5 Easy Halloween Sensory Bin Ideas for Spooky Fun!
5 Easy Halloween Sensory Bin Ideas for Spooky Fun!
Sensory bins are an amazing way to engage kids in hands-on exploration while building motor skills, sensory tolerance, and even a bit of creativity. With Halloween right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to whip up some spooky sensory bins that are fun, festive, and easy to put together. Here are five Halloween-themed sensory bin ideas to add a bit of magic and mystery to your playtime.

1. Spider Web Bin with Cotton and Creepy Crawlies πΈοΈ
This sensory bin brings Halloween to life with creepy spiders and fluffy “webs” for a spooky exploration.
Materials Needed:
- Cotton balls or polyester stuffing (used as “spider webs”)
- Small plastic spiders or other creepy-crawlies
- Optional: Small tongs or tweezers (for extra fine motor practice)
Set-Up Instructions:
- Spread a generous layer of cotton balls or polyester stuffing across the bottom of a sensory bin to mimic the look of spider webs.
- Scatter plastic spiders and small Halloween-themed items (like bats, skulls, or tiny pumpkins) throughout the “webs.”
- Place tongs or tweezers nearby to encourage kids to practice grasping and removing the spiders.
Benefits and Variations:
- Fine Motor Skills: Using tongs or fingers to pick out spiders helps develop precision and hand strength.
- Sensory Exploration: The soft, fluffy texture of the cotton offers tactile feedback, and you can add extra sensory interest by misting the “webs” with lavender spray or another Halloween scent.
- Variations: For younger children, use larger, friendly-looking spiders and colorful objects to create a less spooky feel.

2. Pumpkin Patch Orange Rice with Jack-O-Lantern Cups π
This bin combines the Halloween icon of pumpkins with the vibrant color of orange rice, making a sensory-rich experience that’s both spooky and satisfying.
Materials Needed:
- Orange-dyed rice (easily dyed with food coloring)
- Small plastic containers with Jack-o’-lantern faces drawn on them (use permanent markers to make different faces)
- Mini scoops, spoons, or measuring cups
Set-Up Instructions:
- Prepare the orange rice by mixing rice with a few drops of food coloring in a plastic bag, shaking it until the rice is evenly colored, then allowing it to dry.
- Fill the sensory bin with the orange rice and place the Jack-o’-lantern containers within the rice.
- Add small scoops or spoons for the kids to scoop rice into the containers, filling their “pumpkins” with “seeds” (rice).
Benefits and Variations:
- Fine Motor Practice: Scooping and pouring the rice encourages hand-eye coordination and pouring skills.
- Creativity: Kids can create stories about the Jack-o’-lanterns as they play, adding to the imaginative aspect.
- Variation: For added texture, mix in pumpkin seeds or black beans as “pumpkin seeds,” or add small plastic or foam pumpkins.

3. Bubbling Witches’ Potion with Green Water π§ͺ
This witches' brew sensory bin is bubbling over with Halloween fun, giving kids a magical potion to create, mix, and explore.
Materials Needed:
- Large bin filled with water, dyed green with food coloring
- Plastic eyeballs, plastic bones, small Halloween toys, or plastic spiders
- Baking soda and vinegar (optional, for a bubbly effect)
- Small ladles or cups for scooping
Set-Up Instructions:
- Fill the bin with water and add a few drops of green food coloring until you reach a potion-like shade.
- Drop in spooky items, like plastic bones and eyeballs, to give it that witch’s brew look.
- If you’d like to add a bubbling effect, mix baking soda with the water and provide kids with a small container of vinegar to pour into the potion, creating bubbling magic!
Benefits and Variations:
- Cause and Effect: Adding vinegar to the baking soda water is a great way to teach children about chemical reactions.
- Sensory and Tactile Feedback: The coolness of the water and the fizzing sensation create multi-sensory experiences.
- Variation: For a “dry” version of the potion, use green-dyed sand or shredded paper with similar Halloween-themed items hidden within.

