Christmas Gifts for kids on a Budget

 As we approach the holiday season, parents and friends are no doubt looking for the perfect gifts for their children. If you are anything like me, you are looking for something inexpensive, entertaining, and slightly educational. This holiday season, I decided to make sensory bins. 

I started off by buying these bins from Walmart that cost about a dollar each. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-Set-of-10-6-Qt-Clear-Plastic-Storage-Boxes-with-Gray-Lids/247777555?athbdg=L1100&from=/search

The trick to making the perfect sensory bin, is to ensure it has the following materials:

1. A theme- choose this based on season, child likes, etc.

2. A filler- with younger children, you always need to make sure that these items are non-toxic- examples- rice, beans, lentils, oats, dried noodles, etc

3. Containers and scooping materials

4. Surprises- this is what I call themed materials that are within the bins

I tried to get as many materials as I could from the Dollar Tree and Walmart and what I couldn't find there, I ordered off of Amazon. I developed my two themes: Coal and Ice, and Christmas.

Inside my Coal and Ice bin I placed the following materials: white rice, animal figurines, green pipe cleaners, pinecones, glitter balls, ice gems, small containers with lids, and black rocks. 

Inside my Christmas bin I placed the following materials: white rice, red beans, split peas, pompoms, pipe cleaners, Christmas bells, plastic fillable ornaments, bows, and Christmas ornaments.

In total, I spent $65 to make 8 sensory bins to gift away. My son is one of the gift recipients, and he loves the sensory bins. He can play for hours with the same one, and then I can store it away for next year to be used again.