S’mores Sensory Bin with Free Number and Shape Printables

I created these S’mores sensory activities for preschoolers to combine several early-learning skills in one playful camping theme. Children can search through cotton-ball “marshmallows” for printable numbers and chocolate shapes, then practice drawing what they find in crushed graham crackers.

When I tested the writing portion, the graham cracker crumbs worked, but I learned that the container matters. I photographed the activity on a paper plate, but a shallow foil pan would do a much better job of keeping the crumbs contained. Children could also gently shake the pan to smooth the surface between turns.

The crumbs aren’t as uniform as sand, so the traced lines may not look perfectly crisp. I also tested moon sand as another option and didn’t like the result. The combination I would use is the cotton-ball S’mores sensory bin with a thin layer of graham cracker crumbs in a shallow tray with raised edges.

Why You’ll Love This Preschool Sensory Bin

• Several skills in one activity: Children can practice numbers, shapes, counting, sequencing, and early writing.
• Simple sensory filler: Cotton balls resemble marshmallows without filling the entire bin with food.
• Easy to adjust: Begin with numbers 1–10 and add numbers through 20 when children are ready.
• Classroom friendly: Use the complete setup or divide it into separate sensory-bin and writing-tray centers.
• Versatile theme: It works well with camping units, summer activities, and National S’mores Day.

Activity	Skill Practiced
Find the marshmallow numbers	Number recognition and visual discrimination
Put the numbers in order	Number sequencing
Count cotton-ball marshmallows	Counting and one-to-one correspondence
Find the chocolate shapes	Shape recognition
Draw in the graham cracker tray	Prewriting and fine motor control
Match shapes to nearby objects	Making real-world shape connections

S’mores Sensory Bin for Preschoolers

This S’mores sensory bin combines several preschool learning activities in one playful setup. Cotton balls provide a soft sensory filler that looks like marshmallows without using food to fill the entire bin.

Printable marshmallow numbers and chocolate shape cards are hidden among the cotton balls. Children can find a card, identify the number or shape, and then draw it in the graham cracker writing tray.

The numbers 0–10 and the shape cards make up the core preschool activity. Additional number cards through 20 can be added for older preschoolers, kindergarten students, or children who are ready for a greater challenge.

Supplies

• Cotton balls
• Shallow sensory bin or container
• Printable marshmallow number cards
• Printable chocolate shape cards
• Graham crackers
• Resealable bag and rolling pin for crushing the crackers
• Shallow foil pan or tray
• Unsharpened pencil or a finger for tracing
• Scissors
• Cardstock or printer paper
• Laminator and laminating sheets, optional

Adult supervision is recommended, especially when working with young children and food-based sensory materials.

How to Set Up the S’mores Sensory Activity

Step 1: Print the marshmallow number cards and chocolate shape cards you would like to use.

Step 2: Cut the cards apart. You can print them on cardstock or laminate them before cutting if you plan to use them repeatedly.

Step 3: Fill a shallow sensory bin with cotton balls.

Step 4: Tuck the printable pieces between and underneath the cotton balls. Leave a few cards partially visible so children understand that there are numbers and shapes to find.

Step 5: If you are using graham crackers, place them in a resealable bag and crush them into small crumbs with a rolling pin.

Step 6: Pour a thin layer of graham cracker crumbs or sand into a foil pan or another tray with raised sides.

Step 7: Invite children to search the sensory bin for a marshmallow number or chocolate shape.

Step 8: Have them identify what they found and draw the corresponding number or shape in the graham cracker crumbs (or sand).

Step 9: Gently shake the tray from side to side to smooth the crumbs or sand before selecting another card.

Marshmallow Number Cards 0–10

The marshmallow number cards from 0 through 10 are the core number set for this preschool activity. Hide the cards throughout the cotton balls and invite children to find and identify each number.

Children can also:

• Put the numbers in numerical order
• Match numbers to groups of cotton balls
• Find the number that comes before or after another number
• Draw each number in the graham cracker tray
• Place the corresponding number of cotton-ball marshmallows beside each card

[DOWNLOAD THE MARSHMALLOW NUMBERS 1–10]

Chocolate Shape Cards

Each printable shape is displayed in the center of its own chocolate bar. The packet includes:

• Triangle
• Circle
• Square
• Rectangle
• Oval
• Heart
• Star

Children can find a chocolate card, name the shape, and practice drawing it in the sensory writing tray. You can also ask them to look around the room for an object with the same shape.

[DOWNLOAD THE CHOCOLATE SHAPE CARDS]

How to Make a Sensory Writing Tray with Graham Crackers

Place a thin layer of crushed graham crackers in a shallow foil pan or tray. If the layer is too deep, the traced numbers and shapes will be harder to see.

Children can use a finger or an unsharpened pencil to draw the number or shape shown on each printable card. Afterward, gently shake the pan to smooth the surface and begin again.