4. Ghostly Goo with Jello π»
Ghostly goo brings the slimy fun of sensory play into Halloween with Jello, which is as fun to squish as it is to see!
Materials Needed:
- White Jello (or clear Jello with a few drops of white food coloring)
- Ghost-shaped objects or Halloween-themed toys
- Small scoops or spoons
Set-Up Instructions:
- Prepare the Jello as directed on the package and allow it to set overnight. Once it’s firm, break it up with a spoon or fork to create a wobbly, gooey texture.
- Hide small, ghostly objects within the Jello, encouraging kids to dig in and discover.
- Allow children to use scoops, spoons, or their hands to explore and squish the Jello.
Benefits and Variations:
- Tactile Sensory Play: The cold, squishy texture of Jello offers unique tactile input.
- Fine Motor Skills: Scooping and squishing work on hand strength and control.
- Variation: Try other Halloween colors, like orange or green, or layer different Jello colors for a spooky effect.

5. Slippery Ghosts and Slime with Tapioca Pearls π»
This bin adds a slimy, squishy experience with tapioca pearls that are perfect for sensory-seeking kids who love slimy textures.
Materials Needed:
- Tapioca pearls, cooked and cooled
- Water, dyed blue or purple
- Plastic ghosts, spiders, or Halloween toys
- Optional: Lavender or peppermint essential oil for scent
Set-Up Instructions:
- Prepare the tapioca pearls according to package instructions, then cool them and add to the sensory bin.
- Fill the bin with water and add food coloring to create a hauntingly dark color.
- Drop in plastic ghosts, spiders, and other spooky items for kids to find.
Benefits and Variations:
- Unique Sensory Experience: The smooth, slippery texture of tapioca pearls is soothing and novel.
- Gross Motor Skills: Digging through the bin helps develop sensory integration as kids engage with the slimy texture.
- Variation: For a textured version, mix tapioca pearls with “ghostly goo” Jello to create a multi-textured experience.

Tips for Creating Sensory Bins
- Use a Large Container: A plastic storage bin works well for most of these sensory bin ideas, containing the mess while giving kids room to explore.
- Supervise Younger Kids: Some sensory bin fillers, like small toys or tapioca pearls, may be a choking hazard for very young children, so it’s important to supervise play.
- Set Up in a Mess-Friendly Area: These sensory bins can get a bit messy, so set them up on a plastic tablecloth or in an area that’s easy to clean.
- Add Scents: Adding scents with essential oils (like peppermint for ghosts or cinnamon for pumpkin) is an easy way to add another sensory layer and is perfect for holiday-themed play.
Why Sensory Bins Are Beneficial
Sensory bins offer multiple benefits for children, including:
- Fine Motor Development: Scooping, pouring, and grabbing items in the bins help develop fine motor skills.
- Language Skills: Themed sensory bins prompt storytelling, vocabulary development, and imaginative play.
- Sensory Integration: Exploring various textures, smells, and sights helps children process sensory input and build sensory tolerance.
- Social Skills: Playing with others around a sensory bin promotes sharing, turn-taking, and cooperative play.
These Halloween sensory bins are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for any spooky celebration. As children explore textures, smells, and colors, they’re not only having fun but also building sensory and motor skills that support their development. Whether it’s the squish of Jello, the cool slime of tapioca pearls, or the fluffy spider webs made of cotton, these sensory bins are sure to bring Halloween spirit and a dose of sensory-rich fun to any setting. Happy Halloween, and happy exploring! π
Want to explore sensory bins without all the work or the mess? If you're local to San Diego, join Eat. Play. Love. Occupational Therapy Inc. and True Colors Speech Therapy for a Halloween speech and sensory play date on Halloween at Poinsettia Park in Carlsbad, CA at 11 am! We'll bring the sensory and language fun, while you sit back and enjoy!





