Summer Morning Bins for Toddlers

When I was a preschool teacher having morning bins was such a great way to get kids to start their day and prepare them for the day ahead. Now, as a stay-at-home mom, I’m learning these morning bins are a life saver, they help entertain my daughter so that I can get ready, pick up the house, or just enjoy a cup coffee in the mornings. 


Dot Markers 

My daughter loves using these dot markers lately and there are about a million different free printable online specifically for these! Here are the summer printable that I found and used. 


Playdoh Sensory 

Playdoh is always a big hit with little ones. We are going to the beach this summer so I decided to create a beach themed sensory bin and made sand-dough. I added some fun wooden ocean animals that I found at Hobby Lobby and some seashells. You can also download and laminate this sand castle playdoh mat.

Sand Playdoh Recipe 

  • 1 cup all purpose flour

  • 1 cup sand

  • 1/4 cup salt

  • 1 tbsp cream of tartar

  • 1 tbsp oil

  • 3/4 cup hot water.

  • Glitter (optional)



Matching Games

Color and Shape Matching Popsicles 

My daughter is really starting work on learning her colors and shapes so I made these fun summer popsicles using free paint chip samples from Lowes and craft popsicles sticks. Add Velcro or magnets to make it easier for little ones to stick them together. 



Ocean Animal Matching 

Print these out, laminate, and some magnets for matching!

Lacing 

Lacing cards are great for fine motor skill development and are super easy to make. I created these FREE printable ones. Print on cardstock, laminate, punch holes, and add some cheap shoe laces!  

Alphabet Hunt Sensory 

I just added rice, seashells, and wooden letters that I got at Hobby Lobby to a bin and let my daughter dig through to find the letters and match them to the printed ocean alphabet! 

KayDee Runkel