As the owner of Little Lyves and a mom to a sensory-seeking child, I know how important it is to create a supportive and stimulating environment. Sensory play has been such a valuable tool in our home, helping my daughter regulate her emotions and engage her senses. Today, I want to share five sensory play ideas that have worked wonders for us, and I hope they’ll be just as helpful for you.
1. Sensory Bins with Nature Elements
One of our favorite activities is creating sensory bins filled with natural materials like pinecones, leaves, sticks, and smooth stones. Adding a bit of water makes it even more engaging. Since my daughter is more tactile avoidant, we focus on textures that she finds comfortable yet stimulating. This activity is especially calming and helps her feel connected to the outdoors, even when we’re inside.
What You’ll Need:
- A large bin or tray
- Pinecones, leaves, sticks, smooth stones
- Optional: water, small animal figurines, or other nature-inspired items
2. DIY Slime with Calming Scents
Making slime is a huge hit in our house, and adding calming scents takes it to the next level. I like to use essential oils like lavender or chamomile to create a relaxing atmosphere while my daughter stretches, squishes, and molds the slime. Since she’s more auditory avoidant, we keep the environment quiet and peaceful during this activity, allowing her to focus on the soothing textures and scents.
What You’ll Need:
- Slime ingredients (glue, baking soda, contact solution, etc.)
- Essential oils (lavender, chamomile, or your child’s favorite scent)
- Food coloring or glitter for added fun
3. Rice and Bean Sensory Play
Instead of water beads, we love using dried rice and beans for sensory play. You can dye the rice in different colors and mix it with various types of beans for a rich sensory experience. We pour them into a large container and use scoops, spoons, and small cups to play. The different textures and subtle sounds make it a fun and engaging activity that’s both safe and easy to clean up. It’s also great for sensory seekers who might prefer a more controlled tactile experience.
What You’ll Need:
- Dried rice (can be dyed with food coloring)
- Dried beans (variety of types)
- Large container
- Scoops, spoons, and small cups
4. Sound Exploration with Homemade Instruments
For children who are auditory seekers, creating and playing homemade instruments can be a fun and engaging activity. We use items like empty containers, rubber bands, or rice-filled bottles to create simple instruments. If your child is more auditory avoidant, like mine, you can modify this by using quieter, softer sounds or focusing on the vibrations rather than the noise itself.
What You’ll Need:
- Empty containers (plastic or metal)
- Rubber bands, rice, beans, or beads
- Tape or glue to secure materials
5. Calming Sensory Path
Creating a sensory path with different textures and surfaces has been a great way for my daughter to get proprioceptive input. Since she’s more tactile avoidant, we choose materials that are soft and comforting. We use items like foam mats, bubble wrap, soft blankets, and textured rugs to create a path she can walk on. It’s such a fun and calming experience, and it helps her become more aware of her body in space.
What You’ll Need:
- Foam mats
- Bubble wrap
- Soft blankets or textured rugs
- Any other textured materials you have on hand
Final Thoughts
Sensory play has been such a powerful tool for us, offering both fun and therapeutic benefits. These activities can be easily adapted to suit your child’s unique sensory needs, helping them explore the world in a way that feels safe and enjoyable. At Little Lyves, I’m committed to providing resources and ideas to support your child’s sensory journey. I hope you’ll try out these ideas and find the ones that work best for your family!
Smiles and love, Brie
