Sensory Play For Kids and Why it’s Important

Sensory play for kids is a fundamental aspect of early childhood development that engages and stimulates a child’s senses—this hands-on, exploratory approach to play fosters cognitive growth and holistic learning. From olfactory experiences to auditory stimuli, sensory play encompasses a wide range of activities designed to activate and refine sensory pathways in the brain. Not only does it help young children learn and explore, but it’s also an excellent way for them to develop their senses and social skills. In this post, we’ll explore why sensory play is necessary and the different types of it, and we’ll list three ideas for sensory play. 

Sensory play is important because it develops a child’s fine motor skills, coordination, mental cognition, and spatial awareness. The types of sensory play are auditory, gustatory, olfactory, tactile, and visual. Some sensory play ideas include sensory bins, sound jars, and bottles.

Read on to learn more about sensory play for kids, why and how it benefits them, and see the list of three stimulating sensory play ideas. 

Why is Sensory Play Important?

Sensory play provides a range of benefits for children, both physical and cognitive. It supports the development of fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. It also provides opportunities for children to develop their language skills and expand their vocabulary as they describe the different sensations they experience. Sensory play encourages children to explore and engage with the world around them. It allows them to ask questions, observe, and experiment with cause and effect. It provides a blank canvas for creativity. Sensory play can help reduce stress and anxiety in children because of its soothing sensory experiences. It can also build confidence by allowing children to take risks, make decisions, and problem-solve. It can help build their confidence and self-esteem as they learn to navigate the world around them.

Sensory Play for Kids Ideas

Sensory Bins 

(Auditory, Tactile, Visual)

Sensory bins typically involve a container filled with a base material, such as rice, sand, water beads, or dried beans, along with various objects and materials for children to manipulate and explore. Sensory bins encourage fine motor skill development and allow children to use their imagination and creativity. 

Materials Needed

• Large Container: Choose a shallow, wide container with high edges to contain the materials and prevent spills like a plastic bin, tray, or play table
• Base Material(s): Select a base material to fill the bin. You could use uncooked rice, uncooked beans/lentils, or kinetic/play sand
• Tools and Utensils: Include large spoons, sifters, spatulas, measuring cups, or funnels
• Add-ins with Texture: Add in different textures for more tactile stimulation, like foam shapes, pom-poms, feathers, or fabric scraps
• Optional- Small Toys: Toy cars, plastic animals, letters, or numbers
• Trash Bag(s): For easy storage and clean-up

Instructions

1. Fill the container with the chosen base material. Adjust the quantity based on the size of the container.
2. Sprinkle in textured elements like fabric scraps, foam shapes, or sensory balls to create variety.
3. Place spoons, cups, or other utensils in the bin to encourage the development of scooping, pouring, and fine motor skills.
4. Allow your child to explore the sensory bin freely. Observe their reactions and guide them in discovering different textures and elements.

• Keep an eye on the child during playtime, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

1. Use sealable bags for messier materials to simplify clean-up—store reusable elements for future sensory bins.

Sensory Bottles

(Auditory, Tactile, Visual)

Sensory bottles typically consist of a clear, transparent container filled with various materials floating in water. Children can observe the movement and interaction between the items as they shake or manipulate the bottle. The noise generated adds an auditory element as the bottle is shaken or tilted.

Materials Needed

• Empty Plastic Bottle: Choose clear plastic bottles with tight-fitting lids like water bottles or soda bottles
• Filler Material: Select a variety of materials to fill the bottles, like sequins, beads, rice, beans, sand, pom-poms, shredded paper, cotton, pebbles, marbles, water beads, confetti, or buttons
• Water: So the filler materials can float around 
• Liquid Glue: To secure the tops of the bottles so they cannot be opened
• Optional- Vegetable Oil or Baby Oil: To separate from the water for a cooler effect
• Optional- Corn Syrup: For a lava lamp effect
• * Food Coloring, Glitter, Mica Powder: You can add these to your bottle for extra visual stimulation

Instructions

1. Get a clean, clear plastic water bottle (with the label removed if possible)
2. Decide on the filler material(s) you want to include in your sensory bottles (experiment with different combinations of fillers if you’d like)

• If you’re adding food coloring, mica powder, or glitter, add it now

1. Add your liquids in (no matter the combination of liquids, leave 1-2 inches of air in the bottle so it can be shaken well)

• Just Water: Fill the bottle with water 
• Water & Vegetable Oil/Baby Oil: 1 part water, 1 part vegetable oil/baby oil
• Water, Vegetable Oil/Baby Oil, and Corn Syrup: 1 part water, 1 part vegetable oil/baby oil
• Water & Corn Syrup: 2 parts water, 1 part corn syrup

1. Optional: Add your food coloring, mica powder, or glitter
2. Glue the lid of the water bottle closed
3. Your sensory bottle is ready to use!

Sound Jars

(Auditory, Tactile, Visual)

A sound jar is a container filled with items like bells, beads, or rice. Children can shake, rattle, and explore different sounds. They can also learn sound discrimination, recognizing similarities and differences between sounds. 

Materials Needed

• Resealable, Small Containers: Choose containers your child can easily hold and shake (with secure lids)
• Filler Material: Select a noisemaking material to go into the bottle, like bells, beads, rice, beans, unpopped popcorn, legos, or kosher salt
• Tape: For extra lid security 

Instructions

1. Select your container(s). Make sure they’re clean and dry.
2. Pick your filler material.

• If you only have one container, you can mix fillers 
• If you have multiple containers, fill each jar with a different filler for sound variety.

1. Secure the lids by taping down both sides.
2. Give to your child to shake, roll, and rattle!

• Keep an eye on the child during playtime so they can possibly remove the tape and ingest the contents of the container.

In Conclusion 

Sensory play is an important type of play that provides many benefits for children and their development. Children can improve their physical and cognitive skills, build confidence, and reduce stress and anxiety by engaging their senses and encouraging exploration and discovery. So, consider a sensory play activity next time you’re looking for an activity to do with your child!