Get your little ones into the Christmas spirit with this magical Feed the Reindeer Sensory Bin! It’s a simple, sparkly, and engaging activity that encourages imaginative play while developing fine motor skills. Find more Christmas activities for kids here.
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Why we love this reindeer sensory bin
This sensory bin is the perfect Christmas sensory activity for young kids. It includes lots of sensory elements and is perfect for imaginative play. What child wouldn’t like to feed Santa’s reindeers to get them ready to fly Santa’s sleigh around the world?
Looking for a craft rather than a sensory activity? Try this Reindeer Paper Bag Craft.
Supplies you need for this feed the Reindeer sensory bin
You don’t need a lot of supplies to make this Christmas sensory bin. You will need a sensory bin of some sort to use. We love these * sensory bins with lids.
- Oats (as your base filler), this looks like reindeer food
- Sanding sugar or sprinkles (uk), this adds a bit of sparkle
- * Pom poms (in red, white and green seasonal colors)
- * Jingle bells (to add a bit of festive sound)
- * Small toy reindeer
- Scoop or spoon (perfect for scooping, pouring and feeding)
- pinecones, these look like trees
How to set up your Christmas sensory bin
Start by getting out your sensory bin or tray. Fill the base of your bin with oats to create the base which is also the reindeer food.
Add some Christmas sprinkles or sanding sugar on top of the oats to add a bit of colour and sparkle.
Next scatter your pom poms around the base.
Place your toy reindeers in the tray red to be fed.
Finally add your scoops or spoons.
How children can play with this festive sensory bin
We love this Christmas sensory bin and I hope your kids do too. Some children will need no support or encouragement to start playing with this tray. Others may need some ideas to get them started.
For example, kids can scoop oats, pom poms, and bells to “feed” them to the reindeer. They may like to pretend that the pom poms are magical treats the reindeer need for their big flight on Christmas Eve.
You could hide the jingle bells in the oats and let kids go on a treasure hunt to find them. Can they count them as they collect them?
You could create little stories as kids care for and “prepare” the reindeer for Christmas night.
This would make a great Christmas Eve activity for kids.
Why set up this Reindeer Sensory bin?
Reindeers are such big part of Christmas so they’re great to include in your Christmas play and crafts. We love this clay pot reindeer craft too.
There are loads of benefits to sensory play like this feed the reindeer sensory bin. Here are some of them.
Fine motor skill development – Young children will build their fine motor skills through scooping, pouring and picking up the small bells and pom poms.
Imaginative play – There are so many opportunities for young children to use their imaginations. Hopefully they will create their own stories as they pretend to feed the reindeer.
Sensory benefits – This tray engages the senses with all the different colours, textures and even sound from the bells.
Supports language development – Perhaps you could encourage them to describe what they are doing or the textures they can feel. Can they name the colors they can see.
Supervision reminder
Always supervise young children during sensory play and ensure small objects (like the bells and pom poms) do not go in the mouth!
More Christmas activities for kids
Find lots of gingerbread crafts for kids here.
Find loads more reindeer crafts and activities for kids
Find more Christmas themed sensory bins here.
How about creating a special Christmas decoration with this Snowman handprint ornament