For my learning-themed sensory bin I started with Lakeshore’s Translucent Letters and a variety of miniature items (each of which corresponds to each letter). I got some clear plastic rocks and small puck lights (which have since been recalled due to safety concerns so I need to find a replacement) and added them all to the sensory bin. Kids can play in the sensory bin in any way they’d like, but one of the things they can do is match the letters to their corresponding item. I find that kids who prefer structured activities are better able to address their sensory system with bins like this because they don’t feel as bored.
This year I tried to add as wide a variety of interests as possible. The up-side is that there’s something for every one of my patients in the bin. The down-side is that all the kids have needed help finding the right toy for each letter since none of them are familiar with all the interests.
You can find the rest of my themed sensory bins here.
And you can find the rest of my learning-themed materials here.