20 Sensory Play Activities and Ideas for babies and Toddlers to Encourage Hands on Learning, Stimulate Senses and Calm Little Minds

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As the parent of a child with SPD (Sensory Processing Disorder), I’m always on the lookout for different activities to stimulate, teach and calm the senses of my overactive toddler. For anyone not aware, SPD is a neurological disorder which disrupts the sensory information that the individual perceives, resulting in abnormal responses (IE: over-reacting or under-reacting to stimuli). We have sensory bottles everywhere, but it was time to branch out and get creative, so here are some of my favorite sensory activities I’ve come across!

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Tactile Sensory Play with Texture Balloons || THE CHAOS AND THE CLUTTER

Fluffy Cloud Dough Recipe || GLITTER ON A DIME

Edible Water Beads || STEP MOMMING

How to Make Slime without Borax || FINDING ZEST

Fireman Sensory Activity for Preschoolers || FIRE DEPT FAMILY

Edible Play Dough: Easy, Fun, Yummy! || INSPIRING SAVINGS

DIY Slime Stress Balls for Easter || COURTNEYS SWEETS

Stained Glass Finger Painting || LIFE ANCHORED

DIY Busy Board for a Busy Toddler || WHERE THE SMILES HAVE BEEN

Moon Sand Recipe – Non Toxic || CONSERVAMOM

Sensory Dinosaur Dig || TEAM CARTWRIGHT

Make Your Own Rainbow Rice for Sensory Play || MOM SPOTTED

Jello Sensory Play for Babies and Toddlers || THE MOM FRIEND

Colored Ice Cube Play || CRAYONS AND CRAVINGS

DIY Montessori Flower Press || AKAMATRA

How to Make Glittery Faux Snow for Kids || HAPPY MOTHERING

Fluffy Slime Recipe || THE BEST IDEAS FOR KIDS

DIY Window Paint: Sensory Activity for Kids || MOM BRITE

How to Make an Oobleck in a Rainbow of Colors || LITTLE BINS FOR LITTLE HANDS

Zoo Sensory Bin Idea: Exploring Animal Textures || THE MOMENTS AT HOME

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About Ariana Dagan

Welcome! I live in Northern California with my husband, our toddler, and two dogs. I'm a writer, illustrator, and creative mentor. I'm on a mission to create a culture of happier, thriving creators! I help calm the chaos so you can reclaim your time, rediscover your identity, and reach new levels of success in your endeavors. This site is a place to find value in your voice and strength to become the best version of yourself so you can go from simply existing day-to-day to LIVING ON PURPOSE.

15 Comments

  1. I love these, I’ve definitely used lots of them already!

  2. Congratulations! Your post will be featured this week at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home! –Jennifer

  3. Love all of these. Some of them we have done. All four of my kids had SPD with the girls really struggling. We homeschool now and I try to incorporate sensory play into our daily activities

  4. This is so great! I have an almost 2 year old.

  5. These all look great! The funny thing is that my kids are older and they are still into things like slime, water beads, etc. I’m sure they would enjoy some of these.

  6. My daughter has sensory processing disorder and I’m always looking for ways to help her. This is a great list of sensory activities!

  7. Aw, this is a great round up — and they’re great rainy day options even for slightly older kids too.

  8. Hi Ariana! I’m always looking for new hands-on activities to do with my two-year-old granddaughter. Thanks for sharing at the Weekend Blog Hop at My Flagstaff Home. –Jennifer

  9. We needed this list so bad! Summer is here, and even my older kids would love all of these options! Thanks for doing the research!

  10. These look awesome! Saving for summer fun!

  11. Sensory activities are so fun! Saving this for summer fun for my crew!

  12. Thank you! I love each of these ideas! Sensory play is an integral part of learning. ?

  13. Great ideas for sensory play. My eldest son had sensory issues and loved aqua beads.

  14. I’ve done some of these before with my girls but there are some I haven’t seen yet that we will definitely be trying. Thank you!

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