Sensory play is one of the best ways to support a young child’s development. These activities stimulate the senses, build fine motor skills, and encourage creative thinking.
Sensory play is any activity that engages the five main senses: sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound. As children explore different materials in new ways, their curiosity and imagination grow.
The benefits go beyond physical development. Sensory experiences teach cause and effect and build problem-solving skills. In group settings, they also encourage turn-taking, sharing, and collaboration.
The Ideal Age for Sensory Play
Toddlerhood and the preschool years are the perfect time to introduce sensory play. Kids this age are curious and eager to explore new things, so they tend to dive right in.
Growing Awareness
As children get older, they become more aware of their surroundings and ready for more complex activities. This is a great time to give them new ways to use their senses while encouraging problem-solving, turn-taking, and teamwork.
Starting early also supports motor skills, language development, and cognitive growth, all of which set your child up for success later on.
Activities To Try
Sensory play lets toddlers and preschoolers explore their environment through hands-on experiences with materials like water, sand, and foam. It also promotes creativity, problem-solving, and language development. Here are ten favorites to get you started.
- Colors and Shapes Sensory Pad
This pad features four shapes (circle, square, rectangle, and triangle) in six vibrant colors. Fill it with water, gel, or shaving cream, then follow the 8 double-sided activity cards to build hand-eye coordination and fine motor strength. - Slimy Sand Mold & Play Creations
This kit comes with 15 oz. of pre-made sand and three scent packets: blue raspberry, orange, and cotton candy. Two impression rollers and three Bluey family molds let kids shape the sand or stretch it like slime. - Texture Sensory Toy Strips
These texture sensory toy strips are a great way for kids to feel different types of textures. It’s a simple way to build tactile awareness. - 16-Piece Sensory Mini Mats Set
These soft, skin-friendly mats offer a variety of textures for your child to explore. They’re lightweight and portable, and they can be washed by hand or in the machine. - Calming Sensory Shapes
These tactile discs are made with non-toxic, BPA-free materials and designed to encourage calm, focused play. They also help build fine motor skills. - Dinosaur Sensory Bin Sand Kit
Kids can pack, pull, and shape this moldable sand with the included construction playset. It holds its shape well, which makes it great for open-ended play. - Water Beads Sensory Toys Set
This 20-piece set has everything you need for a squishy, colorful play session. Place the box on a mat or tablecloth to keep cleanup easy, and keep a close eye on little ones, since the beads are a swallowing hazard. - Playfoam Naturals Sensory Set
Made with natural ingredients, this self-contained set is a creative, mess-free way to play. It never dries out, so it’s always ready to go. - Sensory Liquid Floor Tiles
These non-toxic tiles let kids press, squish, and watch the liquid move beneath their hands. It’s a fun way to build cognitive skills while keeping their imaginations busy. - Sensory Crinkle Tissue Box
Inspired by toddlers’ love of paper products, this box encourages filling and emptying with crinkly sounds and pull-along scarves. It supports both motor and cognitive skills.
Safety Considerations for Sensory Play
Safety comes first with sensory play. A few tips for keeping things safe:
- Supervise young children at all times, especially with materials that could be hazardous.
- Choose non-toxic materials, such as food items or natural elements like sand and water.
- Check store-bought toys for small parts that could pose a choking hazard.
- Watch for sharp furniture edges and corners.
- Make sure all play surfaces are clean before you start.
- Leave enough room for kids to move around without bumping into one another, especially in groups.
Paints and Glues: These can contain chemicals that irritate skin and eyes, so read labels carefully and use protective gear when needed.
Start Exploring
With a little creativity, sensory play can easily become part of your child’s daily routine. Whether it’s sandpaper, water, or a box of crinkly tissue, these activities build motor skills, language, and problem-solving while giving kids room to explore. Try one today and see how much your toddler or preschooler enjoys it!
