This post may contain affiliate links. Read my whole disclosure here.
Inside:If you are looking for some great sensory activities for toddlers, here is a list of awesome ideas that you can easily try with your kids! They are easy to prepare and will keep kids busy for hours!
If you are looking for some great sensory activities for toddlers, here is a list of awesome ideas that you can easily try with your kids! They are easy to prepare and will keep kids busy for hours!
One of the activities that are always a success with my son is sensory play. He likes to explore different materials, textures, and sounds. And I’m pretty sure that he likes the freedom to make some mess too. 🙂
It all started when he was a baby and I’ve first created some sensory bottles for him. He was absolutely fascinated!
Then, when he was a toddler, sensory activities became even more interesting! I’ve tried a lot of ideas and he was happy to discover every new activity that I prepared for him.
I was surprised to see that these activities kept him busy a lot more time than any fancy toys he had. And they also offered him some great learning opportunities.
This is why I always recommend sensory activities to moms of toddlers! They are easy to prepare and bring a lot of fun!
Another thing that I like is that for many of them you just need to use items that you already have in the house. Also, you don’t need to spend a lot of time preparing them. And this is very helpful when you have an active toddler around you!
Today I want to share with you some of our favorite sensory activities. I’ve selected some awesome ideas that are both fun and easy and Ihope that your kids will enjoy them!
Great materials and tools for preparing sensory activities for toddlers
Before moving on to the activity ideas, I’ve gathered here a list of great tools that you can use to prepare sensory activities for your toddler.
I always try to have some of these materials at hand because they allow me to quickly prepare a nice activity for my son.
- Fine Motor Tools– These tools are great for both sensory play and fine motor activities
- Kinetic Sand– This sand is so great that I also play with it when I get the chance. 🙂
- Splash N Scoop Bay– If you have a backyard or a balcony that your kids can use to play, this toy is awesome! Toddlers can be entertained for hours with water play and other “messy” activities.
- Supplies from the craft store:pom poms,pipe cleaners,glitter,googly eyes, tape
- Items that you have in the house: cups, spoons, rice, pasta, beans, oats, corn, cereals, shaving cream, etc.
When it comes to sensory play, you can use your creativity to create unique activities and to improvise using the material that you have on hand.
Here are some of our favorite ideas that I hope to inspire you to prepare many nice activities for your kids.
1. Nature sensory bag
This activity is a perfect way to combine nature exploration and sensory play.
You can find all the details here:Nature Sensory Bag Suncatcher.
photo credit:handsonaswegrow.com
2. Rainbow bottles
This lovely activity is suitable for both babies and toddlers. I love that these bottles are verybright and cheerful!
They also allow kids to explore sounds and this makes them even more fun!
You can find all the details here:SENSORY PLAY – RAINBOW BOTTLES/MUSIC SHAKERS.
photo credit:kidscraftroom.com
3. Treasure chest
In the last 2 years, I’ve prepared a lot of sensory bins for my son! And he likes them every single time.
I liked this idea of a DIY treasure chest because it combines playing with kinetic sand with the challenge of finding the hidden treasures.
You can find all the details here:DIY Treasure Chest for Toddlers.
photo credit: icanteachmychild.com
4. Rainbow oats
This activity is a perfect example of how you can use food items to create some fun activities! We also tried this activity with rice instead of oats and it was great too!
You can find all the details here:RAINBOW OATS {HOW TO DYE OATS FOR SENSORY PLAY}.
photo credit:andnextcomesl.com
5. Sensory bottles
I think that playing with sensory bottles was the first sensory activity that I’ve done with my son when he was a baby. And there are so many fillings that you can use to create awesome sensory bottles for toddlers and preschoolers too!
Here are some great ideas for toddlers: SENSORY BOTTLES FOR LITTLE ONES.
photo credit: plainvanillamom.com
6. Minion sensory bottle
This sensory bottle is perfect for Minion fans! And you can easily create it with a few supplies.
