Top 5 Sensory Play Products - Teaching with Faith

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Sensory play is one of my favorite activities for toddlers, and over the years, I’ve discovered a handful of sensory play products that I reach for again and again. Whether it’s water, rice, or kinetic sand, there are so many fun and engaging options out there!

Want to see more about my favorite sensory bins, check out this article.

Graphic with a peach and white background that says “Top 5 Sensory Bins for Preschoolers” in bold, playful lettering.

If you’re just getting started or looking to refresh your setup, I want to share the tried-and-true sensory items that work in just about any bin. These are my top 5 must-have products for simple, successful sensory play.

1. Storex Letter Size Storage Bins

Toddler sitting on carpet scooping orange-dyed pasta from a yellow sensory bin into a purple cup using a spoon. Measuring scoops are also in the bin, showcasing toddler-friendly sensory bin products for hands-on play and fine motor skill development.

Every great sensory play setup starts with a good bin—and these Storex Letter Size Storage Bins are hands down my favorite. They come with or without lids (I usually go without), but if you like to prep bins ahead of time or need to store materials, the lids are super handy.

I love these bins so much, I actually bought 15 of them for our homeschool co-op so I could teach a full sensory class! They’re sturdy, the perfect size for little hands, and easy to clean (I literally throw them in the dishwasher). I’ve even lent them to other teachers because they work for every kind of sensory filler—from water to rice to cloud dough.

2. Floral Gems

We use floral gems for just about everything in our house—and I mean everything! At this point, they’ve made their way into nearly every room. My kids use them all the time even in free play!

Preschool child wearing glasses and a red shirt scooping pink rice from a Valentine-themed sensory bin using a red silicone baking cup. The bin contains dyed rice, artificial flower petals, heart-shaped containers, and clear gems—showcasing creative, hands-on sensory bin products for themed sensory play.

They’re incredibly versatile:

As learning counters during math time
As game pieces for DIY board games
As shiny, tactile sensory toys that are perfect for scooping, pouring, or sorting

We usually stick with the plain, blue and clear ones for everyday sensory bins, but I’ve also picked up themed colors (like hearts and lips for Valentine’s Day or shells for ocean bins) to match our themes. They add just the right amount of sparkle and texture to any setup!

3. Kinetic Sand

This one is always a fan favorite—kinetic sand is hands-down one of the most engaging fillers we use in our sensory bins. It’s soft, moldable, and seriously addicting to play with. My kids love building mini sandcastles, shaping animals or letters, and just running their fingers through it for calming sensory input.

What I love most is how versatile it is. Whether we’re creating a themed bin or just free-playing, kinetic sand always holds their attention. I’ve bought both colored and plain sand over the years, depending on the theme (and the price tag!). Either way, it’s a win.

4. Scoops and Other Tools

One of my favorite parts of sensory play is watching how creatively kids use tools. I love giving my kids a handful of simple sensory tools and just letting them explore—and they always come up with the most imaginative ways to use them!

Our go-to tools are these scoops and tweezers from Mudder. They’re the perfect size for little hands and add just the right amount of fine motor practice to any bin. My co-op kids were also excited when I brought these out!

Alphabet-themed sensory bin setup featuring a green tray filled with dry lentils, tweezers, scoops, small cups, and laminated alphabet cards. A box labeled "Alphabet Sensory Bins" and a laminated letter A activity sheet are displayed nearby, highlighting engaging sensory bin products used for early literacy learning and fine motor development.

Alongside those, we always toss in a mix of regular kitchen tools—think measuring cups, measuring spoons, and even our everyday spoons (yep, most of ours live in the sensory bin now!).

I usually start with one or two tools in the bin, but it never fails—they dig out every last one to use in their own way. It’s the best kind of creative chaos.

5. Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Vacuum

I know what you’re thinking… a vacuum? But hear me out—this is hands down my favorite product in my sensory play products because if clean-up isn’t quick and easy, I’m just not doing it!

Handheld vacuum cleaning up spilled pink dyed rice from a hardwood floor after sensory play. The image highlights practical cleanup tools used alongside sensory bin products to make sensory play manageable and stress-free.

Sensory play is amazing, but the mess? Not so much. This little handheld vacuum has been a total game-changer. It picks everything up—rice, kinetic sand, and other fillers—without pushing it around or scattering it more. It’s powerful, lightweight, and simple enough that even my older kids can help with clean-up.

I love it so much I even take it with me to co-op each week when I teach sensory classes. It’s seriously that good.

Sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated—just having a few go-to sensory play products on hand can open the door to hours of creativity, learning, and fun. These are the five items I come back to over and over again, both at home and in my co-op classroom. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refresh your setup, I hope this list gave you some new ideas to try.