Ocean Sensory Bin Ideas for Multi-Age Play

Looking for a fun and easy way to keep your little ones entertained? This ocean-themed sensory bin was a huge hit at our house! My 11-month-old nephew, my two-year-old, and my six-year-old all had the best time playing with it—which doesn’t happen often with such a wide age range! 

Between the sparkly “treasure,” colorful sea creatures, and soft blue rice, there was something in this bin for everyone. Plus, it only takes a few simple materials to set up (ours were all things we had here at home), and you can reuse most of them again and again.

Let me show you how to put it together and share some easy play ideas that work for toddlers, preschoolers, and even curious babies (with supervision, of course!).

[And if you like this sensory bin, you’ll love this easy fall sensory bin and this baking soda and vinegar fizzy play, too!]

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Supplies You’ll Need:

Here’s everything I used to put together our ocean-themed sensory bin. Feel free to swap out or add items based on what you already have at home!

• Blue dyed rice – This makes the perfect “water” base! (If you haven’t dyed rice before, it’s super easy—go check out my rainbow rice tutorial here to learn how.)
• Ocean animal toys – We used a set we got from the aquarium recently, but these would be perfect too.
• Plastic shells – Ours were actually Easter “eggs” from the dollar store (but here’s a great alternative!).
• Beaded necklaces – These made such fun pretend treasure! My girls loved digging through the rice to find them.
• Optional: scoops, cups, or small containers – Great for pouring, scooping, and sorting.

How to Set It Up:

This sensory bin took just a few minutes to set up, and the best part? Almost no cleanup mess, thanks to one of my favorite sensory play tricks—using a big under-bed storage container!

1. Start with your bin – I always use a large under-bed storage bin so the kids can actually sit inside it while they play. It keeps the rice mostly contained and gives them space to play without everything spilling out.
   
2. Pour in the blue rice – Cover the bottom of the bin with a layer of your dyed rice. This acts as your ocean “water.”
   
3. Add the ocean animals – Scatter them around or bury a few slightly in the rice for a fun surprise.
   
4. Place the shells and necklaces – These add texture and interest, and the necklaces are especially fun for pretend treasure hunts.
   
5. Add scoops and containers – This step is optional but adds another layer of fun for pouring, sorting, and collecting.

That’s it! Your ocean sensory bin is ready for hours of imaginative, hands-on play.

Why It’s Great for Multiple Ages:

One of the things I love most about this sensory bin is that all three of my kiddos—ages 11 months, 2 years, and 6 years—enjoyed it in totally different ways. It’s rare to find an activity that works for such a wide age range, but this one kept everyone happily engaged.

• For babies (11 months): With close supervision, sensory bins can be a gentle introduction to textures and scooping. My nephew loved running his fingers through the rice, and picking up and shaking the necklaces. (Just be sure to keep small items out of reach if your little one is still mouthing everything!)
  
• For toddlers (2 years): The scooping, dumping, and hiding of treasures was a huge hit. My toddler had so much fun “digging” for animals and finding shiny necklaces buried in the rice.
  
• For preschoolers and early elementary (6 years): Older kids can turn this into full-on imaginative play—creating ocean adventures, sorting sea creatures, and organizing treasure hunts. My oldest even made up a story about a crab who guards the treasure!

No matter their age, each child gets something developmentally appropriate from this kind of play!

Play Ideas & Extensions:

If your kids are anything like mine, they’ll come up with their own ideas in no time—but here are a few fun ways to switch things up or extend the play:

• Treasure Hunt: Bury the beaded necklaces under the rice and challenge your kids to find them all. You can even turn it into a timed game!
  
• Sorting Challenge: Ask your child to sort the ocean animals by color, size, or type. This adds a bit of early learning to the fun.
  
• Scoop & Pour Station: Add measuring cups, small bowls, or spoons to encourage scooping and pouring—great for fine motor practice.
  
• Storytime Play: Pair the bin with an ocean-themed book like Mister Seahorse or Commotion in the Ocean and let your child act out the story. Then you could create our favorite paper plate ocean craft for a whole afternoon of sweet ocean themed activities.
  
• Sensory Listening: Play gentle ocean sounds or beach-themed music in the background to create a calming sensory experience.

This bin is easy to adapt and keep fresh, which makes it a favorite in our rotation!

Tips for Easy Cleanup:

Sensory bins can get messy—but with a few simple tricks, cleanup doesn’t have to be a headache.

• Use a large under-bed storage container – This is my go-to for sensory play! Not only does it give the kids plenty of room to play inside the bin, but it also helps keep the rice contained. When they’re done, I just pour the rice from the big bin into the Tupperware where I’m storing it.
• Lay down a plastic tablecloth or shower curtain – If your kiddos prefer to sit outside the bin, placing something underneath catches stray rice and makes sweeping it up a breeze.
• Keep a small broom or handheld vacuum nearby – This is a lifesaver for the occasional rice escapee. A quick once-over and you’re good to go.
• Store rice in a zip-top bag or airtight container – If you’re switching out themes, just pour the rice into a bag or container to save it for next time. Dyed rice can last for years if stored properly!

With these simple cleanup hacks, you can spend less time stressing about messes and more time enjoying the play.

I love how something as simple as blue rice and a few ocean toys can lead to hours of creative, hands-on fun. This ocean-themed sensory bin was such a hit with my kids—watching them explore, imagine, and play together (even with their big age differences) made this mama’s heart happy.

Whether you’re entertaining a toddler, keeping a preschooler busy, or just looking for a screen-free activity that’s actually engaging, this sensory bin checks all the boxes. Plus, it’s easy to set up, store, and reuse—making it a win for both kids and parents.

If you try this ocean bin with your little ones, I’d love to hear how it goes! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram so I can see your setup. Happy playing!