The month of May is all about getting outside and watching things grow. Outside isn’t ALWAYS an option. So here is a little garden of “dirt” she can play with inside without a huge mess! The Black Bean Garden Sensory bin is super simple to set up and we had most of the supplies at home already!
This is a great activity to practice pouring and transferring. Also, the beans are super simple to clean up if there is a spill!
Garden Sensory Bin Tools
The Garden Sensory bin came together really nicely for us the only thing I had to buy were the beans! Be warned you will need more than you think. I originally picked up two bask from the store and they cover the bottom of the tray but it just wasn’t enough to ‘dig’ in so I added another 2. (You could probably get by with 3) If you can buy in bulk somewhere that would be the way to go I think! Especially if you are filling a bigger sensory bin.
Bitty received the shovel and rake for Easter and the little red bowls and silver pots we already had. I added a smaller spoon for another scooping option as well.
The previous weekend we had planted our garden and true to form I saw treasure in the trash! The little plastic container that little flowers come in was red and from an actual garden, so before it hit the recycling I gave in another life in the garden sensory bin!
Finally, I added some flowers and little plants to give her something to plant in her garden sensory bin and it was done!
New Sensory Bin Set Up
If you can recall from my other sensory bin posts you’ll notice that our set up is a little different this week.
I have been on the lookout for a sensory tray that was low walled, was easily cleanable (i.e. not wood) and had no open spaces in the walls. This was harder than you may think BUT thankfully its also spring time and that means lots of stores have their patio sections fully stocked and this serving tray fit the bill perfectly! It is very similar to the near famous K-mart play tray (at least it’s famous over in the Australia mom crowd, where they actually have K-marts lol)
I have had a hunch for a while that Bitty would enjoy and interact with her sensory bits a bit better if they weren’t on the floor. With the tray placed on her little play table it is right at her hight and she can easily move around the whole tray to access any part of it she likes. So far it has been a win! My only complaint is the tray is ever so slightly too big for her under the bed bin and now I don’t know where to store her tray when its time to put it away!
Bonus Bean Fun
This week’s bin has PERFECT timing, as just this week Bitty has learned the word ‘bean’! I mean when she says it, it sounds like ‘mean’…but it is without a doubt exactly what she is trying to say! This is so exciting, I feel like because she took so long to actually start using words that now we are adding new ones every day and I am LOVING it!
Gardening here there and everywhere
Do you have a garden this spring? this is our first year with more than a couple containers so we are excited! Here are a couple of pictures I put on up Instagram of Bitty helping in our real garden. If you’re not following me on Instagram you are missing out on Mama’May’an this month! I am posting once every day for the month of May! Make sure to follow for lots of behind the scenes, tot school activities and adorable toddler antics!
this is the firs time using her new watering can, it didn’t take her long and she’s a pro! 
If you look close you’ll notice she is COVERED in dirt. You can thank our fur baby for that!
If you liked this post and want some more sensory bin inspiration, check out Rainbow Noodles, Easter Eggs, and Green Water Beads.
Share your Garden Sensory Bin!
If you give this a try tag me @mamameganallysa or share it on my Facebook page. I would love to see all the different kinds of gardens that could be made with this setup! If you could grow anything in your backyard what would it be? I think a money tree would be awesome 😉 or maybe just some watermelon!