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4th of July sensory bin

13 Comments Preschool, Kindergarten

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My kids love sensory bins and all kinds of sensory play experiences. So with the approach of the 4th of July holiday, I knew I wanted to create a 4th of July sensory bin for my kids to enjoy. Of course I wanted it to be patriotic. I also wanted it to be fairly simple to prepare. Ultimately I came up with a patriotic sensory bin that was a bit hit with my kids!

Note: For more 4th of July activities and printables, see my 4th of July activities page.

4th of July Sensory Bin made using red, white, and blue water beads. Wonderful and creative sensory play for this patriotic holiday! #4thOfJuly #IndependenceDay #sensoryplay #giftofcuriosity || Gift of Curiosity

I created a red, white, and blue bin using colored water beads. (I used clear beads for white, and made red and blue water beads by dying clear water beads using our liquid watercolors.)

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

The clear water beads are difficult to see because they take on the color of whatever is around them.

After helping me lay a large sheet on the floor (to help with clean up), the kids dove right in to the bin using the materials I set out for them. I explained that this was our 4th of July sensory bin, which is why the water beads were red, white clear, and blue. We also talked about how these were the same colors as the colors on the American flag.

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

Their favorite material was this three compartment plastic tray I recently added to our collection.

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

They cooperated so well to fill it with “food” for me to “eat.”

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

Once the tray was full, some beads began to spill on to the floor.

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

And then more spilled.

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

Before the water beads had spilled the kids had been using the scoops and spoons and such to pick them up, but once the beads were on the floor my kids began to use their hands to enjoy the wonderful sensory experience.

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

And then they went back to making more “food.”

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

I stepped out for a minute to take care of something, and when I came back, my son had put a lot of our sensory bin supplies in the bin, and he was busy using a pair of tongs to try to pick the water beads up.

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

Much to my surprise, he actually managed to snag a water bead in them!

4th of July sensory bin using water beads || Gift of Curiosity

And that is how we had fun with our 4th of July sensory bin.

If you decide to do some water bead sensory play, you might enjoy following it up with some water bead science. 🙂

More 4th of July resources

More 4th of July posts from Gift of Curiosity:

  • Books about the American flag
  • 4th of July Montessori activities
  • Fireworks in a jar
  • Sticky paper American flag craft
  • 4th of July Printables Pack
  • 4th of July do-a-dot printables
  • 4th of July Bingo
  • 4th of July Sudoku
  • American flag printables

For more 4th of July activities, see me 4th of July Activities page and my 4th of July Pinterest board.

Filed Under: 4th of July, Preschool, Kindergarten Tagged With: water beads

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Reader Interactions

13 Comments

  1. Tess

    June 26, 2013 at 11:40 am

    I think my preschool class would love this!

    Reply to this comment
  2. Capri + 3--Theresa

    June 27, 2013 at 2:49 pm

    That is a cute and festive sensory bin. Please stop by and link this to Artsy Play Wednesday (now live).

    Reply to this comment
  3. Nicole Copeland

    June 28, 2013 at 10:59 am

    I need to get some of these water beads My daughter would love them

    Reply to this comment
  4. Growing Up Madison

    June 29, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    I’ve actually never played with water beads but I’m assuming they’re safe for congestion because my 17 month old still puts EVERYTHING in her mouth. If they are then I’ll definitely invest in some of these for her. Thanks for sharing. You always have the greatest ideas for kids. 🙂

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie

      June 29, 2013 at 2:56 pm

      They aren’t toxic, but I would not recommend them for kids who still put things in their mouth. Best to wait a few more months until she’s ready to play with them safely. 🙂

      Reply to this comment
  5. Ashley

    June 30, 2013 at 6:18 am

    Mine love water beads! My little guy likes to throw them and watch them bounce! The colors in this bin are lovely; thanks for sharing at Mom’s Library!

    Reply to this comment
  6. jaime@FSPDT

    July 2, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    featured you this week on moms library!

    Reply to this comment
  7. Ashley

    July 3, 2013 at 5:20 am

    Featured you this week on Mom’s Library!!

    Reply to this comment
  8. Carrie

    July 3, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Looks like a lot of fun!! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!

    Reply to this comment
  9. Clare

    June 30, 2014 at 12:00 pm

    That looks like so much fun! Stupid question of the day though – where do you get water beads from?

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie SG

      June 30, 2014 at 12:12 pm

      Hi Clare, I buy my water beads on Amazon. Here is a link to the product I purchased.

      Reply to this comment
  10. Rebecca M

    November 1, 2016 at 6:12 pm

    A question about dying the water beads…I have water beads that are tiny and you add water so they expand. I’m not sure if there are other beads, perhaps. To dye the beads, are you dying them after they have expanded? Also, does any of the dye come off on your hands?
    I’d love to try this with my kids.

    Reply to this comment
    • Katie SG

      November 1, 2016 at 7:26 pm

      I add the dye to the water, so as the beads take in the liquid they are getting dyed at the same time.

      Reply to this comment

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