At Connect the Dots, we believe some of the best learning happens through play. That’s why we’re excited to introduce something new: CTD Take-Home Sensory Bins!
If you’ve been in our clinic, chances are you’ve seen one of our Occupational Therapist Emma Tims’ creative sensory bins. From themed activities to thoughtful details, Emma has a special talent for creating sensory experiences that immediately draw kids in. And the kids noticed.
Over and over, CTD kids and families asked, “How can we get one of these to take home?”
So… we decided to make that happen!
Introducing monthly sensory bins for home, OT-created play experiences designed to bring the fun, creativity, and skill-building opportunities of sensory play from our clinic into your home.
We’re kicking things off this summer with our first theme:
🍋 Refreshing Lemonade Stand Sensory Bin 🍋
Each month, we’ll release a new sensory bin theme with fresh opportunities for kids to explore, create, and play. Sensory bins will be available for pick-up at our Eugene and Corvallis clinics.
Because these are limited-release themes, supplies are limited! We recommend calling our office to reserve yours before they’re gone.
What Makes Sensory Bins So Beneficial for Kids?
The best part about sensory bins? Kids don’t see them as “skill-building.” They see them as fun.
While kids are scooping, pouring, pretending, mixing, and creating, they’re naturally practicing important developmental skills.
Fine Motor Skills
Sensory bins encourage kids to use their hands in a variety of ways: scooping, pinching, pouring, stirring, and manipulating materials. These movements help build hand strength, coordination, and control needed for everyday activities like writing, dressing, and using utensils.
Sensory Processing
Sensory exploration gives kids opportunities to interact with different textures, materials, and sensations in a fun and predictable way. Sensory bins can support exploration, regulation, and body awareness through hands-on play.
Imaginative Play
A sensory bin can become whatever a child imagines. A lemonade stand, a restaurant, a pretend shop, a science experiment, the possibilities are endless.
Imaginative play supports creativity, flexibility, problem-solving, and social development.
Language Development
Play creates natural opportunities for communication. Kids can practice describing what they are doing, making requests, sharing ideas, creating stories, and engaging in pretend conversations.
Visual Motor Skills
Scooping, pouring, transferring materials, finding hidden items, and following visual directions all support coordination between what kids see and what their hands do.
Executive Function Skills
Sensory play encourages kids to plan, organize, make choices, follow steps, adapt ideas, and solve problems, all important skills for everyday life.
Why Parents Love Take-Home Sensory Bins
Parents are often looking for activities that are:
- Engaging
- Easy to set up
- Screen-free
- Developmentally meaningful
- Something kids will actually want to do
CTD Take-Home Sensory Bins are designed with that in mind.
No Prep Required
No searching for supplies. No creating a Pinterest-worthy activity. No messy setup. Simply open the lid and start playing.
Perfect for Quiet Time
Sensory bins can be a great independent play activity when kids need something calming and engaging. Need a few minutes to drink your coffee while it’s still warm? We get it.
Great for One Child or Many
Sensory bins can be enjoyed independently or become a fun activity for siblings, friends, and family members to explore together.
Easy to Take Anywhere
Heading camping? Going to the beach? Planning a staycation? Sensory bins are a simple activity you can bring along for summer adventures.
The Magic Is Watching Kids Make It Their Own
One of our favorite things about sensory bins is that every child plays differently.
Some kids love following the included lemonade recipes and creating pretend beverages. Others build an entire lemonade stand, create menus, or invent their own imaginative worlds.
There’s no single “right” way to play. That creativity, exploration, and independence is exactly what makes sensory play so special.
Choose Your CTD Sensory Bin Option
We know families already have different supplies at home, so we’re offering two options:
🍋 Sensory Bin — $24.99
All sensory materials included in an easy-to-store container, ready for play.
🍋 Sensory Bag — $19.99
All sensory materials included in a bag. Simply add your own container at home!
Whether your child is exploring textures, practicing fine motor skills, building language, creating pretend play, or simply enjoying a fun summer activity, CTD Take-Home Sensory Bins provide meaningful, engaging play kids want to return to again and again.
Call our office to reserve your sensory bin today!