Parable of the Lost Sheep Sensory Bin

Have you ever noticed how little ones seem to learn best when their hands are busy? That’s exactly why I love sensory bins—they’re such a simple way to keep kids engaged while sneaking in a little learning (and a lot of fun). Yesterday, we made a Parable of the Lost Sheep sensory bin, and it turned out to be the sweetest —and EASIEST— hands-on way to share one of Jesus’s stories.

If you’re not familiar, the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) is a beautiful reminder of how much God loves each of us. He cares so deeply that He’ll search high and low to bring us back when we wander. And what better way to help kids understand that kind of love than by letting them play, search, and “find” a little lost sheep of their own?

This sensory bin is super easy to put together, uses items you probably already have (I am BIG on keeping my sensory bins budget-friendly!), and will keep your little ones entertained while helping them connect with this important Bible story. So without further ado–

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Materials Needed

• Rice or dried beans (filler)
• Cotton balls (to represent sheep)
• Small toy figures (shepherd, other animals, or people) – we pulled out our trusty Lego person again
• Small container or bin for sensory play

How to Set Up and Play

Putting this sensory bin together is so simple—it took me less than five minutes to put together, and that was with my girls fussing at me at the same time. Here’s what to do:

1. Fill your bin with rice, dried beans, or whatever filler you’re using (we used dried beans, which are so fun to run your fingers through).
2. Add the sheep by scattering cotton balls around the bin.
3. Tuck in some toy figures—these can be a shepherd, other animals, or any little characters you have on hand.
4. Hide one “lost sheep” (a cotton ball) somewhere in the bin. You can bury it under the rice or beans to make it a little more challenging.

Now, invite your child to dig in and start searching!

While they play, you can tell the story of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7). Keep it simple and say something like:
“Once, there was a shepherd who had 100 sheep. One day, one little sheep wandered off and got lost. The shepherd loved that sheep so much that he left the 99 to go and find it. And when he found his lost sheep, he was so happy!”

Encourage your child to search for the “lost sheep” in the bin. When they find it, celebrate together—clap, cheer, or even do a little happy dance! It’s a sweet way to remind them that God is overjoyed when we come back to Him, and in my experience, your kids will get SO into it. My two-year-old was beside herself cheering for the found sheep, and my six-year-old was equally excited to get in on the action!

Faith Connection

While your child is digging through the bin and searching for that little lost sheep, it’s the perfect time to talk about the heart of this story. The Parable of the Lost Sheep reminds us that God loves each of us so much—so much that He will never give up on us, no matter what.

You can keep it simple and say something like:
“Just like you’re searching for the lost sheep in the rice, God searches for us when we’re lost. He loves us so much that He will always come find us and bring us back to Him.”

Here are a few more easy ways to tie in the faith lesson while they play:

• Have a storybook Bible out and open nearby. You don’t have to sit down to read formally from the Bible—having it out and referencing it during playtime makes a big impact.
• Remind your child that we are all like sheep, and Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
• Talk about how every person is important to God—He knows each of us by name!
• After they find the lost sheep, celebrate! You can say, “God is so happy when we come back to Him, just like you’re happy to find your sheep!”

Teaching kids about the Bible while they play is a low-pressure way to introduce big, important topics. Your kids don’t need to stop what they’re doing and sit quietly to listen to a lesson. These little moments during play can plant such big seeds of faith in our kids’ hearts!

Budget-Friendly Fun + Play Ideas

One of the best parts about this sensory bin is that it’s super affordable and uses things you probably already have at home. Rice, dried beans, cotton balls, and a few toy figures—you really don’t need anything fancy. It’s proof that simple can still be meaningful (and fun)!

If you want to switch things up or add a little variety, here are a few easy ideas:

• Swap the filler: Try oats, shredded paper, pom-poms, or even dry pasta.
• Mix up the sheep: Use different sizes of cotton balls or small white pom-poms for a “flock.” Of course, if you happen to have some toy sheep, you could use those too!
• Create a pasture: Add a little green felt or construction paper as grass for the sheep to “graze.”
• Hide more sheep: Turn it into a bigger search-and-find game by hiding several sheep instead of just one. We did this and my two-year-old was absolutely giddy.

More Sensory Play Ideas

If you liked this lost sheep sensory bin, you’re going to LOVE this Noah’s Ark sensory bin we created, too!

And for more easy sensory play ideas, be sure to check out this post about how to make dyed rice, my best slime recipe for kids, and this homemade play dough recipe.

But wait – you can’t pour from an empty cup, mama!  If you’re feeling tired and stretched thin, I made something just for you.  Download my free 12-day free prayer guide for busy moms today!

Will you try this fun and easy lost sheep sensory bin with your kiddos?  I would LOVE to hear about it!  Comment below or message me on Instagram and tell me all about it!