'Planting a Rainbow' Sensory Bin

"Planting a Rainbow" by Lois Ehlert is one of my all time favourite books; ever since I was a kid! Not only because I'm a lover of all things plants, but because the illustrations are simply striking and the story is wonderful. This colourful activity has quickly become one of my all time favourites, just like the book it is paired with.

I raided my collection of supplies and to find found some rainbow coloured items and, to make the colourful items in the bin just as striking as in the book, I used black beans as my filler or "soil" — this really made the colours POP!

Next, I added some natural elements (but of course!) like terracotta, wood, & rattan, to bring in an earthy feel for "planting a rainbow".

Faux flower sprigs add more colour & are perfect for the mini terracotta pots. The rattan flat baskets came in handy for the littles to use for different things.

While flipping through & referring to the book, we spoke of how plants grow and different plant & flower types.

I then left them to play freely. It was adorable to see the flower arrangements they came up with!

Materials:

• book — Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert

• clear Rubbermaid bin

• black beans

• coloured popsicle sticks & mini wood blocks

• faux flowers

• mini terracotta pots

• mini wood scoops & rattan flat baskets

In This Activity

• Spark Conversation — chat about flowers & plants, and how they grow.

• Fine Motor Work & Concentration — manipulating these small pieces are great for those little hands & muscles; scooping, pouring, sorting, etc.

• Lots of counting and colour recognition & matching!

Happy planting!