Sensory Activities for Preschoolers

Engage your preschooler with exciting sensory activities that promote their development and provide endless opportunities for exploration. Here are 10 actionable, fun sensory experiences you can easily set up and enjoy with a child in your care.

1. Sensory bins

Create a captivating world by filling a large container with sand, rice, dried beans, or water beads. Add tools and toys, encouraging little ones to dig, discover, and be amazed.

2. Playdough play

Unleash their creativity with playdough, inviting them to squeeze, roll, and shape it. Enhance the experience by adding vibrant food colouring or enticing essential oils for an aromatic adventure.

3. Finger painting

Let their imagination soar as they dive into the world of finger painting. The vibrant colours and tactile sensations delight their senses while nourishing their artistic spirit.

4. Sensory walk

Turn your space into a sensory wonderland by setting up a walk with various textures like grass, sand, bubble wrap, or wiggly jelly. Encourage them to crawl or walk, igniting their sense of touch in an exciting, playful manner.

5. Water play

Create a soothing oasis of water play by filling a basin with toys, cups, or sponges. Adjust the temperature or add bubbles for an extra sensory treat that will captivate and relax their senses.

6. Music and sound exploration

Unleash the magic of music by creating a music corner with homemade or store-bought instruments. Foster their auditory senses as they shake, drum, or play an enchanting tune.

7. Nature exploration

Step into the great outdoors and let your preschooler experience the wonders of nature. Let them touch leaves, smell flowers, observe insects up close, or revel in the symphony of natural sounds all around them.

8. Scented sensory play

Transport their senses to a delightful world by incorporating scented materials like essential oils, herbs, or flowers into sensory play. From scented playdough to aromatic rice or water, create a variety of sensory bins that will captivate their imagination.

9. Light box play

Embark on a mesmerizing visual journey with a light box. Watch as colours, shapes, and shadows come to life, leaving your little one awe-inspired and engaged in a whole new realm of exploration.

10. Taste-safe sensory play

For younger preschoolers who explore the world through their mouths, create taste-safe sensory experiences. Edible playdough, cooked pasta, or cornstarch mixed with water provide stimulating sensations while ensuring their safety.

Sensory play is not only immensely enjoyable, but it also plays a crucial role in fostering a child's growth on many levels. By incorporating these simple, captivating sensory activities into daily routines, caregivers nurture cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, physical, and creative development in an enriching, meaningful way.

Activities like these are part of what you'll learn to plan in our Responsible Adult training.