Everything colored. That is the theme in our house right now. The brighter, the better. Tons of paintings, with the purplest trees you have ever seen. Loads of crafting, with the wildest markers available. Since it is still so drab outside, we are making it very spring-like inside (hence a Rainbow Sensory Bin in January).

While our first theme is color, our second theme is keeping busy. Mind you, today we had the most beautiful day outside. Sunshine, birds chirping, and puddles (puddles!!!!!!). But all in all, it is still cold, and we are still inside more than out, so we are keeping busy with lots of activities.

Lately, I have been taking Quiet Time to a new level. I posted a while ago about 54 Mess Free Quiet Time Boxes that we love. But recently, I have been making five different, engaging, and fun quiet bins for my littlest to enjoy throughout the week. These have been a savior for rest time, and that witching hour as I try to make dinner, too.

I have been switching the quiet bins up every week, but one quiet bin has remained a favorite for the past three weeks—this rainbow fine motor sensory bin.

But before I share all about it, I want to share this FREE Rainbox Puzzle Pack! It is filled with colorful activities and printables to brighten your day, and you can grab it for free right here:

And if you love it, as I am sure you will, I just know you will love my Playful Days Toddler Program. One beautiful craft or activity to enjoy every day with your toddler. Find out more right here: Playful Days

Finally, let’s get back to our fine motor building, and cheerfulness building toddler activity!

Okay, back to the rainbow sensory bin and how it came to be.

I saw a post from Ann of My Nearest and Dearest on open-ended play with buttons and plastic Easter eggs. It looked so lovely and inviting; I knew my little ones would love playing with it. I decided to add in some pipe cleaners and beads as well so they could practice some threading.

We were dangerously low on a few craft supply staples, so I braved our local Dollar Store. I have really been limiting my visits to the Dollar Store lately… I spend a ridiculous amount of money each and every time I visit. I think next time, I will have to leave my cards at home and only go with cash, as this trip for beads and pipe cleaners was certainly not $2.

Regardless, I did get the crafting necessities I needed—and oodles more that I didn’t know I needed. Right… that I did not need.

I chose the brightest colored buttons and beads that I could and matched them to the Easter Eggs. So I wound up with purple, blue, pink, green, and yellow Easter eggs, buttons, beads, and pipe cleaners. Just in case my little ones had the urge to do some patterning… Or sorting…

Or make a cute little egg-puppy.

This bin is wonderful for a variety of ages. Older children might like to make bracelets with different patterns, and younger children might just want to fill the Easter eggs with buttons! Either way, they are engaging in a lovely, independent activity and strengthening their little hands for future writing at the same time.

And it is oh so colorful.

I hope your little ones enjoy this colorful rainbow bin as much as mine did!

xo
Sarah

P.S. Don’t forget to download your FREE Rainbow Puzzle Pack!