Wondering how to start introducing toddlers to sensory bins without a giant mess? This blog post walks you through the process for teaching children to use sensory bins without dumping, throwing, or eating the materials. From toddlers to tweens, sensory bins are magical for kids – and even more magical when they know how to keep it clean.

Teaching my kids to play with sensory bins saved me.
The first time I tried a sensory bin with my son was a disaster.
I dumped a giant bag of rice into a plastic container, placed it on the floor of my house, and gave my then 22 month old this “Well, play with it” kind of look.
It didn’t work. At all.
He played for about 3 minutes and dumped rice everywhere.
This was not the Pinterest-worthy, Mom of the Year toddler activity I was going for.
I wanted him to play nicely for minutes upon minutes. I wanted the mess to stay contained. I wanted to sit back, sip my coffee, and get a little break.
Picking rice out of my carpet was not what I had in mind.
I learned what I did wrong.
Sensory bins aren’t just for kids to learn – you have to learn, too.
Sensory bins can be the easiest, most engaging activity once your child knows how to interact with them (and, no offense, once you know how to manage them, too). But here’s the part no one talks about: sensory bins aren’t instinctual.
Kids aren’t born knowing how to use them.
Think of it like teaching a toddler to eat. At first, it’s a disaster: spaghetti on the ceiling, yogurt in their hair. But with boundaries, guidance, and practice, mealtime becomes a whole lot easier.
Sensory bins are the same way. Lay the groundwork now, and soon, you won’t need to pull out the vacuum to get up all the rice.
My oldest started with sensory bins at 22 months old and had them mastered by 24 months old. My daughter started her training at 16 months old and was a sensory bin pro at 20 months old. My youngest started before 12 months old and his first word was “Bin! Bin!” He was a pro by 15 months old.
Now, let’s be clear: my kids aren’t perfect. They’re busy, impulsive, loud, and 100% typical. But when it comes to sensory bins? They’re shockingly good at keeping the mess (relatively) under control.
That didn’t happen overnight. And it definitely wasn’t by accident.
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Why Bother with Sensory Bins?
Because they’re magic.
Sensory bins are one of the greatest “toys” for kids…there’s a reason you’ll find them in every daycare, preschool, and church basement. They captivate children like nothing else (well, maybe a cardboard box).
They hold attention longer than most toys. They bring kids together – your 5-year-old and your 15-month-old can actually play side by side with the same bin. That kind of shared play? It doesn’t happen often.
And for me? Sensory bins were a lifeline.
They gave me a chance to sit. To fold laundry. To cook dinner without a toddler climbing my leg. The early years of parenting would have looked so different without sensory bins.
I want you to find that lifeline, too.
RELATED: Wondering what a child is learning when they play with a sensory bin? Check out my article on why sensory play is important.
Step-by-step – How to introduce sensory bins without a massive mess
After years of teaching countless kids (not just my own) how to play with sensory bins, I’ve learned a thing or two. If you want to set your child up for success (and keep your floors from looking like a rice explosion), here’s what you need to know.
Remember: We don’t go from “Make a sensory bin” to “Walk away and fold laundry” on Day 1. That’s not how this works.
Rome wasn’t built in a day—and neither was sensory bin etiquette. But once it’s in place? What a masterpiece.
Start simple
Your first sensory bin should be simple. No need to go all out—trust me on this.
Start with rice. It’s dry, easy to vacuum, and technically edible (wink). Plus, if things go south, it’s a low-commitment mess.
Simple First Bin Setup:
- Pour 2–3 lbs of dry, uncooked rice into a 28-quart under-bed storage container (like this one). The extra space gives kids room to play, and the high sides help contain the fun.
- Add a few measuring cups and bowls. That’s it!
Keep it basic. The goal here is to introduce the concept of a sensory bin, not create a Pinterest masterpiece.
Put down a boundary
Kids need to see a visual boundary: put a big beach towel, flat sheet, or table cloth under the sensory bin.
The sensory bin is boundary number one. The blanket is your safety net.
Plus, this will make clean up much easier.
State the “rules”
Sensory bins have rules. And honestly? That’s one of my favorite things about them. They help kids learn to play within rules and live within boundaries—essential life skills, wrapped up in a fun activity.
Here are my non-negotiable sensory bin rules:
- No dumping
- No throwing
- No eating***
I say it.
We say it together.
They say it.
These are the hard-and-fast rules for my kids and any kids we play with. (What happens if they break the rules? Don’t worry – we’ll get to that soon.)
A Note for the Little Littles (a.k.a. the taste-testers)
See all those *** up there? That’s for the under-2 crowd – the ones who love a good sensory bin snack.
I still give these boundaries, but with a little flexibility.
It’s completely developmentally appropriate for babies and toddlers to explore with their mouths – it’s how they learn. But there’s a difference between a quick taste test and an all-you-can-eat sensory bin buffet.
A few tricks to minimize munching:
- The more they play with the same material, the less they taste it. “Oh yeah, I remember this… not delicious.”
- Try setting up a sensory bin after a meal—hungry kids are way more likely to turn it into snack time.