I photographed this activity using a paper plate. It worked for the photos, but I recommend using a shallow foil pan instead. The raised sides will help contain the crumbs and keep them from spreading across the table. A pan will also be easier for children to shake gently when they want to erase their work.

What I Learned While Testing It

The graham cracker crumbs worked for tracing, but they aren’t as uniform as grains of sand. A few larger crumbs may fall back into the traced line, so the finished number or shape won’t always have perfectly crisp edges.

That may not bother most children, but children who like their work to look just right might notice it.

I tested moon sand as another option and did not like how it worked for this activity. Actual sand may be worth trying because children can easily trace in it, much like drawing in sand at the beach. However, I did not personally test actual sand with these cards.

Number Recognition Activities for Preschool

The marshmallow cards can be used for several number recognition activities for preschool, beyond simply finding the numbers in the sensory bin.

Children can:

• Say each number aloud as they find it
• Put the cards in numerical order
• Find the number that comes before or after another number
• Match each card to the correct number of cotton balls
• Separate smaller and larger numbers
• Choose a number and trace it in the graham cracker tray
• Find two numbers and decide which is greater

Begin with only a few numbers for children who are still learning to recognize them. Add more cards as their confidence grows.

Marshmallow Number Cards 11–15

When children are ready to move beyond the first number set, add the marshmallow cards numbered 11 through 15.

Instead of introducing all the additional numbers at once, you can hide just a few new cards among familiar numbers. This lets children practice recognizing larger numbers without making the sensory bin overwhelming.

[DOWNLOAD THE MARSHMALLOW NUMBERS 11–15]

Marshmallow Number Cards 16–20

Use the final number set to extend the activity through 20. These cards are useful for older preschoolers, kindergarten students, homeschool lessons, and classroom learning centers.

Children can place all the cards from 1 through 20 in order or select a card and count out the matching number of cotton balls.

[DOWNLOAD THE MARSHMALLOW NUMBERS 16–20]

Camping Preschool Activities: Ways to Use This S’mores Bin

This S’mores sensory bin can be added to a larger collection of camping preschool activities or used as an independent learning center.

It would work well for:

• A preschool camping theme
• A classroom sensory center
• A summer camp unit
• National S’mores Day
• A campfire-themed classroom day
• Homeschool number and shape lessons
• Preschool quiet time
• Small-group instruction

You can use the complete activity at one table or divide it into two learning centers. Place the cotton-ball sensory bin at one center for number and shape recognition and the graham cracker sensory writing tray at another center for tracing practice.

Easy Ways to Adapt the Activity

Practice Counting

After finding a number, have children count out the corresponding number of cotton balls. For larger numbers, you can use mini pom-poms or another small classroom manipulative if that is easier.

Focus Only on Shapes

Hide only the chocolate shape cards. Children can name each shape, trace it in the crumbs, or find something nearby with the same shape.

Use It Without Graham Cracker Crumbs

The sensory bin can still be used as a number and shape activity without the separate writing tray. Children can find, identify, match, sort, count, and order the cards.

Prepare It for Repeated Classroom Use

Print the cards on cardstock and laminate them before cutting them apart. Laminating is optional, but it can help the printables withstand repeated use in a classroom, homeschool, or daycare setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this S’mores sensory bin for?

The number cards from 0–10 and the basic shape cards are best suited to preschool and pre-K children. The cards numbered 11–20 can extend the activity for older preschoolers and kindergarten students. Always consider each child’s developmental level and provide appropriate adult supervision.

Is this a taste-safe sensory bin?

No. The sensory-bin filler is made from cotton balls and should not be eaten. Although the writing tray contains crushed graham crackers, the materials are intended for learning and sensory play rather than eating.

Can I make this activity without using food?

Yes. Use the printable cards and cotton-ball sensory bin without the graham cracker tray. Children can still practice number and shape recognition, counting, matching, sorting, and sequencing.

Do I need to laminate the printable cards?

No. Regular printer paper or cardstock will work for occasional use. Laminating the cards makes them sturdier and is helpful if you plan to reuse the activity in a classroom, homeschool, or daycare setting.

What can children use to draw in the graham cracker crumbs?

Children can use a finger or an unsharpened pencil. Model how to form the number or shape before inviting children to try it independently.

Can I use sand instead of graham cracker crumbs?

Sand may work well because children can easily draw numbers and shapes in it. I did not personally test sand with this activity, but it is an alternative worth trying. I tested moon sand and did not like how it worked for this particular writing tray.

How can I keep the graham cracker crumbs from making a mess?

Use a shallow foil pan or another tray with raised sides instead of a paper plate. Add only a thin layer of crumbs and place the tray on a washable mat or table covering.

More Preschool Activities

If you enjoyed this S’mores sensory activity, you might also like these hands-on preschool activities:

• Farm Animal Feeding Sensory Bin
• Flower Pot Number Matching Activity
• Magnet Sheet Shape Activity for Kids
• Lightning Bug Mason Jar Printable Craft
• Lantern Handprint Craft Printable