As your child grows and goes through various development stages, they need activities to boost their learning and senses. Sensory activities provide that for them. Sensory play can hone motor skills, keep your child calm and encourage creative thoughts.  

Sensory play involves all of the senses — touch, smell, taste, sound and sight. It also engages the body with things like movement and balance. Children use sensory activities to help them perceive the world in new ways and learn best when they can use their senses. 

Engaging the senses is crucial for brain development because it helps build connections between the nerves that lead to the brain. Starting sensory play at a young age is most beneficial for children.  

Here are 10 incredible sensory activities for you to try with your kids!

1. Oobleck 

Oobleck is a classic sensory item, and you can make it from scratch right at home. The substance, which is gooey, sticky and even solid at times, will capture your little one’s attention in no time.  

The word itself is fun to say and hear, and the substance is fun to play with. Water, cornstarch and food coloring are the only ingredients involved. Once mixed, your child can play with it and notice how it changes states from solid-like to liquid. They can roll it into a ball and then let it slip through their fingers!

2. Treasure Box 

Have you ever opened a package and it had the crinkle paper inside? It’s similar to the paper Easter grass that you may put in your child’s Easter basket. The crinkled aspect provides a new texture for your child.  

Fill up an empty cardboard box with the crinkle paper and hide plastic coins and other little treasures inside. The treasure box will entice your kid to dig through and find all of the coins, and it’s something you can use over and over.

3. Scented Sensory Rice  

Engaging the nose in sensory play can be a new experience for your child, especially if you use a scent they’ve never smelled before. Different scents, like lavender, can be calming, so if your child needs a way to calm down, this is perfect for them!  

Make a big batch of sensory rice that they can use all year. When your kids play with it, they can use toys like small shovels or construction toys to scoop it and dump it. While they’re playing, they’ll be able to smell whatever scent you put in it.

4. I Spy Colors 

This is an easy sensory activity that you and your children can play almost anywhere. Whether you’re driving, waiting for an appointment at the doctor’s office or just sitting at home, ask your child to find objects of a specific color. 

Pick any color and have your child name the things of that color. If you’re home, gather toys to put on the floor and have your child sort them as you play I Spy.

5. Listening to Instruments 

Sensory play involves all of the senses, which includes hearing! Stream music that uses a variety of musical instruments, like drums, trumpets, guitars and pianos. As your child listens, ask them to name the instruments or count how many various instruments they hear.  

Since it’s close to St. Patrick’s Day, listen to bagpipes! Your child will love the unique sound of the bagpipe, and you can teach them about the holiday as well.

6. Sour, Sweet, Savory, Spicy, Salty 

If your little one is like most other kids, they love to put anything they touch in their mouth. A great sensory activity for kids who can eat solids is to introduce them to different flavors.  

Gather foods of all tastes, like lemons, candy, vegetables, spicy snacks and salty chips. Allow them to explain the taste of the foods and watch their facial expressions as they use their tongue to experience flavors!

7. Texture Cubes 

Texture cubes are great for babies. You can use any recycled material to create these. Get a small cardboard box or a toy cube and glue different materials to each side.  

Each time your child moves to a new side, there’s a new texture to feel. This is a great sensory activity for tummy time, too.

8. Plant a Flower 

Spring is almost here, which means it’s the perfect time to plant a flower as a sensory activity. Between the dirt, water, bright color of the flower and motor skills, your child will be exposed to so many sensory activities. 

If you start your flower from seed, your child will have a continued sensory activity. They can check on it daily and watch it grow.

9. Rainbow Loom Bottle 

Have a plastic water bottle hanging around? Grab an empty water bottle, clean it out and remove the label. Fill the water bottle with water and colorful rubber bands, beads or any other small material of multiple colors. 

Hot glue the cap onto the bottle and watch your child entertain themselves with the bottle. The water and colorful materials will calm them, and they’ll be fascinated by the moving colors.

10. Hot Chocolate Cloud Dough 

Since winter is almost over, you might have some leftover hot chocolate mix sitting around. Instead of letting it go to waste, make hot chocolate cloud dough! All you need is hot chocolate mix, vegetable oil and flour to make this concoction. 

While it’s not advised to consume it, it won’t harm your child if they take a small taste. It’s squishy and soft and has the great scent of hot cocoa.

Engage the Senses 

As your child grows and develops, their senses will expand, too. Creating sensory activities for them will keep them entertained and will help with their brain growth and perception. Engage all of the senses with these fun activities for your kids!