Rice/Sand Treasure Bin

How to Do:

1. Setup:

• Fill a plastic bin with rice or sand to create a sensory treasure bin.
• Hide a variety of small objects in the rice or sand, such as beads, coins, pompoms, wooden shapes (½ inch), or small toy parts.
• Optionally, create a themed bin (e.g., ocean, animals, shapes) to add interest.

2. Digging for Treasures:

• The participant will dig into the bin to search for hidden objects.
•  Encourage the participant to slowly dig, focusing on the sensation of the materials and objects they uncover.

3.Game Options:

• Number Game: Have the participant fish for a specific number of objects (e.g., “Find 3 objects”).
• Specific Object: Ask the participant to find an object of a certain color, shape, size, or category (e.g., “Find something round” or “Find a red object”).
• Fishing and Burying: After finding an object, encourage the participant to place it in a bowl or container and then bury it again for the next round of searching.

4. Sensory Exploration:

• Encourage the participant to close their eyes and describe the object they’ve found, focusing on its shape, texture, and how it feels. This promotes mindfulness and relaxation.
• Blindfold Game: If using a blindfold, have the participant describe the object’s shape and details to the helper, turning it into a guessing game.

5. Calming and Focus:

• Emphasize slow, deliberate digging to help calm the mind and encourage attention to detail.

Tips for Success:

• Adjust the difficulty of the game based on the participant’s age and ability.
• Encourage a calm, focused pace to promote relaxation and sensory exploration.
• Offer praise for detailed descriptions and creativity during the activity.

Materials Needed:

• Rice or Sand
• Plastic bin with a variety of objects such as beads, coins, pompoms, wooden ½ inch shapes and a variety of preferred small ½ inch toy parts/toys