Inside: A great big list of fun sensory play ideas suitable for kids of all ages.
What is sensory play?
Sensory play is any playful activity that engages one or more of the five senses – sight, touch, taste, smell and hearing.
What are the benefits of sensory play?
Sensory play is important to brain development as research shows that engaging in experiences that stimulate the senses develops nerve connections within the brain (read more about sensory play and brain development here). Depending on the type of activity and the frequency of play, it can also support the development of thinking and reasoning skills, scientific and mathematical understanding, fine and gross motor skills, language and social skills. And sensory can also act as an important stress reliever for children of all ages.
There are sensory play ideas suitable for children of all ages.For babies and toddlers who are still mouthing objects, stick with taste safe options that are not choking hazards. You might try coloured water in a bin, or custard, a little cold cooked spaghetti, or playing with jelly (jello) for something fun. You can see more specific baby and toddler suggestions below.Once children are past the stage of mouthing objects, you can try all manner of different sensory play bases – just be mindful that supervision and some consistent expectations and guidelines about how and where the materials can be used are important.
For toddlers and preschoolers, sensory bins are about feeling the textures and manipulating the materials with their hands and simple tools (tongs, spoons, cups, etc). Preschoolers and kindergarteners will enjoy the addition of small toys, such as figurines and vehicles, to add an imaginary/pretend play element to their sensory explorations.
Even school aged children can enjoy sensory play – think of how the slime craze has taken over the world! And sensory play can provide a wonderful form of stress release for children right through to the tween/teen years (who am I kidding, even adults can enjoy running their fingers through sand or pebbles!).
Sensory Play Ideas
31 Days of Sensory Play Ideas: With this full month’s worth of sensory play ideas, keep kids active, engaged and creative every single day.
55 Super Sensory Bins: Did you know that a sensory bin is a fabulous, hands-on resource for children to learn and explore with? This great big list of sensory bins options invites children to use their all of their five senses in fun ways.
15+ Super Sensory Play Bottles: Sensory bottles are fascinating to kids and great for adults (thanks to the lack of mess!), inviting little ones to use their eyes, ears and nose to explore.
20+ Super Sensory Play Ideas: Just when you thought you’d never find any fresh, new sensory play ideas, this list of over 20 options provide hours of guaranteed fun!
A GIANT Play Activities List for Exploring the Five Senses: Does your child know how to use all five of their senses? These life-sized play activities can help!
5 Games To Develop the Sense of Touch: Learning is always better more fun when there are games involved!
Five Senses Scavenger Hunt {Printable}: Get kids outside exploring with this super unique scavenger hunt that engages all five of the senses.
21 Fabulously Fun Sensory Play Ideas for Valentine’s Day: Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with these fun sensory play ideas. Your child is certain to love them!
Super Sensory Sludge – Picklebums: You call it slime…the kids call it sludge.. regardless of what it’s “proper” name is, it’s SUPER fun to feel, stretch, and mould.
Fall Sensory Play with Maple Pumpkin Playdough: This pumpkin playdough is perfect for fall.
21 Christmas Sensory Bins: Explore the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the holidays with this fun collection of Christmas themed sensory bins.
12 Days of Christmas Sensory Play: The 12 days of Christmas with a twist! This one includes 12 days of Christmas sensory play ideas.
Toys That Help Develop Sensory Awareness
Our Pick of the Top 25 Baby Sensory Toys: It’s never too early to start working on the senses. These top baby sensory toys are the perfect addition to any home with little ones.
Best Sensory Toys for Kids of All Ages: Invite sensory play with preschoolers through to school aged children with this great big list of sensory toys for kids.
Ideas Just for Babies
Exploring Sound Sensory Treasure Basket: Shake, jiggle and giggle with this fun basket of sensory objects to explore.
Exploring Shiny Materials Sensory Treasure Basket: Catch the eye of your little one with this shiny basket of fun!
Treasure Baskets & Discovery Boxes for Babies (and Bigger Kids)
Baby Sensory Play: Starting Out with Water Play: Babies love water. And as long as you’re there with them helping them to be safe, water is a great way for them to use their senses.
Slime Recipes! Sensory Play for School Aged Kids
Easy Fluffy Slime Recipe: This slime is super fluffy and squishy and not sticky at all. Thing of it like “cloud” slime!
Floam Slime Recipe: Super sensory and so stretchy, a great sensory slime to make for home play and use.
Ocean Slime Recipe: Give your child the feel of the ocean with this ocean slime recipe.
Fun, Frosty Snow Slime Recipe: This is a great wintertime slime recipe that is different than all the rest.
How to Make Crunchy Slime: Slime that crackles and pops! This recipe proves that slime can be both crunchy and colorful.
Purple Monster Floam for Halloween: Get your child excited for Halloween with this purple monster floam. Makes a great Halloween party favor too.
More Great Activities to Develop Sensory Awareness
12 Sensory Playdough Recipes and Fun Ideas for Play: 12 great playdough recipes, each with a fun sensory twist.
21 Ways to Play with Silly Putty: 21 engaging activities to strengthen fingers and hands with silly putty.
15 Ways to Have Fun with Mud: Get messy and muddy with these muddy, sensory ideas.
12 Simple Recipes for Cooking with Kids: Cooking engages all of the senses and these 12 recipes are fun for cooking with kids.
Active Learning Through Messy Play: Messy play is one of the best activities for sensory development! Here’s why.
Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
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