Theme: Sensory Play: “Good Luck” Bin
Age: 2–5 years
Theme: Chinese New Year / Good Luck
Base
Dyed red rice or lentils
Add-ins
- Gold coins (plastic)
- Mini red envelopes (angpao)
- CNY elements (felt Chinese characters, plum blossoms, lanterns, etc.)
- Wooden spoons, scoops, cups
How to Set Up
- Pour the red rice or lentils into a sensory bin or tray.
- Hide the gold coins, angpao, and CNY elements inside.
- Place scoops, spoons, and cups nearby.
Play Prompts
- “Let’s collect good luck for the New Year!”
- “Can you find what’s hidden in the red rice?”
- “Can you find the gold coin?”
- “Find the flower and put it in the bowl.”
- “Let’s scoop and pour into the cup.”
Skills Developed
- Fine motor skills
- Pouring & scooping coordination
- Color recognition (red & gold)
- Sensory exploration
- Focus and attention
Tip
- Allow free exploration—there’s no right or wrong way to play.
- Talk about colors and objects as children discover them.
- Children under 3 years old should be supervised by an adult during sensory play.