Springtime Easter Sensory Bin

Spring is the perfect time to bring hands-on learning into play! This Easter-themed sensory bin engages children in counting, sorting, and fine motor skill development while keeping them entertained. With simple materials and easy setup, this activity is great for parents looking for a fun and educational way to celebrate the season.

Egg cartons cut to form small baskets and colorful candy eggs on green stained rice

Our kids always loved the hunt…for Easter Eggs! You can extend the playtime beyond Easter Sunday and add a hidden dose of learning at the same time!

Springtime Easter Sensory Bin: Egg Hunt and Counting Fun

egg carton sections, robins eggs candy package and rice stained green

What You’ll Need

White rice
Rubbing alcohol or white vinegar
Green food coloring
Candy eggs (Whopper eggs, jelly beans, or foil-wrapped chocolate eggs)
Egg carton
Pipe cleaners
Permanent marker
Large plastic bin, water table, or sensory table

How to Set Up the Sensory Bin

Dye the Rice

Place white rice into a large zip-top bag.
Add a small amount of rubbing alcohol (or white vinegar if you are concerned about using rubbing alcohol) and a few drops of green food coloring.
Seal the bag securely and shake until the color is evenly distributed.
Spread the rice onto a cookie sheet and allow it to dry completely overnight.

section of egg carton cut to form a small basket with a pipe cleaner handle and colorful candy eggs

Make the Mini Easter Baskets

Cut out individual sections of an egg carton to create small baskets.
Poke a hole on each side of each basket and thread a pipe cleaner through to form a handle.
Write numbers 1–5 on the front of each basket using a permanent marker.

Hiding candy eggs in a bed of green stained rice

Set Up the Egg Hunt

Fill the plastic bin with the dried green rice.
Bury 15 small candy eggs in the rice, hiding them for a fun sensory search.
Encourage children to dig through the rice, find the eggs, and place them in the baskets according to the number written on each.

Encourage Exploration and Play

Once the egg hunt and counting game are complete, let children continue to explore the bin. Adding small spring-themed toys like wind-up chicks or plastic bunny figurines can extend the fun and provide new ways to engage with the sensory materials.

This activity promotes counting, number recognition, and fine motor skills while offering a calming sensory experience. It’s a great way to celebrate spring and Easter while incorporating hands-on learning.

Looking for more sensory play ideas? Try adding different textures, colors, or themed objects to your bins to extend the fun!