Originally Published: June 20, 2014; Updated: July 2026

Looking for a simple sensory activity that encourages imaginative play while building fine motor skills? This Animal Washing Sensory Bin is easy to set up using toys you probably already have at home or in your classroom.

Children love pretending to care for animals, and adding warm, bubbly water makes the experience even more engaging. As they scrub, rinse, and explore, they’re also strengthening hand muscles, practicing life skills, and enjoying a calming sensory experience.

Animal Washing Sensory Play for Toddlers & Preschoolers

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Why Children Love Washing Animals

Sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest activities become children’s favorites.

This animal washing invitation encourages children to:

• develop fine motor skills
• strengthen hand muscles
• practice hand-eye coordination
• engage in imaginative play
• build language and storytelling skills
• explore textures through sensory play
• learn early responsibility by “caring” for their animals

Whether you’re a parent, preschool teacher, or home daycare provider, this activity is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Plastic animal figures (we LOVE these Jungle, Farm, Zoo, or Pets sets. We have them all)
• Large sensory bin or water table
• Warm water
• A few squirts of dish soap or baby shampoo
• Scrub brushes or old toothbrushes
• Washcloths or sponges
• Towels for drying

Optional:

• Measuring cups
• Small buckets
• Spray bottles
• Toy veterinarian kit

How to Set Up the Animal Washing Station

1. Fill your sensory bin with warm water.
2. Add a small amount of dish soap and mix until bubbles form.
3. Place the plastic animals into the water.
4. Add brushes, cloths, and sponges.
5. Invite children to scrub, rinse, and dry each animal.

That’s it! Setup only takes a few minutes.

Scrub, scrub, scrub! The animals got a good scrubbing and washing! My daughter and the daycare girls did a great job sharing and taking turns with the scrub brushes and towels.  

Learning Opportunities

While children play, talk about:

• animal names
• habitats
• colors
• sizes
• body parts
• counting animals
• sorting by habitat
• caring for living things

Open-ended questions encourage conversation.

For example:

• Which animal is the dirtiest?
• Does the giraffe need more bubbles?
• Which animal lives in the water?
• How can we help the elephant get clean?

Now the toys are all clean!  Washing bins are such fun for everyone!

Tips

• Use only a small amount of soap to make cleanup easier.
• Lay towels underneath the sensory bin.
• Supervise toddlers around water.
• Use warm water on cool days for extra comfort.

More Sensory Activities You’ll Love

• Citrus Discovery Bottles
• Forest Animals Sensory Bin
• Building with Ice Blocks
• Farm Small World Sensory Play

What’s your favorite sensory play activity for washing?

Looking for more crafts and activities? Check out our index for 100+ kids’ activities! Find activities by theme, materials, skills, age, and much more!