age group: 3-5 y/o

theme: Recycling and Caring for the Environment

learning outcomes: EYLF Outcome 2 – Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment.

story description:
The Three Magic Bins is a story about three friends: Bob the Bear, Bella the Bunny, and Cindy the Cat, who go on a picnic together in the park. After enjoying their food, they discover that they have rubbish to clean up. Three magic bins introduce their special power to Bob, Bella, and Cindy.

Through the bins’ guidance, the friends learn how to sort their picnic waste into the correct bins. They discover that recyclable materials belong in the yellow bin, general rubbish goes into the red bin, and food scraps can go into the green bin. By working together, the three friends help keep their picnic area clean and learn how small actions can make a big difference to the environment.

educational value:
Environmental awareness: Introduces children to recycling, waste separation and caring for the natural environment.

Sorting and classification: Encourages children to identify different types of waste and categorise them to the appropriate bin.

Problem-solving: Encourages children to think critically about where different rubbish items belong.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: Have you ever seen colourful bins?

Once upon a time, there were three little friends: Bob the Bear, Bella the Bunny, and Cindy the Cat. One beautiful sunny morning, they decided to have a picnic in the park.

They spread out their picnic blanket and enjoyed their delicious food. But oh dear!! When they finished eating, they did not know which bin to throw their rubbish in.

Suddenly, three colourful bins appeared in front of them.

One was YELLOW.

One was RED.

And one was GREEN.

The Yellow Magic Bin takes things that can be made into brand new things.

And the Green Magic Bin loves food scraps that can turn into compost.

Whilst the Red Magic Bin takes rubbish that cannot be recycled or composted.

Would you like to help Bob, Bella, and Cindy to give the exact rubbish to the exact bin?

“I drank my juice! Where should I put my bottle? Red, Yellow, or Green?” Bob held up an empty juice bottle and asked: “Does this belong here?”

“Yes!” said the Yellow Magic Bin. “ I can turn bottles, cans and paper into something NEW!”

Bob carefully placed the bottle inside.

“I ate my banana, but I do not want to throw the peel on the ground” Asked Bella the Bunny. “Which bin will help me?”

“Yum! I love banana peels!” The Green Magic Bin shouted with excitement. “I will make compost to feed the garden? Food scraps can help make healthy soil for plants to grow!”

“Thank you!” Bella placed it inside the green bin.

“Oh no! I ate all the chips, but I don’t know where my packet went…” Cindy the Cat asked: “Where does my packet go?”

“I will take it.” Said the Red Magic Bin. “I keep the tricky thing safe until we find better ways to use them.”

Cindy dropped the chip packet inside the red bin.

When all the rubbish was sorted, the park looked beautiful again. There was no rubbish on the grass. The flowers danced in the breeze, and the birds sang happily.

“Remember, little friends: Every small action makes a big difference!”

To extend the activity

Provide children with three coloured bins or boxes (yellow, red and green) and a collection of clean waste items or picture cards. Invite children to identify each item and place it into the correct bin. Encourage them to explain their choices.