Coin Wash Sensory DIY: The Best Summer Bin For Toddlers

If your toddler is obsessed with water play, bubbles, and shiny treasures—this coin wash sensory bin is going to be your summer hit. ✨ It’s quick to set up, cleans your coins , and gives your little one a fine motor workout while they stay busy for 30+ minutes. And yes, I got my coins clean for another craft, so: one activity, two wins. 💁‍♀️

Table Of Contents

What You Need (You’ve Got Most of It at Home)
How to Set Up This Coin Wash Activity
Why Coin Wash Sensory Play is Gold for Toddlers
What Happened When We Played Coin Wash🫧
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FAQs
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What You Need (You’ve Got Most of It at Home)

A tray or bin (or both for clean & dirty sections)
Gentle baby shampoo or dish soap
Old toothbrush I stole his dads lol.
Soft cotton cloth or rag
Coins
Optional: magnifying glass, towel, and tongs

You can even add a second bin for clean rinse water and create a full coin cleaning station.

How to Set Up This Coin Wash Activity

Fill your tray or bin with warm soapy water (just a few drops of baby soap is enough).
Add your coins—spread them out so they’re easy to grab. I disinfected them before the wash.
Give your toddler a soft cloth and/or an old toothbrush to clean with.
Set a second tray nearby with clean water to rinse the shiny treasures.
Watch the magic unfold. Or do the dishes nearby.

Why Coin Wash Sensory Play is Gold for Toddlers

✅ It’s non-waste: You’re cleaning coins you’ll use anyway.
✅ Sensory fun: Water, bubbles.
✅ Fine motor skills: Grabbing, brushing, sorting—perfect for little hands.
✅ Educational: Learn about money, sorting, and cleaning.
✅ Calming and fun: My son was laser-focused scrubbing those coins.

This activity totally surprised me with how long it held his attention.

What Happened When We Played Coin Wash🫧

My toddler loved soaping up the coins, then putting them into the clean water tray… only to put them back into the soapy water. 😂 Over and over again. We tried brushing them and sorting them. It was pretty funny.

I needed the coins clean for another project (win!), and he loved the play. And you know I hate that sensory play is often so wasteful. This one is no waste and no fancy prep.

We used a cotton cloth and an old toothbrush, and it went surprisingly smooth.

You could also:

Add a sorting challenge: “Find all the pennies!” or “Put all the big ones in the rinse tray.”
Make it smell fun: Add a drop of lavender or citrus essential oil (if your kiddo’s old enough some essential oils are unhealthy for toddlers).
Let them count how many coins they cleaned. Great for sneaky math!

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FAQs

What is a good sensory bin idea for summer?

This coin wash sensory bin is mess-free, water-based, and perfect for warm days—plus it’s reusable.

How do I clean money safely for toddlers?

Use warm soapy water, and avoid bleach or harsh cleaners. Supervise closely and keep coins out of mouths.

What’s the best way to clean pennies?

Soapy water and gentle scrubbing works great for everyday play. For super grimy coins, a mix of vinegar and salt can do wonders (but skip it if your toddler’s involved—it’s better for adults).