Pumpkin Scented Pumpkin Sensory Bin!

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This pumpkin-scented pumpkin themed sensory bin smells so good you will want to dig into the orange rice with your kiddos!


Besides it smelling like the perfect fall moment, this sensory bin gives your children an opportunity to practice their social skills in a focused, small group.  Plus, the same parts of your brain that are activated when you smell something brilliant are associated with memory!  Just for fun, try pulling this bin out right before or after introducing a new concept, and see if you think it boosts your kiddos' memory!

Our kiddos had tons of fun playing with the pumpkin scented bin, their trucks, and other props!  But, before we talk about how they played, let's talk about how to make orange pumpkin scented rice! 

 Don't worry...it's super easy!


Pour your white rice into a large pyrex bowl.  Pyrex is wonderful because the food coloring doesn't stain it...at least it never has in my house!  You can also use disposable trays or zip-lock baggies.

Add yellow and red food coloring and two big squirts of hand sanitizer.  I like gel food coloring because it seems to take less than other kinds.  I use about 2-1/2 times as much yellow as red.


Use a spoon and smash the two colors together, then smash it into the rice.  Add 10-12 drops of Pumpkin Patch essential oil (see the affiliate link at the bottom of this post), and mix it together well.


Wasn't that easy?!  

Now pour it into your bin and add pumpkins or other toys.  My kids have a set of construction trucks that they like to use in sensory bins.


They poured it, and scooped it, and piled it, and just ran their fingers through it...soaking up the wonderful pumpkin-y smell!




This post is part of a pumpkin scented mini series here at Preschool Powol Packets!  Be sure to check back soon to see what else we've been up to!

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I may share at any of these parties!




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