• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Science Facts
  • Science Questions
  • About
    • Emma Vanstone
    • About Science Sparks
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
    • STEM Challenges
    • FREE STEM Challenge Templates
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
  • FREE Science Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
  • Science Resources for Home and School

×
Home » Early Years Science » Preschool Science » Christmas Sensory Box – looking at our senses

Christmas Sensory Box – looking at our senses

Modified: Feb 23, 2023 · Published: Dec 15, 2011 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

I asked my 3-year-old to look around the house for Christmassy objects that she thought her younger sister might like to touch, and we made them into a little sensory box.

She came up with these.

orange, tinsel and Christmas decorations in a basket for a festive sensory box
white pom pom, orange, candy cane and Christmas decorations for a preschool science activity

We touched everything and smelled the food bits, discussing the different textures and scents. It made us stop and think about how different things feel and look, which was great for my daughter, who usually runs around without stopping to take anything in.

We also tried closing our eyes and guessing which object we picked up.

If you make a sensory box at home, we would love to see it.

More ideas for Christmas Sensory Trays

This snowman sensory box is super cute from Where Imagination Grows.

I bet this cinnamon scented rice tray smells amazing from Little Bins for Little Hands.

I Can Teach My Child has a gorgeous Grinch sensory bin.

This gorgeous Christmas sensory bin from Natural Beach Living looks so inviting!

Don’t forget to check out my other Christmas Science Ideas too!

Easy ideas for Christmas sensory bins - fun Christmas ideas for toddlers #toddlerChristmas #sensorybins

Last Updated on February 23, 2023 by Emma Vanstone

More Preschool Science

  • Things I can hear in the forest worksheet
    Things I Can Hear Worksheet
  • 20 Autumn and Fall Science Experiments
  • Paddling Pool Science Experiments
  • Shadow drawings
    Summer Science for Hot Days

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly

    December 15, 2011 at 7:31 am

    That looks like a fun sensory box!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      December 15, 2011 at 9:17 am

      Thank you. xx

      Reply
  2. would like to be a yummy mummy

    December 15, 2011 at 11:20 am

    What a fab idea. Mine love doing the treasure basket thing so would love this 🙂 x

    Reply
  3. Jude Wharton

    December 15, 2011 at 11:22 am

    Hi. I love this idea and really should do more of this with my little one at home. We have just finished Baby Sensory classes (absolutely fab!) and we explored sensory Christmas stockings there and I was so surprised that at 14 months my little boy was copying me and smelling the scented bags and now he smells things at home. It’s so cute because he pulls such a funny face with his exaggerated sniff!

    Lovely post.
    Thank you
    J x

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      December 21, 2011 at 11:25 am

      So glad you liked it! x

      Reply
  4. Actually Mummy...

    December 15, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    Half of that lot would get eaten before anyone had a chance to smell or feel it in our house! Great idea though – wonder where you got the inspiration!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      December 15, 2011 at 10:18 pm

      They did try 🙂

      Reply
  5. MsXpat

    December 15, 2011 at 8:26 pm

    What a brilliant idea! I’ll give it a go, but I’m not sure if my 13mths yr old will get past the candy cane, lol

    Reply
  6. TheBoyandMe

    December 15, 2011 at 9:54 pm

    Oh! Reminds me of the sensory box at the Tots last weekend!

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      December 15, 2011 at 10:18 pm

      hmmm…without the squishing limes!

      Reply
  7. LoeLaLoep (Heidi)

    December 16, 2011 at 9:41 am

    Such a nice idea! Must remember this. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  8. Sierra at H is for Homeschooling

    December 16, 2011 at 6:42 pm

    My little one loves using his nose with our sensory bin. I put an empty peppermint extract container in it and that is his favorite part 🙂

    Reply
    • ScienceSparks

      December 16, 2011 at 10:39 pm

      ooh that sounds good.

      Reply
  9. maggy,red ted art

    December 21, 2011 at 9:15 pm

    I love your sensory box! Fabulous to make it so seasonal 🙂 I know my kids would enjoy the taste experience most!

    Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!

    Maggy

    Reply
  10. Rebecca

    December 22, 2011 at 7:19 pm

    This is great. I’ve done a winter sensory box this year, next year I’ll make it more Christmassy. I’ve ran out of time now.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Imagine a world where science education is accessible to everyone and is all about hands-on, exciting discoveries. That’s the world I want to create.

More about me

Around the World in 50 Experiments

50 experiments about countries of the world

Footer

↑ back to top

Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd