Top 25 Sensory Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers - Education Corner (2024)

Sensory activities play a pivotal role in early childhood development, offering young learners a playful and immersive way to explore their environment, develop cognitive skills, and fine-tune their motor abilities.

These activities are not just about touching, smelling, hearing, seeing, and tasting; they’re about opening doorways to understanding and interaction with the world in a profound and meaningful way.

This roundup is a treasure trove of experiences that invite young children to dive hands-first into engaging, educational, and delightful sensory play.

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1. Moon Sand

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Moon Sand is a unique and moldable substance that combines the joy of sand play with a soft, silky texture. This sensory experience not only provides children with a delightful tactile exploration but also enhances their fine motor skills and creativity.

Learn more: One Little Project

2. Wacky Sacks Stress Balls

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Enter the world of relaxation with Wacky Sacks Stress Balls, the ultimate remedy for hectic days and anxious moments. These squeezable wonders are not your ordinary stress balls; they’re filled with a delightful mix of pliable materials that make for an irresistibly squishy and entertaining experience.

Learn more: Somewhat Simple

3. Kitchen Slip and Slide

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Introducing the Kitchen Slip and Slide, a culinary adventure that turns meal prep into a playful experience! This innovative concept transforms your kitchen into a vibrant, water-resistant haven for creativity and fun.

Learn more: Different by Design Learning

4. Fruit Loops Sensory Bin

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The varying shapes and hues of the cereal also stimulate visual and cognitive development. Whether sorting by color, creating patterns, or simply enjoying the satisfying crunch, the Fruit Loops Sensory Bin transforms learning into a tasty and multisensory adventure for preschoolers.

Learn more: Entertain your Toddler

5. Learning with Nerf Guns

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Incorporating Nerf guns into educational activities not only adds an element of fun but also promotes focus, strategic thinking, and teamwork. Math problems become target challenges, spelling quizzes transform into word-shooting contests, and history lessons become engaging quests.

Learn more: Different Design Learning

6. Gingerbread Cloud Dough

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This delightful activity combines the warm aroma of gingerbread with the soft, moldable texture of cloud dough.

Learn more: Sugar Spice and Glitter

7. Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin

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Warm up to a cozy and inviting learning experience with the Hot Chocolate Sensory Bin. This delightful sensory activity transforms a simple bin into a winter wonderland filled with cocoa-inspired exploration.

Learn more: Modern Home Stead Mama

8. Edible Finger Paint

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This sensory art activity introduces a palette of vibrant colors and flavors, turning the canvas into a delicious masterpiece. Made from edible and child-safe materials, this finger paint provides a unique and engaging sensory experience.

Learn more: The Savvy Sparrow

9. Fizzy Shapes Sensory Bin

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Introduce a fizz of excitement to learning with the Fizzy Shapes Sensory Bin: A captivating experience that combines tactile exploration with a touch of chemistry. In this multisensory activity, children discover an array of colorful shapes immersed in fizzy tablets.

Learn more: Happy Toddler Play Time

10. Birds Sensory Bin

Children can sift through birdseed, feel the different textures of feathers, and discover miniature bird figurines nestled among natural elements like twigs and leaves.

11. Oil and Water Sensory Bag

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The Oil and Water Sensory Bag serves as a soothing and captivating tool for relaxation, fostering a sense of calm. It’s an ideal activity for introducing concepts of density, color mixing, and cause and effect in a safe and contained environment.

Learn more: Everyday Chaos and Calm

12. How to Make Rainbow Spaghetti for Sensory Play

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Making rainbow spaghetti for sensory play is a fun and colorful activity that engages multiple senses. Remember to supervise children during sensory play, especially if they are at an age where putting objects in their mouths is common. Enjoy the creative and sensory-filled experience of rainbow spaghetti play!

Learn more: Messy Little Monsters

13. Dinosaur Sensory Bin


Create a prehistoric adventure with a Dinosaur Sensory Bin, engaging children in a world of tactile exploration and imaginative play.