- If they start making it a buffet, I gently remove the bin. “We don’t eat the bin.” We try again later.
It’s a process, but they will get there.
Stay close
Do not set up a sensory bin, walk away, and expect everything to go smoothly. That’s a recipe for disaster (and a living room covered in rice).
The first few times? You’re doing this together.
- Right next to them.
- Side by side.
Check out this photo of my husband with our then-14-month-old. He’s parked next to the bin, fully in the action.
Why? Because this is how kids learn the rules.
When you’re close, you can step in before disaster strikes. If you see a little hand about to throw or dump, you can gently stop them before the entire bin ends up on the floor.
You won’t always need to do this. But in the beginning, you are the training wheels.
Accept that it may go south
Just go ahead and accept it now—there will be messes.
The first few times (especially when they’re little), things might get a little wild. And that’s okay. Think back to when you introduced food—spaghetti in their hair, yogurt everywhere. It was messy at first. Keyword: was.
Your job as the parent isn’t to eliminate the mess—it’s to teach them how to manage it.
A little spilled rice? No big deal.
Dumping the entire bin onto the carpet? Not happening.
I draw the line at intentional pouring (wink).
“I giveth, and I taketh away-eth.”
Don’t be afraid to take a sensory bin away. In fact, I encourage it. Setting boundaries is part of teaching kids how to play. Around here, Sensory Bin Time-Outs are a real thing.
Let’s go back to our rules:
No dumping. No throwing. No eating.
These aren’t suggestions – they’re non-negotiables.
I usually give one reminder. After that? The bin is gone. I stay calm, keep my voice confident, and say:
“The rule is no throwing. You threw the rice. We will try again later for greater success.”
Because I’m right there with them, I can make it happen quickly.
The bin goes to “time out” (usually in the laundry room) for a few minutes. Then, we try again. Sometimes five minutes later. Sometimes five hours. Sometimes five days.
But we always try again.
Try again later
This isn’t just about them (wink).
Yes, sensory bins are fantastic for kids. But let’s be honest—the real win? The break you get once they know how to play.
Sensory bins are a lifeline. When kids can play independently, you get time to breathe. Time to sip coffee while it’s actually hot. Time to fold laundry without someone climbing on you.
I want this for you.
But first, you have to put in a little time teaching them how to use a bin. Lay the foundation now, and soon, you’ll have kids who can settle into a sensory bin like pros.
Trust me: it’s so worth it.
Looking for some sensory bin suggestions to get started with?
Try one of these:
- Simple Rice Bin
- Water Pouring Station
- Scooping Station
- Rice Scoop and Transfer
- Rainbow Rice
- Oatmeal Sensory Bin
- Corn Meal Sensory Bin
Don’t let sensory bins scare you! A little teaching and the right supplies can make sensory bins your go-to toddler activity too.Will you try a sensory bin with your toddler?
Susie Allison, M. Ed
Owner, Creator
Susie Allison is the creator of Busy Toddler and has more than 2.3 million followers on Instagram. A former teacher and early childhood education advocate, Susie’s parenting book “Busy Toddler’s Guide to Actual Parenting” is available on Amazon.
Maryanne says
I have been following you on Instagram for a while now. When I was babysitting my granddaughter we had lots of fun with many of your activities. My daughter also follows you and loves your activities as well. Looking forward to more great ideas. Haven’t tried the sensory bins yet, but all your tips make so much sense.
Laurie breaux says
Yaya loves your ideas. Wish I had them when my kids were littles.
Marie says
Thank you for this! I’m a grandma trying to find fun things for my grandson to do. But I seem to have forgotten it takes a lot of patience!
Elyssa says
Do you have three sensory bins for each of your kids? Do they all play with different ones at different times. I have a 2.5 and a 1 year old and the thought of both of them in a rice bin is scary. Haha
busytoddler says
They all do the same bin together – or rather, I only put out one bin at a time.
Alice Braitman says
I’m so inspired by this post, thank you! About how much of each base are in those bags? 3 lbs?
busytoddler says
Hi Alice – I have about 2lbs about everything and it’s been a great amount. Let me know if you have any other questions! Yeah for sensory bins!
Nadine says
Great article!!! I tried a rice sensory bin with my 2 year old in a moment of desperation to get breakfast made with baby on my back! I snapped a few cute pics for my blog and then made breakfast. I turned my back for 2 mins. Max! But when I turned back he had poured a cup of water on the rice and was sitting in the mushy rice bin on top of the table. You have given me the courage to try again and the strategy to be successful!! Thanks 🙂
busytoddler says
Oh my goodness we have all been there! So glad you are willing to give it a go again – trust me, they do get the hang out it!
Ging says
Hi! I have two toddlers. A 3y/o and a 15month old. How do I let them play together and enforce the “no mess” rule without one kid throwing a fit (especially the eldest) when the other (the youngest) is the one doing the mess? I know I could take the erring kid away but its hard do also do that without the other throwing another fit at my being away (with the erring kid). Any other suggestions? Thanks!