Sand and Water Ocean Sensory Bin

This ocean sensory bin is such a fun way for kids to play and learn about the ocean this summer! My kids had a blast digging in the sand and playing in the water while learning about the ocean habitat.

This sand and water ocean sensory bin is a fun way for kids to play and learn about the ocean habitat this summer! It's the perfect activity to celebrate the release of Finding Dory!

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FindingDelicious #CollectiveBias

My kids love a good sensory bin. They are always a sure bet when I need a way to keep them happily occupied. Plus, they are just plain fun!

Water sensory bins usually go over amazingly well with my kids and they are perfect for a hot summer day. This time I added sand to the bin as well and it was pretty much the best sensory bin we have ever done! My kids LOVED it.

Beach sensory bin for toddlers and preschoolers.

Setting Up the Sand and Water Sensory Bin

Supplies Needed:

  • Under bed storage bin
  • Ocean animal toys
  • Decorative shells (I like to get mine at the dollar store)
  • Play sand
  • Water
  • Blue food coloring (optional)

Set Up:

  1. Pour sand on one side of the bin.
  2. Place a bunch of shells at the edge of the sand to act as a barrier between the sand and water.
  3. Slowing pour water in the other side of the bin. It will need to be fairly shallow to keep the water from totally going over into the sand. You can add a few drops of blue food coloring to the water and stir it in with a whisk, if you would like.
  4. Add the ocean animals to the water in the bin.

Sand and Water Ocean Sensory Bin Play

I showed my kids the bin and they were ecstatic! They got right to work playing, splashing and building with the sand. It was like our own mini beach day.

Sand and water ocean sensory play for kids. A fun way to learn about ocean animals and the ocean habitat this summer.
Ocean play activity that kids love!

As they were playing, we talked about ocean animals and the ocean habitat. We talked about why they are able to live in the ocean and why other animals cannot.

They had so much fun playing in the bin and didn’t want to stop.

Ocean or beach sensory play activity for preschoolers. A fun way to learn about the ocean and ocean animals.

Little did they know, I had a fun surprise waiting for them inside. In fact, the ocean sensory bin was part of my plan to celebrate the release of Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory!

The kids are so excited to see the movie, so I knew they would be thrilled with everything I had planned. Seriously, not a day goes by without one of them mentioning the movie.

Soup and Crackers in store

©Disney/Pixar

While shopping in Target, I was able to pick up Campbell’s Soup featuring Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory and Goldfish® Special Edition! Cheddar Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory Crackers. I knew they would be a hit and make for a very special lunch.

Finding Dory Campbell's soup and Goldfish crackers for a fun lunch idea!

©Disney/Pixar

Finding Dory lunch for kids

©Disney/Pixar

I was so right! They were ecstatic about the lunch I planned. The soup features fun, new pasta shapes of the kids’ favorite characters from the movie. The Goldfish crackers even come in special edition colors.

This sand and water ocean sensory bin is a fun way for kids to play and learn about the ocean habitat this summer! It's the perfect activity to celebrate the release of Finding Dory!