Apple Color Sorting Sensory Bin

Sharing is caring!

Looking for a simple fall activity to keep your toddler busy and learning? Our apple color sorting sensory bin was a huge hit with my 3-year-old, and I just had to share how much she enjoyed it! If you’re searching for hands-on sensory play for toddlers that builds skills while keeping little hands engaged, this activity is the perfect blend of fun and learning.

Sensory bins are one of our favorite ways to explore new themes. They offer open-ended play, encourage curiosity, and help toddlers strengthen fine motor skills. This apple-themed version is especially great for introducing color recognition in a playful, low-prep way.

In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to create your own apple-themed bin—from materials and setup to educational extensions and toddler-tested tips. Let’s dive into this cozy fall activity your child will love!

Why Sensory Bins Work So Well for This Age

Sensory bins are a toddler favorite for good reason—they invite hands-on play that sparks curiosity and builds essential skills. With textures to touch and colors to explore, sensory bins engage the senses and support early learning.

They also encourage independent play and exploration, giving toddlers the freedom to discover at their own pace. Sensory play can be easily adapted for different developmental stages, making it a flexible option for busy days.

Best of all, sensory bins often have a calming effect, helping toddlers stay focused and centered during play.

Looking for more ideas? Try our Outer Space Sensory Bin for another fun and educational activity.

Apple Color Sorting Sensory Bin

Ready to set up your own apple color sorting sensory bin? This quick and easy activity requires only a few materials and can be assembled in under 10 minutes. It’s the perfect hands-on invitation to play—and learn—this fall.

Apple Sensory Bin Supplies

You don’t need anything fancy to set up this apple color sorting sensory bin—just a few simple supplies and a little creativity. Most of these items can be found around the house or picked up affordably at a craft or dollar store.

• Dried green split peas – These make a wonderful, soft base for your bin and give it that earthy, fall feel.
• Red, yellow, and green pom-poms – These act as your “apples” for sorting by color. Choose medium to large sizes for easier handling.
• Sensory tweezers, scoopers, or tongs – These tools help strengthen fine motor skills while adding a fun challenge to the activity.
• 3 toilet paper rolls – Paint or decorate them in red, yellow, and green to create simple sorting tubes or baskets.

Money-saving tip: Don’t worry about buying everything new. Use what you have—cotton balls, construction paper, kitchen tools, or even colored lids can work just as well!

How to Set up the Apple Color Sorting Sensory Bin

Now that you’ve gathered your materials, it’s time to put everything together. Follow these simple steps to create an inviting, hands-on sensory experience your toddler will love.

Prepare the Toilet Paper Rolls: Paint one toilet paper roll red, one yellow, and one green. These will serve as the apple “sorting baskets.”

Create the Base: Pour the green split peas into the bin to create a soft and textured “grass” base.

Add the Apples: Scatter red, yellow, and green pom poms throughout the bin on top of the peas.

Set Out Tools: Place sensory tweezers, tongs, or scoopers in the bin.

Play and Learn with the Apple Sensory Bin

Once the bin is set up, invite your toddler to use the tools—like tweezers or tongs—to pick up the pom-poms and sort them by color. Each “apple” (pom-pom) should be placed into the toilet paper roll that matches its color: red with red, yellow with yellow, green with green.

You can also mix things up with a few playful variations to keep the activity fresh and engaging:

• Race to Sort: Set a timer and challenge your child to see how many apples they can sort in 30 seconds.
• Count and Compare: After sorting, count the pom-poms in each tube. Talk about which color has the most, the least, or if any are the same.

These simple twists add even more learning and excitement to your sensory bin play.

FAQs About the Apple Sensory Bin

This apple color sorting sensory bin is more than just a fun fall activity—it’s a wonderful way to support your toddler’s development through hands-on play. From strengthening fine motor skills to building early color recognition and encouraging independent exploration, this simple setup offers a wealth of learning opportunities.