. Add as much or as little food coloring as you like.
This is also a great opportunity to have your child help you measure and mix.
Step Two:
Place the chia seed mixture into the refrigerator for 24 hours. This helps the mixture get extra gooey!
Add cornstarch to the chia seed mixture. Stir with a spoon to mix the cornstarch in.
Step Three:
Add the chia seed goo to the sensory bin. Use whatever size container you feel comfortable with. Add plastic dinosaurs, tongs, scoops, tweezers, and hands!
Good news is the goo can be stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
Yippie for Chia Seed Goo! Now What?
Now that you and your kiddo have created the sensory bin, you have a few options.
- Independent play gives you a chance to catch up on that to-do list that just doesn’t stop ‘to-doing’. Believe me when I tell you, this will keep them engaged for a while.
- Play together with your child. They already love spending time with you, why not get messy with them. You can model language skills by describing the texture, smell, dinosaur attributes, and more. Ask questions. “Why do you think the dinosaurs would have liked a squishy swamp?” “How does this dinosaur like the same as this one?” “How do they look different?”
Ways to Differentiate Learning with the Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin:
- Try using different materials if your child is having sensory overload with the chia seed mixture. Sand, small pebbles, Play Dough, and even colored rice can be used to substitute the gooey mixture.
- Add in plastic or foam letters or numbers to practice identification.
- Incorporate dinosaur themed books that can grab your child’s attention. Here are a few I recommend:
- How to Catch a Dinosaur by Adam Wallace
- How do Dinosaurs Learn to Read by Jane Yolen & Mark Teague
- My Big Dinosaur Book by Roger Priddy
Tell Me More About the Benefits:
I could go on and on about the benefits of using the Gooey Chia Seed Dinosaur Sensory Bin, but I’ll leave you with some of my favorites.
Different Species (Science): This is a great opportunity to teach your students about the different animal groups: mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and fish. While most dinosaurs are extinct, there are some animals left that are cousins to the terrible lizards. Chickens, snakes, turtles, sharks and crustations are a few.
Language Development: Encourage children to describe what they are feeling when using the sensory bin. What other material does this feel like? Ask your child to describe how the dinosaurs look. Maybe they can make up a story about the dinosaurs in the gooey swamp.
Math Skills: Incorporate math by counting, sorting, and even making patterns with the dinosaurs. How many dinosaurs are carnivores? Sort the dinosaurs by the same colors. Let’s make a pattern of dinosaurs that walk vs. ones that fly or swim.
More Gooey Activities to Try!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few frequently asked questions about the dinosaur sensory bin:
How long can I keep my sensory bin before it goes bad?
Great question because nothing is worse than a stinky sensory bin! If you keep the bin covered in a refrigerator for storage, the mixture is good for about 5-7 days.
What’s an appropriate age to use the bin with?
I would stick with children ages 3-5. A child younger than 3 might put the mixture in their mouth (which wouldn’t be toxic, just gross). Older children may also find the bin soothing. It really is up to the child’s disposition.
What does sensory play do?
Sensory play is a great way to practice fine motor skills, engage or sooth a child, and encourage creativity. Sensory play can also build social skills with peers and help children practice sharing.
What are you waiting for?! Let’s get to it!
Let us know how the sensory bin turned out for you. We love hearing from you!
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