Winter Snowman Sensory Bin for Toddlers | Simple Montessori Play

A winter snowman sensory bin for toddlers that builds fine-motor skills and sparks joyful, calm play.

This calming winter snowman sensory bin activity brings calm to your winter days. Your child feels excited to scoop, pour, and build the sweetest snowman friends. You feel grateful for a simple setup that fills your home with quiet joy.

This snowman sensory bin uses white beans, cotton balls, scoops, jars, and simple snowman faces. The activity supports hand strength, coordination, and pretend play. Moms can set this up in minutes.

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Fill The Snowman Materials & Supplies:

Below is the list of materials and supplies you will need for the Fill the Snowman activity:

• dried white beans or cotton balls
• clear mason jars and/or recycled bottles
• googly eyes
• orange paper triangles
• wooden scoops and tongs
• tub or tray to contain it all
• Optional: Small accessories like a ribbon or fabric for a scarf, buttons for decoration, or construction paper for a hat

Watch The Video Tutorial Below:

How To Set Up Fill The Snowman Activity ~ Step-By-Step Instructions:

First, pour the beans into a shallow tray.

Then, place jars and bottles inside the tray.

Next, add some googly eyes and orange noses to create the snowmen.

After that, add in some scoops so your child can pour the beans.

Optional: add in some tongs so your child can lift the cotton balls.

Lastly, remember to keep the setup simple so your child can explore freely.

Developmental Benefits:

The Winter Snowman Sensory Bin activity offers many developmental benefits, including supporting hand strength, coordination, and pretend play.

Hand Strength:

This activity builds strong hand muscles because your child scoops and pours the beans. Your child uses a steady wrist and stronger fingers each time they transfer the beans from one container to another.

Hand-Eye Coordination:

This activity supports hand-eye coordination. Your child watches the beans fall into jars and bowls, so each movement becomes more controlled and confident.

Math Skills:

This activity builds early math skills. Your child explores full and empty, more and less, and one-to-one counting with cotton balls and beans.

Pretend Play:

This activity encourages pretend play. The snowman jars invite stories, voices, and imagination, so your child practices language in a natural way.

Sensory Input:

This activity brings calm sensory input. The soft cotton balls and gentle bean sounds help your child settle their body and focus on slow, peaceful play.

Extend The Learning:

Here are a few ways you can extend the learning.

• Try adding black beans for “buttons.”
• Add a small spoon for extra control work.
• Invite your child to count snowballs.
• Add simple number cards.
• Invite your child to match quantities to snowballs.

Tips For Success:

Stay nearby so your child feels supported. Sit nearby so your child feels supported. Model slow movements so your child mirrors your calm pace. Keep the tray on a washable mat so cleanup stays quick and easy. Store all the pieces in a basket or the tray so you can pull out this activity swiftly when needed. Rotate this tray with other winter sensory bins so your child stays engaged. Follow your child’s pace so the play feels natural and joyful.

Summary:

This winter snowman sensory bin gives your child a calm space to scoop, pour, and explore. Simple materials keep them focused while building hand strength, coordination, and early math skills. The jars turn into playful snowman friends, and the soft cotton balls create peaceful, soothing play. You’ll appreciate the quick setup and the joy it brings to winter days.

For More Sensory Fun …

Click here for details on how to make this Fishing Phonics.

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