I feel like I am on a mission to bring PVC pipe to every classroom in the world! I am also kind of obsessed with PVC Pipe and all of the fun stuff you can make with it. I mean…I keep coming up with new ways to use it (and so do so many other amazingly talented teachers and bloggers!)! I mean why not?! The stuff is cheap. It can be painted to match your classroom. Did I mention cheap?! And it really is a simple solution to some of our classroom needs!
So, I’ve shown you my PVC Pipe Math centers….my 3 sided PVC pipe pocket chart stand…my PVC pipe mini anchor chart stand….and today….
A PVC PIPE SENSORY BIN!!!!!!
You will need:
PVC Pipe
Elbow connectors (2)
3 sided connector (8)
T connector (2)
Pool Noodles (optional)
The sensory bin itself is a Rubbermaid container. It has a lid so if I want to seal the bin overnight or on weekends I can.
The stand itself is 26″ tall. (You will need 4 legs at your desired height)
The long sides are 22″ long (You will need 4 of these…2 top and 2 bottom)
The short sides are 16″ long (You will need 5 of these…2 top and 2 bottom and 1 for the support bar)
You will also need two pieces that are 2″ long to attach the support bar.
The support bar is VERY important! Even if your bin fits snugly into your stand, you need the support bar to hold the weight. Otherwise you have 10 pounds of pink sand everywhere and one very upset 5 year old! True story. The support bar is required!
Our bin has held up for a year! 10 pounds of sand….aquarium rocks…epsom salt…the support bar is the key! (Do you see how much I am reminding you about that support bar?! )
You will need to cut 2 of the 22″ pieces in half and connect them with a T connector so you can attach the support bar!
You will attach the elbows to the bottom of the support bar connector pieces and attach the support bar to the elbows!
After you cut the pieces, it’s pretty simple to assemble your sensory bin or sensory table!
I did not use any glue to assemble my sensory bin stand. I just slide the pipe into the fittings! You can use glue if you want!
I also cut pool noodle pieces to fit onto the sides of our stand. This just made the sensory bin more secure in the stand! Less wiggle room so less chance of a spill!
If you want some ideas on how I use our sensory bin, check out this post all about our sensory bin!
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Love it! Thanks for sharing! I've shown my husband some PVC pipe chart stands and asked him if he could make them. He said they would be easy to make! (It's crazy how $$$ they are online)
Great ideas! I love your site- Thanks for all that you do- I know that you love building with the PVC pipes, guess what??? so do you babies!! I just cut a bunch of PVC pipe and got some connectors and put them in a container and the kids LOVE to build with them! Kids of all ages! I did this about 10 years ago with PK and then in 2nd grade and now in K and each age loved them!! Just thought maybe I could share an idea with you for once 🙂
Great writing. Thanks