I love using sensory boxes for autism in my programs. This Shape Sensory Bin is the perfect activity to teach shapes while engaging your child or students in a fun and educational sensory activity. Try this adorable and fun unicorn sensory bin next!
Shape Sensory Bin Materials
(We have included affiliate links for your convenience. You can read our disclosures here.)
- A plastic box (or a shoe box or other box you already have could work well too)
- Dried pasta
- Wooden shape sorter (mine are made of wood and part of a shape sorter activity)
How to set up the shape sensory bin
Set up for this shape sensory bin activity couldn’t be any simpler! Set it up in just 4 easy steps in your Progress Nook.
- Step 1 – Choose your box.
- Step 2 – Pour in dried pasta.
- Step 3 – Add plastic shapes.
- Step 4 – If using a shape sorter, have the shape sorter support to the side of the sensory bin as well.
How to use this sensory bin to build new skills
Create Sensory Breaks
Just prompt your little learner to put his or her hands into the box and touch the different items for a simple sensory experience that would make a perfect sensory break idea.
Use it with these printable sensory break cards for best results.
- Work on naming colors by having your child or students name the color of each shape.
- Work on the receptive understanding of each color by having your child or students find each color following a prompt, such as “find the blue shape!”.
Teach the shapes
Hold up each shape and ask your little learner to name each shape.
Build receptive language skills
Ask your child to find one item at a time, for example, say “find the square!” to work on the receptive comprehension of the word “square”.
Get more of my autism teaching strategies here.
This activity is a great way to teach taking turns. Find one item and then have your little one find another item and keep taking turns until you have taken all the different items out of the sensory box).
Complete the shape sorter
Have your little learner find each shape in the box and then put it in the correct spot on the shape sorter.
More Sensory Activities You Will Love
- Spring Sensory Bin
- Fall Sensory Bin
- Ocean Sensory Bin
- Dinosaur Play Dough Mats
- Winter Play Dough Mats
- Sensory Swing (how to choose a sensory swing)
- Sensory Toys for Autistic Children
- Light Table Activities
- Spring Sensory Box
- Valentine’s Day Sensory Bin
- Garden Sensory Bin
- Easter Sensory Bin
More Autism Learning Resources
- The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
- Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
- Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
- How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
- Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!
Shape Sensory Bin
This shape sensory bin is so much fun! Use it to create sensory breaks, teach shapes, teach colors, build receptive language skills and take turns.
Learn to create a Progress Nook for your child at home in 7 days
Receive 7 emails - 1 email each day - for FREE that will teach you exactly what to do, then receive emails once per week with fun learning activities for your child