14. Peppermint Christmas Play Dough

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Celebrate the festive season with a delightful and aromatic Peppermint Christmas Play Dough. This easy-to-make sensory activity combines the joy of creative play with the sweet and minty scent of peppermint.

Learn more: Emma Owl

15. Playdough Play

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Discover the magic of Playdough Play, a captivating preschool fine motor activity that combines creativity with skill development. Engaging in this hands-on experience, children mold and shape the pliable dough, refining their fine motor skills and enhancing hand-eye coordination.

Learn more: Mommy Baby Play

16. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

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Bring the magic of the Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin to your preschool, providing a sensory-rich and educational adventure that sparks curiosity and delights young minds.

Learn more: Fun with Mama

17. Giant Water Beads: Amazing Sensory Activity!

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Giant water beads offer an incredible sensory activity for children, providing a captivating and tactile experience. These super-absorbent polymer beads, when immersed in water, transform into large, squishy, and colorful spheres.

Learn more: Teaching Mama

18. No Cook Chocolate & Cherry Reindeer Play Dough

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Indulge in the festive spirit with No Cook Chocolate & Cherry Reindeer Play Dough, a delightful sensory activity that combines the joy of play with the scents of the season.

Learn more: Emma Owl

19. Star Box Sensory Play

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This captivating activity transforms a simple box into a celestial wonderland, filled with the magic of stars. The Star Box Sensory Play not only provides a visual and tactile feast but also offers a calming and immersive experience.

Learn more: Where Imagination Grows

20. Colored Kinetic Sand Recipe

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This simple DIY recipe transforms ordinary sand into a vibrant, moldable masterpiece, providing an engaging and hands-on experience for little hands.

Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands

21. Easy Cloud Slime Recipe

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This simple DIY recipe transforms basic ingredients into a soft and stretchy cloud-like slime, capturing the imagination of young learners.

Learn more: Little Bins for Little Hands

22. Sensory Box for Kids

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This hands-on experience invites young learners to explore a curated box filled with a variety of textures, shapes, and objects, fostering sensory awareness and tactile development.

Learn more: Hands on as we grow

23. Rainbow Soap Foam Sensory Play

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This easy-to-make foam transforms ordinary bath time into a magical and educational experience. By blending dish soap, water, and food coloring, this activity creates a soft, fluffy foam with a rainbow of hues.

Learn more: Active Littles

23. Ice Painting Bin for Preschoolers

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This innovative approach to painting introduces an element of surprise and sensory delight, offering a memorable and educational experience for preschoolers.

Learn more: Modern Preschool

24. DIY Quiet Blocks

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DIY Quiet Blocks provide a peaceful and educational playtime that nurtures both creativity and concentration in a soothing atmosphere. Encourage young builders to explore the world of silence and construction with these custom-made blocks, promoting calm, focused, and imaginative play.

Learn more: I can teach my child

25. Pompom Push

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Encourage preschoolers to embark on this simple yet effective journey, turning playtime into a purposeful and skill-enhancing adventure that promotes coordination and concentration.

Learn more: Busy Toddler

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Top 25 Sensory Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers - Education Corner (2024)

FAQs

Top 25 Sensory Activities for Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers - Education Corner? ›

Sensory play also helps babies to learn more about the world around them and supports language development as they learn to respond to different stimuli. Babies can enjoy simple sensory play such as touching different objects and surfaces and hearing how different materials create varied sounds.

What is sensory play for toddlers and babies? ›

Sensory play also helps babies to learn more about the world around them and supports language development as they learn to respond to different stimuli. Babies can enjoy simple sensory play such as touching different objects and surfaces and hearing how different materials create varied sounds.

What age is appropriate for sensory play? ›

From birth, children are ready for sensory play. Children are natural explorers – they're constantly learning and taking in what's around them. Sensory activities can be adapted for different ages, needs and abilities.

What are some sensory strategies for a 2 year old? ›

Some strategies to consider are:

Fill a beach ball with air and water to make a weighted ball for playing catch. Play a game where your child is carrying buckets with sand, rice, beans or water. Play 'tug-of-war' with a blanket or toy. Jump on a trampoline.

