Please enjoy this guest post from Andrea Gibbs, who is associated with Kemit Academy in Chicago, IL.

Sensory activities involve engaging children’s senses—touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell—through playful exploration. Think of activities like playing with textured toys, splashing in water, or listening to different sounds. These experiences are not just fun; they’re essential for brain development. They help kids learn about their surroundings and develop problem-solving, coordination, and social interaction skills.

Sensory Activities for Home

Here are some sensory activities you can easily set up at home to keep your kids engaged and help in their development:

1.Sensory Bins

Materials Needed: Plastic bin, fillers (e.g., rice, beans, water beads), scoops, small toys

Instruction: Fill containers with materials like rice, beans, or colorful water beads for children to touch, scoop, pour, and sort, encouraging tactile exploration and sensory development.

2. Homemade Playdough

Recipe and Ingredients: Flour, salt, water, food coloring, oil

Instruction: Make and mold homemade playdough to enhance hand strength and spark creativity. Children can squish, roll, and shape the dough, refining their fine motor skills while having fun.

3. Water Play

Materials Needed: Water, plastic basins, cups, spoons

Instruction: Use tubs or sinks filled with water and provide various containers for pouring, measuring, and splashing. This activity helps develop coordination and understanding basic scientific concepts like volume and buoyancy.

4. Bubble Wrap Stomp

Materials Needed: Sheets of bubble wrap

Instruction: Lay out sheets of bubble wrap for children to pop with their feet, creating an exciting way to practice gross motor skills and enhance sensory processing through the popping sounds and textures.

Sensory Activities for Classroom

Here are some sensory activities that can engage students and promote learning in the classroom:

1. Sand Table

Materials Needed: Sand, table or bin, scoops, and small toys

Instruction: Use a table filled with sand for digging, pouring, and tactile exploration. Children can use scoops and small toys to create various forms and structures, fostering imagination and coordination.   

2. Sensory Gardens

Materials Needed: Planters, soil, various plants (e.g., basil, mint, lavender)

Description: Plant a garden with aromatic herbs and different textured plants for sensory exploration. Students can touch, smell, and observe various plants, enhancing their sensory experiences and connection to nature.   

3. Light Table

Materials Needed: Light table, translucent objects (e.g., blocks, letters)

Instruction: Utilize a light table with translucent shapes for visual and tactile stimulation. Students can explore colors, patterns, and shapes by arranging the translucent objects on the illuminated surface.   

4. Feely Box

Materials Needed: Box with a hole, various textured objects (e.g., sponges, toys)

Instruction: A box with a hole to reach inside and feel objects, guessing what they are. This activity encourages children to use their sense of touch to identify and describe objects hidden inside the box.

Tips for Facilitating Sensory Activities

1. Ensure a safe and supervised environment.

2. Allow children to explore at their own pace.

3. Engage multiple senses when possible.

4. Observe children and modify activities based on their responses.

Incorporating sensory play is vital for a child’s development, enhancing their cognitive and motor skills. Embrace sensory activities in home and classroom environments to create rich learning experiences and foster holistic growth.

Author Bio
Andrea Gibbs, a lifelong New Yorker, balances the demands of being a work-from-home mom with her expertise in business development, strategy, and social media marketing. Andrea contributes to the Kemit Academy blog in Chicago, IL, offering insights and guidance to help parents set their children up for academic success. In her role as Content Manager at SpringHive Web Design Company, she ensures the delivery of exceptional content for a wide array of clients. When not immersed in her professional duties, Andrea finds joy in exploring new recipes and spending quality time with her family.