Spring is in full swing with sunshine, blooming flowers, and lots of critters. As soon as all traces of winter are gone, my kids begin one of their favorite springtime activities, digging for worms. While the two boys were at school recently, I set up this worm sensory bin and gave my daughter tools to dig and find worms.
While she would rather be digging for real worms, she had a good time with this worm filled sensory bin. Added bonus is the workout she was giving her fine motor skills using the tweezers to grab the worms. She was also working on transferring skills, transferring the worms from the dirt to the bug keeper.
This sensory bin was super easy and inexpensive to set up. We used our under the bed storage container that we use for all our sensory bins and filled it with items bought from the Dollar Tree.
Worm Sensory Bin
Supplies:
- Brown crinkle paper shred (you could also shed paper snacks or read dirt)
- Plastic worms (here’s an option if you don’t have Dollar Tree nearby)
- Under bed storage container (or something similar to act as the base for your sensory bin)
- Tools for finding the worms (see options below)
- Bucket or bug keeper for the found worms
This worm sensory bin is really easy to set up. We dumped 4 bags of brown paper shred into a storage container (1-2 more bags would have been good for the size container we used). We then dumped the worms into the container and buried them under the dirt (brown paper shred). Next, we placed a bug container in the corner. Finally I gave her tools for digging and finding worms.
One of the tools she used as a rake, was a plastic pretend play potato masher. We pick this up at the Dollar Tree in a set of our pretend play utensils.
To grab the worms she used Easy Grab Tweezers. These Gator Grabber Tweezers are also a good option. I had these laying out as well, but she usually grabs the easy grab tweezers, because they are easier to use. Before we purchased these fine motor tools, we used inexpensive tongs from the Dollar Tree.
Extend the Activity:
- Count the worms in the sensory bin.
- Sort the worms by color.
- Read books about worms: Wiggling Worms at Work or Wonderful Worms.
Written by About a Mom contributor, Kim. Kim, the mama behind The Resourceful Mama, is a medical social worker turned stay at home mom to three. She enjoys sharing simple crafts and activities, parenting and homemaking tips, and a lot of holiday fun.
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Oh this is awesome. My daughter has SPD and I just know she would love this!
In concept gross as I hate worms, but a fun way to get back to nature and learn.
This is pretty fantastic! I know a lot of people who make these sensory bins and I’m sure this would be really fun and useful for them. must share!
Oh, now that is fun. I think this would be an awesome after school activity. I like the sorting and counting ideas!
My daughter would have a great time doing this. I may just do this with her. Thanks for the idea.
Having experienced seeing real worms in a third world country, I can’t imagine ever doing this. BUT, I can see how this activity would be good for kids for sensory stimulation and practice. 😉 Maybe switch the worms with something else for me? LOL
A worm sensory bin is a fantastic idea for my friends little girl. She is five and has Autism and enjoys these kind of activities.