Have a Blast With These Sensory Activities
Ever watched a child giggle endlessly while spinning in circles? Or jump nonstop on a trampoline like a hyper kangaroo? These sensory activities aren’t just fun, they are also helping their brains process sensory information. Sensory integration is how our brains take in and organize all the sights, sounds, textures, and movements around us. When this system works well, we can focus, balance, and interact with the world smoothly. But for some children sensory processing can be a bit more difficult.
Body Awareness and Deep Pressure
Body awareness, or proprioception, helps us know where we are in space. These activities can be very calming and ground for some children.
- Jumping on a trampoline: Basically, a workout disguised as fun. Bonus: It tires children out (you’re welcome).
- Walk like Animals: Want to see your child scuttle like a crab or stomp like an elephant? Perfect. These strengthen muscles while making everyone giggle.
- Weighted blankets or compression clothing: Like a comforting hug without needing another person.
- Pushing and pulling games: Tug-of-war, carrying laundry baskets, or pushing a sibling in a wagon all provide great deep pressure input.
- Kid-ritto: Roll your child up in a blanket, tight like a burrito! Encourage them to wiggle themselves free.
Balance and Movement
The vestibular system is responsible for balance and movement. When it’s not working well, basic skills like standing still or walking in a straight line can be hard to do.
- Swinging in a hammock or playground swing: Some children love fast swinging, while others prefer a slow, gentle rock. Either way, it’s like nature’s version of a stress ball.
- Spinning in a chair or on a sit-and-spin toy: Yes, this might make you dizzy just watching, but it actually helps children regulate their balance.
- Walking the “balance beam”: Turn your living room into a DIY gymnastics floor. Line up some pillow, step stools, or sturdy boxes and walk the beam like the floor is lava!
- Rocking in a rocking chair or on a therapy ball: If you’ve ever absentmindedly rocked back and forth in a chair, congrats! You’ve been using sensory input to self-regulate.
Exploring Textures
Some children love touching everything, while others act like wet grass is lava. Touch-based sensory activities help children get comfortable with different textures.
- Sensory bins with beans, shredded paper, or sand: Bury small toys inside for a mini treasure hunt.
- Playdough, slime, or kinetic sand: It's like therapy for little hands—plus, it keeps them busy for a while!
- Brushing or gentle massage: Some children find this calming, others just squirm. Worth a try!
- Finger painting or playing with shaving cream: Yes, it’s messy. Yes, they’ll love it. Stock up on wipes.
Sound and Listening Games
Some children cover their ears with loud sounds; others seem to have their volume permanently set to high. These sensory activities help with sound sensitivity and focus.
- Listening to calming music or white noise: Great for bedtime or homework time by resetting and grounding the mind. There are even free apps available for kids!
- Using noise-canceling headphones: Perfect for crowded places or when aversive sounds are present (like that neighbor’s lawn mower).
- Playing musical instruments: Let them bang on a drum, shake a maraca, or tap a xylophone! If you don’t have musical instruments, get creative with items around the house.
Visual Discovery
Good visual processing helps with everything from reading and writing to learning and memory. It allows us to navigate the world around us and learn through observation.
- Mazes and puzzles: Great for focus, problem-solving, and feeling like a genius when they solve one.
- Playing with flashlights or glow-in-the-dark objects: Bonus points for turning off the lights and pretending you’re on a space mission.
- Coloring or drawing: A great fine motor workout disguised as a quiet-time activity.
- Sorting and matching games: Teach children organization while tricking them into thinking it’s fun.
Oral-Motor Exercise and Movement
Some children need extra oral input—whether it's chewing, sucking, or blowing on things. These activities help strengthen mouth muscles and regulate sensory needs.
- Blowing bubbles or using a straw: Builds mouth muscles and breath control. Plus, bubbles make everything better.
- Eating chewy or crunchy foods: Carrots, pretzels, or chewy fruit snacks provide sensory input (and an excuse for snack time).
- Sucking on a smoothie pouch or lollipop: Engages oral-motor coordination while keeping children occupied for at least 30 seconds.
- Using a vibrating toothbrush: Helps children who are sensitive to brushing get used to the sensation and stimulates all the oral muscles.
Sensory play isn’t just fun—it helps children develop important skills for everyday life. Whether your child craves movement or avoids certain textures, there’s an activity that can help. Plus, many of these are secretly great ways to burn energy (a win-win for everyone). So go ahead—jump, spin, squish, and play. And if your child ends up covered in shaving cream, just remember it’s all part of the process.
