Here's your chance to allow your toddlers to explore nature and learn and develop senses all at the same time. Plus, it is a stimulating activity that drags little eyes away from TV screens, always a bonus for me! Sensory play is something that usually tickles the curiosity of most toddlers, since there is always something new to discover, and it's a perfect way to assist children in learning by simply having fun!

Before I jump into what you need for the activity, here's a list of educational benefits that can be gained, simply but putting some bits of nature into a bin:

Sensory development
Fine motor skills development
Learn colors (orange, red, brown etc.)
Sorting skill development (sort leaves into piles of different colors or shapes)
Learn about seasons, specifically Autumn

How To Put Your Sensory Bin Together

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All you need to prepare this awesome toddler activity is an obliging season and the great outdoors! Go on a scavenger hunt and collect the following:

Leaves of different shades and colors
Acorns
Sticks

Fill a medium to large bin with your findings and let the toddlers go wild! Let them feel the leaves (show them how to scrunch dried leaves in their hands and listen to the rustling sounds they make), ask them to sort through the leaves to find the acorns, or get them to sort the leaves into different piles according to their colors. This activity offers endless excitement.

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Take advantage and use this activity to talk to your little ones about seasons and how they change. Ask them what type of weather they like and help stimulate and interest in how and why seasons change. You can even teach them a song all about Autumn:

Autumn winds begin to blow. (blow)

Colored leaves fall fast and slow. (fall motion with fingers)

Twirling, whirling, all around. (turn self around)

Till at last they touch the ground. (fall to the ground)

The song alone will be a hit with the little ones, my son loves it to bits, especially when we "fall" to the ground! This activity can be done at home with your own kiddies, or if you are an educator, you can do this as a play group activity. What is even greater about it, is that it can actually be adapted according to the season you are in, just grab season applicable items from your yard (or home/classroom).