Toddler Autumn Sensory Play
Little Bee and I had fun with this beautiful Autumn sensory bowl full of corn kernels, acorns, and small pumpkins. As soon as Little Bee spotted this bowl full of exploration opportunities, he sat right down and made himself at home. I love that when I create something special for Little Bee to explore that he knows he is in for a treat. He literally begged for this bowl to be placed within his reach and this activity kept him busy for over an hour.
I loved it when I noticed that Little Bee was carefully filling up each tiny acorn cap with corn kernels! Isn't this adorable? I didn't show him how to do this, it was something that Little Bee discovered all on his own.
I set up a transfer station for him with extra bowls, a scoop, and the freedom to explore. I adore the picture of Little Bee below with is mouth open in concentration as he transfers a scoopful of corn kernels to a new bowl. Little Bee is also learning how to pour from one bowl to the next, by turning the bowl upside down and scrapping the contents out with his scoop. This was another activity that Little Bee discovered how to do all on his own.
Little Bee also used metal tongs to transfer acorns from one bowl to the next.
*Please note that acorns are a choking hazard and your toddler should never be left alone while using materials that pose a choking risk. Please use these materials with caution in mind and a watchful eye. Thank you.
Then I added water to the sensory bowl and Little Bee added everything else. It was fun to see that the corn kernels sunk to the bottom while the acorns and pumpkins floated. This is a wonderful "float" and "sink" activity. 
And at the very end, after all the fun and messy play...
Little Bee helped Mama with cleaning up.
Thank you for your visit! If you loved our Autumn Sensory Play, please share our story and Pin It! 🙂
Jae says
October 13, 2014 at 7:34 pmI love this! I’ve always wanted to try sensory bins but they are so intimidating! So maybe just a small bucket or bowl would do and work. Now I’m dying to ask this questions to Moms who’s doing this.. what you do with the contents after using it? Do you reuse it?
Mama's Happy Hive says
October 13, 2014 at 8:19 pmThe acorns and pumpkins I am saving for future work with Little Bee. The corn kernels were donated to the squirrels! 🙂
Laura says
October 13, 2014 at 8:35 pmLittle Bee is so cute and busy <3 I love these sensory activities- thanks for the great inspiration! Pinning.
Mama's Happy Hive says
October 13, 2014 at 8:42 pmThanks for the sharing love, Laura! 🙂
Michelle S. says
October 13, 2014 at 8:45 pmLittle Bee is a heartbreaker! What a little cutie pie! I love the idea of stimulating all of the senses, including the sense of touch. Out of curiosity, how did you handle the temptation to explore these autumn sensory items via mouth? My toddler tends to put everything in her mouth and I have to watch her closely.
Mama's Happy Hive says
October 14, 2014 at 3:42 amGood question, Michelle. Thankfully, Little Bee is past the stage of putting everything in his mouth. He rarely puts objects (besides known food) into his mouth, and when he is using materials that could be a choking hazard, I keep an eagle eye on him.
Katie @ Cup of Tea says
October 14, 2014 at 7:07 pmI love all those concentration faces. Plus he clearly looks very pleased with himself!! What a great collection of activities, including clean up 🙂
alicia says
October 17, 2014 at 3:20 pmIt’s so rewarding to see what our kiddos discover on their own! I love the idea of the sink and float play.
Mama's Happy Hive says
October 17, 2014 at 8:40 pmYes! The sink and float play is a Montessori inspired idea. 🙂
The Natural Homeschool says
October 22, 2014 at 10:43 pmThank you for sharing your post last week on our linky party! You got featured this week! 🙂
http://www.thenaturalhomeschool.com/2014/10/a-little-bird-told-me-every-wednesday_22.html
Mama's Happy Hive says
October 22, 2014 at 11:18 pmAwesome! Thank you 🙂