Sensory play is one of my favourite types of activities for young children. These sensory play ideas are perfect for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Some of these ideas are perfect for all year around and some of them are seasonal. I love Seasonal activities for kids as well as sensory play so it’s great to be able to combine the two.
Sensory play ideas
These ideas are a mixture of sensory bins, tuff trays and other sensory activities. These are fantastic for toddlers and preschoolers.
Create this adorable mermaid playdough tray. Perfect for any little mermaid fans.
This rain sensory bin is fantastic for teaching young children about the rain as well as the usual sensory bin fun. There are textures, sounds and colours to explore in this fun sensory tray.
Celebrate spring with 5 different (but using the same green rice base) spring sensory bins. These are simple to set up and will keep your little one entertained all through spring.
Learn about forests and woodlands with this fun forest sensory bin. It includes lots of natural materials to explore.
Teach your kids about the importance of bees with this fun bee pollination sensory bin
This is a really simple to set up rice sensory bin. It's perfect if your child loves scooping and pouring.
This is another nature filled sensory bin but this time it's specifically for Easter. How cute are the pebble eggs?
This is a mess free sensory bag for babies. It's perfect for easter time and uses hair gel as a base.
Another rice sensory bin but this time filled with colours. This is perfect for introducing colours to young children.
Spagheti is another low cost sensory bin filler and it's so easy to colour. Find out here and see how much fun this coloured spaghetti sensory bin is too.
Halloween is a great time for sensory play. This post is filled with different ideas for Halloween themed sensory activities.
If you have a young baby, it's never too early to introduce sensory toys. There are so many to choose from too.
Find lots of different play dough ideas for fall or autumn
This post shares details of how to set up this mess free winter sensory tray. It will give you ideas for things that you have at home to use.
Winter is a great time for indoor fun. This post has lots of ideas for different winter sensory bins
This Halloween sensory bin uses rice as a base. It's great for fine motor skills this Halloween.
Perfect for fall or autumn, this playdough pumpkin activity is fantastic seasonal sensory activity.
This is a great sensory play activity using play dough to create bugs!
This sensory bin uses natural materials and butterfly life cycle toys so that children learn through play.
This is a super fun play dough activity to let your little one make spiders! Perfect for Halloween or as part of bug themed preschool theme.
Benefits of sensory play
There are loads of benefits of sensory play including:
Supports cognitive development – Children learn early problem-solving such as cause and effect. They also learn about weight, size and volume.
Enhances language skills – this is especially true if you talk to your child about what they are experiencing. As they get older, they can tell you what they are experiencing. Sensory play is great for learning describing words like rough, squishy or slimy.
Helps manage emotions – sensory play can have a calming effect on kids. Repetitive movements can reduce anxiety or overstimulation.
Develops fine motor skills which builds hand strength and co-ordination in preparation for writing. Sensory play offers lots of opportunities for pinching, grasping, threading and cutting.
Sparks creativity and imaginative play – open-ended play like sensory bins allow children to start to develop their imaginations.
Sensory bins can also help children to develop their focus and attention span.
Where to next?
How about finding some new Fun outdoor activities for children of all ages
