Ladybug Sensory Bin

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This ladybug sensory bin is perfect for preschoolers! Pair it with your favorite ladybug book for a fun hands-on activity for spring.

Sensory play is fun for preschoolers. It allows them a chance to explore themes with touch, sound, and sight. This sensory bin is designed to pair with Ladybug by R. E. Robertson, but it will work nicely with any ladybug book on your shelf.

Preschoolers will love scooping and pouring the colored rice as they hunt for ladybugs and pompoms.

Ladybug Sensory Bin

Before setting up the sensory bin, you’ll need to color some rice red for your sensory bin filler. I’ve got instructions below.

Once that step is done, you’re all set to create this sensory experience for your little ones.

What You’ll Need for the Rice

• White rice
• Plastic bag with seal
• Red food coloring
• Rubbing alcohol
• Paper plate

What You’ll Need for the Bin

• Ladybug buttons or small toys
• Black buttons
• Red and black pom poms
• Red and black pipe cleaners (cut into smaller pieces)
• Red popsicle sticks
• Sensory bin
• Ladybug by R. E. Robertson

What You’ll Do

Add 2 cups of rice into the plastic bag.

Add 20 drops of red food coloring into the bag of rice.

Pour 1 tbsp. of rubbing alcohol into the bag.

Seal the bag.

With the bag sealed, use your hands to mix the rice, food coloring, and alcohol together until the rice is completely colored. (If you want a darker red color, add more drops. If the rice looks pink, it needs more food coloring.)

When the rice is fully colored, pour the rice onto the paper plate. Spread out evenly and allow the rice to dry.

Once dry, add the rice to the sensory bin. Spread out into an even layer. Place the buttons, popsicle sticks, pom poms, pipe cleaners, and ladybugs into the bin.

Have the child explore the contents of the sensory bin and observe the interactions! Count the ladybugs, too!

Books About Ladybugs

Below, I’ve featured just a handful of picture books that will help your preschoolers get excited about ladybugs.

You should be able to find them at your local library or bookstore. If you can’t find them locally, you can click each image cover to purchase them on Amazon.

 

The Grouchy Ladybug – As children follow the Grouchy Ladybug on her journey, they will learn the important concepts of time, size, and shape, as well as the benefits of friendship and good manners.

Are You a Ladybug? – The book follows a ladybug through its life cycle from an egg to getting its wings.

Counting with a Ladybug – Twelve bright pages feature an animal-packed number rhyme to read aloud. From one little ladybug to ten noisy ducklings, preschoolers will soon be counting the garden friends as they follow the tactile trails, feel the intriguing die-cut pictures, and embark on an animal adventure.

Enhance Your Activity Time

Keep the fun going when you add this adorable ladybug costume to your dress-up box.

Kids of all ages will love watching this ladybug wand blow on the wind.

These set of rainbow wooden ladybugs are the perfect toy to expand your child’s imagination. They are the perfect addition to any play setting.

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