Ahhhh, I just love this time of year! I made another Christmas sensory bin yesterday. 
I picked these nativity sets up years ago, at a dollar store. They’re always a big hit with the little ones when I bring them out of storage at this time of the year. 
I usually just set them on a table or on the floor for play, but this year I decided to turn it all into a sensory experience. 
Nothing fancy – I just filled a foil roasting pan with various lentils, tucked the Nativity sets in and added a “christmas tree” (it’s a candle that I’ve had for years).
The Hooligans had a great time with it. The lentils add a whole new element of play. Pouring, scooping, filling the houses with beans etc.
I love how boys and girls typically play differently with things. Yesterday, when I set out the bin for the first time, Miss Mess quickly announced, “I’m going to decorate my house”, while the boys proceeded to make construction noises, and use their house as a bulldozer.
I love this too: This morning I set the Nativities out for a two year old who hadn’t yet seen it. Then I had to answer the door, and got talking, for a few minutes, with a parent who was dropping off their child. When I came back, I had to chuckle at what the 2 year old was busy doing:
Hee-hee. I love it!
gorgeous!!
Thanks, Anna!
I love it too! Amazing little people do amazing things. Although I have to admit, if *I* had an ice cube tray AND nativity figures that would fit in the cubbies, I’d probably be matching them up too . . . after I got done bulldozing.