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Josiegirl 04:57 AM 10-14-2018
Clueless as to posting pictures But I can tell you what we do. I have used under-bed plastic totes before, I've also used larger storage bucks and I have a tub that sets up on PVC legs, it's a bit bigger than the under-bed storage totes.
As far as things I've used, I have to say rice is my least favorite because no matter how well you sweep it up, it feels like you're stepping on it for days. But the kids love it. So here is a list of things I've used in the past:

beans/lentils/corn-made a farm silo out of an oatmeal container and added farm animals/tractors

soapy water-cleaned toys, dolls, added cups, whisks, spoons, washclothes or sponges

rice-added small glitter shapes, buttons, etc. as kind of a hunt game; have also added muffin tins and candles, scoopers

fall sensory- fall colored ribbons, small fake pumpkins, fake leaves and acorns and apples, pine cones, paper towel tubes

numbers sensory- toy clock numbers, sets of things they can count, playing cards, whatever you can find around the house and believe me when I say you are likely to find tons of stuff.

Winter sensory-white fluff/stuffing, styrofoam peanuts, found some white sparkly plastic snowflakes at the dollar store, small polar animals

Playdough- made a double batch, add Little People, big popsicle sticks, spoons, anything really

Rocks-dinosaurs, pine sprigs, sticks

Cutting-safety scissors tied to each corner((or not Lol), lots of junk mail, different papers, kids loved it

Potpourri-found big bags of it at Walmart, lots of curly things and huge seed pods, quite the sensory experience.

Dirt-small scoops, plastic planters, fake flowers

Ocean-water, small plastic fish/turtles/sea animals, aquarium pebbles, big rocks

Snow-mittens, polar animals, scoops, spoons, food coloring added by me

Mardi Gras-beads, bright colored shiny objects, masks

Pick a color and fill the tub with everything you can find throughout the house

Water Beads! Probably 1 of my dcks' favorite things but kinda messy cause they get right into it.

Hope I've helped a little bit. If you think of a theme, I'm sure you can create a lot of fun sensory tubs to play in! And pinterest has been a goldmine of ideas!!!

Some sensory bins are messier than others so if I have one available, I'll lay an old plastic tablecloth or shower curtain underneath. Using water, it seems like we always have to change into a dry set of clothes afterwards, even using smocks. As far as how many kids can use it at once, I've never limited the number but then I've only had 4 or 5 at a time that were able to use it. Plus I use bigger tubs to allow more room. Rules are simple. No throwing, keep most of it in the tub(I don't expect perfection) Lol and nothing goes in the mouth. If they're old enough to play by those rules it's usually good. I have found the 2 1/2-5 yos are pretty good about it. Anything younger starts eating and throwing but if I sit right with them and model expected behavior it works better. Anything older omigosh, what they can't think of to do with it. I had a rice table out 1 day and the SA dcb, maybe 8 at the time, was sticking rice by the cupfuls up his sleeves.
When it all starts going to he!!, that's when I announce ok, time to move on!
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