10 Sensory Activities Experts Recommend for Kids

Children are natural explorers — every sound, texture, and color they experience helps shape how they understand the world. That’s why sensory play is more than just fun; it’s one of the most essential ways to support a child’s early development.

At The Children’s Lab, we believe sensory play is a gateway to creativity, focus, and growth. It encourages children to use all five senses to learn through exploration, movement, and imagination. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, incorporating sensory activities into your child’s routine can nurture essential life skills — all while keeping playtime exciting.

Here are 10 expert-recommended sensory activities for kids that you can easily set up at home or in the classroom.

What Is Sensory Play and Why Is It Important?

Sensory play includes any activity that engages a child’s senses — touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste — along with movement and balance. When children pour water, squish dough, or feel sand between their fingers, they’re developing neural pathways that improve learning, attention, and emotional regulation.

Sensory activities also:
● Improve fine and gross motor skills
● Encourage creativity and problem-solving
● Support speech and language development
● Build confidence and independence
● Help children calm down and focus

1. Playdough Sculpting and Sensory Play

Playdough is a timeless classic — soft, squishy, and endlessly versatile. It helps strengthen hand muscles, improves coordination, and encourages imaginative play.

At The Children’s Lab, we recommend using non-toxic, natural playdough that’s safe for little hands. You can add a sensory twist by including textured tools, cookie cutters, or natural elements like twigs and shells.

Read more: Why Playdough Is Better Than Slime for Kids’ Development

Expert tip: Introduce themes — like “Under the Sea” or “My Bakery” — to spark storytelling and creativity.

2. Sensory Bins with Everyday Materials

Sensory bins are one of the most engaging (and calming) ways for children to explore textures and practice fine motor skills.

Fill a large container with rice, pasta, beans, or kinetic sand. Add small toys, scoops, and cups for scooping and pouring.

To make it educational, you can turn sensory bins into sorting or counting stations. For example, hide alphabet letters or numbers in colored rice and ask your child to find them.

Why experts love it: Sensory bins promote focus, independent play, and hand-eye coordination.

Read more: 7 Sensory Games for Rainy-Day Energy Burners 

3. Water Play Station

Water is an irresistible sensory element for kids. A simple tub of water, cups, and spoons can keep children engaged for hours.

Encourage pouring, measuring, and floating games. Add food coloring, foam shapes, or sponges for variety.

For toddlers: Water play strengthens grasp and coordination.
For preschoolers: It introduces scientific concepts like volume, absorption, and buoyancy.

Always ensure adult supervision during water play.

4. Sensory Painting and Texture Art

Let kids explore color, texture, and creativity through sensory art. Use finger paints, cotton balls, bubble wrap, and textured rollers.

Instead of focusing on the final product, emphasize the process — how the paint feels, how colors mix, and how textures change.

Expert insight: Sensory art helps children express emotions and improves focus. It’s especially beneficial for kids who are hesitant with touch or messy play.

5. Nature Treasure Hunt

Take sensory play outdoors! Encourage children to collect natural items like pinecones, leaves, stones, or flowers. Then, explore their shapes, textures, and scents.

You can also create a “nature sensory tray” by arranging these items at home for free exploration.

Why experts recommend it: Nature-based sensory play builds observation skills and connects children with the environment.

6. Sound Exploration and Music Play

Hearing is an often-overlooked sense in sensory development. Create a sound station with musical instruments — shakers, bells, tambourines, or DIY instruments made from bottles and rice.

Encourage children to identify different sounds, mimic rhythms, or make their own music.

Bonus idea: Try a “sound walk” — go outside and identify as many different sounds as possible, from birds to rustling leaves.

Expert note: Music-based sensory play supports auditory processing, rhythm recognition, and emotional regulation.

7. Ice and Temperature Play

Introduce temperature as a sensory experience! Fill trays with ice cubes, colored water, or frozen toys and let kids explore melting and texture changes.

They can pour warm water over ice, watch it melt, and describe how it feels.

Pro tip: Add salt, glitter, or small objects inside ice cubes for a fun science twist.

Why experts approve: Ice play encourages scientific thinking and improves sensory tolerance.

8. Sensory Path or Obstacle Course

Physical movement is part of sensory learning, too! Create a simple sensory path using mats, pillows, and textured surfaces like bubble wrap or foam.

Children can walk, crawl, or jump across — improving balance, coordination, and body awareness.

For extra fun, add a sequence: hop on one leg, crawl under a tunnel, spin, and touch different textures.

Expert insight: Sensory movement helps regulate energy levels and supports children with sensory processing challenges.

9. Scent and Taste Exploration (For Older Kids)

Safe smell and taste activities can be both fun and educational. Create a “mystery scent” box using cotton balls soaked in vanilla, lemon, or peppermint. Ask your child to identify each scent.

You can also do a safe tasting session with foods of different textures — crunchy apples, smooth yogurt, chewy raisins — and discuss how each feels and tastes.

Expert opinion: Smell and taste exploration enhances sensory integration and language skills as children describe their experiences.

10. Calm-Down Sensory Jars

A sensory jar (or “calm jar”) is perfect for emotional regulation. Fill a clear bottle with water, glitter, beads, or sequins. Shake it and watch the particles slowly settle — it’s soothing and mesmerizing.

These jars help children self-soothe, focus, and manage big emotions.

Pro tip: Create themed jars — like “rainbow calm” or “ocean waves” — and let kids personalize them.

The Benefits of Regular Sensory Activities

Engaging in sensory play daily — even for 20 minutes — can transform how children learn and interact with their environment.

Here’s what experts have found:
● Improved attention span and focus during school activities
● Enhanced language development through descriptive play
● Better emotional regulation and stress relief
● Increased creativity through imaginative scenarios
● Greater confidence in problem-solving and decision-making

At The Children’s Lab, our sensory kits and playdough jars are designed with these benefits in mind — safe, open-ended tools that encourage exploration and independent learning.

Tips for Parents and Educators

1. Keep It Simple: Children don’t need elaborate setups. Everyday items can create wonderful sensory experiences.
   
   

2. Follow Their Lead: Observe what fascinates your child and expand on that.
   
   

3. Rotate Activities: Introduce new sensory materials regularly to prevent boredom.
   
   

4. Ensure Safety: Always use non-toxic, child-safe materials and supervise younger children.
   
   

5. Encourage Clean-Up: Involve kids in washing or organizing materials to build responsibility.

FAQs

1. What are sensory activities for kids?

Sensory activities engage children’s senses through hands-on play with textures, sounds, or movement.

2. Why are sensory activities important?

They enhance motor skills, creativity, focus, and emotional regulation while supporting brain development.

3. How often should kids do sensory play?

A few times a week is ideal, though many children benefit from daily sensory experiences.

4. What are some easy sensory activities to do at home?

Playdough, water play, sensory bins, and nature hunts are easy, low-prep options.

5. Are sensory activities suitable for all ages?

Yes — sensory play can be adapted for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers with age-appropriate materials.

Final Thoughts

Sensory play is where curiosity meets learning. Every squish, pour, and splash is a tiny experiment that teaches children how the world works — one texture at a time.

By adding a few of these expert-recommended sensory activities into your child’s week, you’ll not only keep them engaged but also nurture vital developmental skills that last a lifetime.