Happy summer! I have 2 little kids at home, and we’ve been spending a lot of time outside (when it’s not so hot). We’ve been visiting playgrounds, splash pads, and I’ve even created an outdoor sensory bin that keeps them fairly busy, at least for me to drink my coffee! This outdoor sensory bin gave me an idea, I should create a musical sensory bin. 

Sensory bins are great for kiddos because it allows them to learn through hands-on experience which involves multiple senses. Sensory bins also promote fine motor skills, cognitive development, and can also promote relaxation. I thought it would be even better to incorporate sound and musical instruments to this. KidLinks has a wonderful song called, “Garden Song” which talks about what it takes to make a garden grow. This is a great song to sing or play while the kids participate in the sensory bin experience. 

To get this set up, you will need a medium sized plastic container with an open top so that the kids can easily touch and play with what they see. Think of it like a musical garden. At the bottom, you can put colored or regular rice as the soil. Inside the rice/soil you can put in different musical instruments such as, but not limited to; shakers, rhythm sticks, bells, various colored ribbons, kazoos, or even small tambourines. Feel free to decorate it like a garden as well with things like a small pinwheel or fake flowers. Once “Garden Song” starts, allow the kid/s to feel their way through the rice allowing their ears to guide them. If you have a group of kids, each child can take a turn and play along to the song with you. As that child keeps playing the next child can take his/her turn and begin playing along as well. Keep going to allow your musical garden to grow with as many instruments as they can find. I hope you’re able to give this a try! Below is the link to listen to “Garden Song” and be sure to check out all the other wonderful KidLinks music while you’re there!

https://www.kidlinks.org/songs/garden-song 

Sara Chigani, MA, MT-BC, FAMI