Sensory activities are an excellent way to promote sensory integration, improve motor skills, and encourage creativity and exploration in children. They can be simple yet effective, and you can do them right in the comfort of your own home. Here are five easy sensory activities you can try with your child:
- Sensory Bins: Sensory bins are a fun and engaging way to stimulate the senses. Fill a plastic bin with materials like rice, beans, or sand, and add in small toys or objects for your child to find and explore. You can also include tools like scoops and funnels to enhance the experience. This activity can help your child learn to regulate their sensory input and encourage tactile exploration.
- Messy Play: Messy play can be a great way to engage your child’s sense of touch and promote sensory exploration. Try activities like finger painting, playdough, or even making slime with your child. Be sure to provide smocks or old clothes and a designated area for messy play. This activity helps your child learn to tolerate messy textures and can be a great stress-reliever for both children and adults.
- Sensory Bottles: Sensory bottles are a simple yet mesmerizing sensory activity that can help soothe and calm your child. Fill a plastic bottle with water and add in objects like glitter, beads, or small toys. Your child can shake the bottle and watch the objects move around, providing a calming visual experience. This activity can be a great tool for helping children learn to self-regulate and can be used as a mindfulness tool.
- Texture Scavenger Hunt: This activity involves going on a scavenger hunt around your home and finding items with different textures. You can create a list of textures to find, like smooth, bumpy, rough, or soft, and have your child search for items that fit each description. This activity helps your child learn to identify different textures and promotes sensory exploration. You can also modify this activity by creating a “feely box” where your child reaches into a box and tries to identify what they’re feeling.
- Sensory Walk: A sensory walk is a fun way to engage your child’s sense of touch and balance. Create a path using different textures like pillows, foam mats, or textured rugs, and have your child walk along the path. You can also add in challenges like hopping or balancing on one foot to make it more fun and engaging. This activity helps your child learn to integrate sensory input and can be a great tool for improving balance and coordination.
These five simple sensory activities can be done with materials you likely have at home and are a great way to promote sensory integration and exploration in your child. Try them out and see which ones your child enjoys the most! Remember, the key is to have fun and let your child explore and discover at their own pace.
If you want to learn more about sensory processing difference, check out this blog and download our free e-book.
