5 Sensory Activities To Try Out With Your Child

**Collaborative Post**

Engaging your child in sensory activities is a wonderful way to stimulate their development, encourage exploration, and create meaningful bonding experiences. Sensory play can be incorporated from a young age and can be key in building up things such as fine and gross motor skills as well as being lots of fun. Sensory play involves activities that engage the five senses—touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing—as well as movement and balance.

A leading Prep School in London have kindly provided five fun and easy sensory activities to try out with your child: 

1. Homemade Sensory Bins 

Create a sensory bin or tuff tray tray by filling a large container with materials like rice, beans, sand, or water beads. Add small toys, scoops, and cups for your child to explore. as children get older you could also add things like weighing scales for them to try to use too. Sensory bins provide opportunities for tactile exploration, fine motor skill development, and imaginative play. 

2. Painting with Textures 

Combine art and sensory play by introducing textured painting. Use materials like bubble wrap, sponges, or feathers as painting tools. Let your child experiment with different textures and colours to create unique masterpieces while stimulating their sense of touch. You could even create puffy paint using shaving foam as a fun textural thing to paint with. c

3. DIY Playdough or Slime 

Make your own playdough or slime at home with simple ingredients. Let your child knead, stretch, and mold the material. You can add scents (like vanilla or peppermint) or colours to make the experience even more engaging for their senses. 

4. Nature Walk and Sensory Scavenger Hunt 

Take a walk in nature and encourage your child to observe their surroundings. Create a sensory scavenger hunt by asking them to find items with specific textures (e.g., smooth stones, rough bark) or colors. This activity engages multiple senses and promotes outdoor exploration. 

5. Music and Movement Activities 

Incorporate sound and movement into playtime by introducing musical instruments, singing, or dancing. Encourage your child to explore different rhythms and sounds with instruments like drums, maracas, or tambourines. Movement activities like jumping, spinning, or balancing can also enhance their sense of body awareness. 

Sensory activities are not only fun but also play a crucial role in your child’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. By trying out these activities, you can create memorable experiences while supporting your child’s growth and learning. So, grab some materials, head outdoors, or turn up the music—it’s time to explore the world of sensory play together! 

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