It’s all about alphabet activities for our Playful Preschool Series this week on Growing Book by Book. We’ve done a few activities this month to work on alphabet recognition and this week we have an alphabet sensory bin activity to support our theme- nuts and seeds.
Learning the alphabet takes lots of repetition. This activity provides an opportunity to practice naming letters with a fun sensory experience.
ABC Activities: Alphabet Sensory Bin
Why We Chose This Activity
The weather is cold and I needed a fresh activity to engage the kids. I looked around the house, grabbed some items on hand and, voila, the alphabet sensory bin was created!
I love that it was super easy to put together, educational and lots of fun for the kids. Bonus points because the seeds can be given to the birds when you are done!
Preparing the Seed Sensory Bin
Materials needed: large plastic container, bird seed, magnetic letters, 7 cardboard tubes, a marker, spoons or scoops (optional)
1. Fill the container with bird seed.
2. On each cardboard tube write a letter that your child needs to practice. Place the tubes in the bin. These will be he birdhouses.
3. Scatter the magnetic letters in the bin. You could also do cut-outs of letters. Little birds, with the letters written on them, would be cute.
4. If you are using spoons or scoops, place those in the bin too.
Playing with the Bin
Introduce the bin to your child. Let them explore on their own or you can give them this creative prompt.
The letter birds are hungry and need their bird feeders filled. Fill each letter bird house and then fly the matching letter bird to the house to eat!
If your child knows their letters, you could work on letter sounds instead.
For more alphabet activities, check out our ABCs & 123s book.
Keep reading. Visit the links below for more great seed and nut activities from the Playful Preschool team.
Nuts to You!: Squirrel Feeder by Mom Inspired Life
Nuts and Seeds Theme: Listening Games with Sensory Sound Shakers for #PlayfulPreschool by The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Turkey Patterns with Pistashio Shells by Still Playing School
Exploring Chia Seeds by Powerful Mothering
Heather says
How amazing! I almost bought Bird Seed yes at walmart too! I will go back. You have the best ideas. Thanks for writing this blog. What abouT Math bins. I am homeschooling four children and I appreciate the ideas.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thank you!
Maribel says
This ABc seed sensory Bin is such a great idea. I’m a prek teacher(17+ Yrs)and i’m always looking for new ideas for themes i always teach. This is a fun, imaginatve and a smart way to PRACTICE letter recognition. My kids will live feeding the birdS. I will do this activitiy in my saNd Table Using difFerent seeds. Thanks for a cute new simple idea.
Samantha @ Stir the Wonder says
Sometimes simple is best! Great bin! Thanks for linking up at the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! We hope you stop by again next week!
The Preschool Toolbox says
No fuss set-up is a HUGE plus during busy holiday times! Great seeds activity for reinforcing letter recognition!
Cassie @ 3Dinosaurs.com says
I love this activity! So much fun!
Emma says
Love the title of this post – AB”Seed”! lol!
Nicolette Roux says
quick and easy! just the way i like it!
Lisa Nelson says
I love this. Thanks so much for sharing on the #homeschoollinkup! I’m pinning. I would love love love to do this with my youngest. I think he would love it. Thanks for the great idea!
Natasha says
This looks like so much fun!
Mary Catherine says
SO MUCH to love about this activity! I can’t wait to try out it with my preschoolers. 🙂
Susen @ Dabbling Momma says
fun idea for a sensory bin. Pinned!
Danielle says
LOVE this! Now I have another use for our magnetic letters. 🙂
Jodie Rodriguez says
Danielle we use our magnetic letters so much!
Jennifer Altman says
Love it! Thanks for linking up to WW!!
Theresa (Capri + 3) says
That looks like a lot of fun. I love that children can make pretend bird houses and then give the seeds to the real birds when they are finished.
Jodie Rodriguez says
Thanks, I love it too. It’s like two lessons in one!
Devany says
Looks like fun!
Kim says
What a fun idea! I love that it is so easy to put together!