When should I start sensory activities with my baby? ›

There is no definitive answer to this question as each child develops at their own pace and will be ready for sensory play when they are able to engage with their senses in a way that is enjoyable for them.

What are some examples of sensory play? ›

Playing with messy sensory materials helps children develop a curious and natural sense of exploration. Finding dinosaurs in taste-safe mud, a fizzy cloud dough experiment, and balloon painting are excellent examples of messy sensory play activities. Edible sensory play activities promote a multi-sensory experience.

What is an example of sensory play observation for toddlers? ›

Sensory play for toddlers – observing light and shadow created by torch light on objects of different shapes or sizes, or watching the colours mix and the patterns form by finger painting or sponge painting (with child-safe paint)

What are the 5 sensory play? ›

In this article, we'll give you some ideas to help early learners explore their sense of touch, sight, smell, sound and taste. While of course we know there are more than five senses, these are the easiest ones to set up inside a classroom. So we'll keep things simple and stick with those.

What are 3 physical activities for infants? ›

Being active as an infant means lifting the head, kicking, and reaching during tummy time; reaching for or grasping toys or other objects; playing and rolling on the floor; and, crawling around the environment.

What is sensory play activities? ›

What is sensory play? Sensory play is a type of play that activates and stimulates a child's senses. Often, sensory play focuses on stimulating touch, sight, and hearing as those senses are most accessible.

What is messy play for 2 year olds? ›

Non-toxic, taste-safe paint can also be used to create great sensory play for year olds activities. Children can paint with their fingers on paper or cardboard boxes. Or, you can water down your paints, mix them with water, and pour them into mini-trigger spray bottles that are easy for kids to use.

How do you calm an overstimulated 2 year old? ›

Reduce the noise and activity around your child. For example, turn off the TV or radio and take your child to their bedroom. Or stay with your child if they need to be close to you to calm down. Help your child put into words the feelings that they're expressing through behaviour.

What is messy play for 3 year olds? ›

Messy play includes hands-on activities that encourage exploratory play in the nursery. Anything can be used to facilitate messy play activities in EYFS: paint, water, sand, shaving cream, jelly, mud, soil and more. Messy play offers many benefits for child development – it's also really fun!

Is messy play good for babies? ›

Messy play builds foundational skills that are crucial for children's later development. It is one of the most important kinds of early learning experiences we can offer to infants and toddlers.

What are some food play ideas for babies? ›

Edible Sensory Play Activities
  • Coloured Spaghetti. Start by cooking your spaghetti as normal. ...
  • Moonsand. To create your own batch of moonsand, mix 8 cups of flour to 1 cup of oil. ...
  • Jelly. Wibbly wobbly jelly – a favourite for babies! ...
  • Chocolate Cake. Cake smash! ...
  • Edible Paint. ...
  • Custard. ...
  • Juicing Fruit.
Sep 14, 2018

What are some self concept activities for infants? ›

Place a mirror where your child can see their reflection and help them discover their appearance. Share with your child pictures of them with other family members to help them recognize themselves in relation to other members of the family. Show your child how their actions can impact others or their surroundings.

How does sensory play help babies? ›

By engaging the senses, your child will learn how to describe what they're doing and how it feels; It helps with cognitive growth. As sensory play develops to hands-on activities, it also plays an important role in helping children build cognitive skills involved in problem solving and abstract thinking.

What does sensory mean for toddlers? ›

Sensory issues are problems related to processing information from the senses, like sight and sound. Kids with sensory issues often get overwhelmed by things like light and noise and might act out or throw tantrums as a result.

How do you do sensory play with a baby? ›

It is how they gain knowledge of themselves and learn about the world”. When your baby is alert and you're ready to play, sensory activities that you can do at home include cuddling, reading stories, listening to music, and exploring interesting shapes, colourful objects and toys.

What do sensory shows do for babies? ›

Enhance visual and auditory stimulation: Black and white animations, vibrant colors, and soothing music can stimulate your baby's developing vision and hearing. Promote eye coordination and focus: Sensory videos that feature moving objects can help your baby to develop their eye coordination and focus.

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