You can find all the details here:MINION SENSORY BOTTLE WITH LOOM BANDS
photo credit:littlebinsforlittlehands.com
7. Colorful sensory bags
Another awesome idea that works great for young kids is to create sensory bags using different fillings.
You can find some great ideas here:How To Make Sensory Bags For Babies & Toddlers. We also used these sensory bags for “I spy” activities and they were so much fun!
photo credit:practicallyfunctional.com
8. Bean Sensory Tub
With just some cups, spoons, and dried beans you can create this easy and fun activity! Just make sure to read the safety note at the beginning of the post before doing this activity with your toddler.
You can find all the details here:Bean Sensory Tub for Toddlers.
photo credit:icanteachmychild.com
9. Rainbow sensory tub
Another way to create a colorful sensory tub is to use pasta. You can easily transform this activity into a learning opportunity to teach your toddler about the colors.
Here are all the details on how to prepare this activity:How to dye pasta for a rainbow sensory tub.
photo credit:nurturestore.co.uk
10. Color sorting sensory bag
This activity encourages kids to learn the colors in a very playful way! You can adapt this activity in many different ways to teach your child about different colors or shapes. And your child will have a lot of fun!
Find all the details here:Color Sorting Sensory Bag
photo credit:handsonaswegrow.com
I hope that you enjoyed these ideas! And, most of all, I hope that your kids will like them!
If you want to discover more awesome activities for toddlers, I invite you to explore this Pinterest board that is filled with great activity ideas to try with your kids!
More from Playful Notes
- Nature scavenger hunt for young kids {printable}
- 12 smart and easy games that will bring fun to young kids
- What to do instead of punishments? 5 gentle ways to discipline young kids
>> Want to remember this? Share these ideas to your favorite Pinterest board!
photo credit preview photo:Oksana Kuzmina / shutterstock.com
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I have personal experiences or preferences like a human does. However, I can provide you with information related to the concepts used in this article. Let's go through each concept and provide relevant information:
Sensory Activities for Toddlers
Sensory activities for toddlers are designed to engage their senses and stimulate their cognitive and motor skills. These activities involve exploring different materials, textures, sounds, and colors. They can be both fun and educational, providing opportunities for learning and development.
Sensory Play
Sensory play refers to activities that stimulate a child's senses, including touch, sight, hearing, smell, and sometimes taste. It involves providing children with various materials and objects to explore and interact with, allowing them to engage their senses and learn about the world around them. Sensory play can be beneficial for cognitive, physical, and emotional development.
Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are containers filled with materials that provide visual and auditory stimulation. They are often made using clear bottles or jars filled with items such as colored water, glitter, beads, or small objects. Sensory bottles can be shaken, turned, and observed, providing a calming and engaging sensory experience for children.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills involve the coordination of small muscles in the hands and fingers to perform precise movements. Sensory activities can help toddlers develop their fine motor skills by engaging them in tasks that require grasping, pinching, pouring, and manipulating objects. Fine motor skills are essential for tasks such as writing, drawing, and self-care activities.
Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is a type of sand that is designed to be moldable and shapeable, making it ideal for sensory play. It is made from a mixture of sand and a binding agent that gives it a unique texture and allows it to hold its shape. Kinetic sand can be molded, squeezed, and shaped, providing a tactile and sensory experience for children.
Sensory Bins
Sensory bins are containers or trays filled with materials that encourage sensory exploration. They can be filled with items such as water, sand, rice, pasta, beans, or other sensory materials. Sensory bins provide opportunities for children to engage their senses, explore different textures, and engage in imaginative play.
Rainbow Activities
Rainbow activities involve using a variety of colors to engage children in sensory exploration. They can include activities such as rainbow bottles, rainbow oats, or rainbow sensory tubs. Rainbow activities provide opportunities for children to learn about colors, practice sorting and categorization skills, and engage in creative play.
DIY Activities
DIY activities refer to activities that you can easily create at home using simple materials and items that you already have. These activities are often cost-effective and can be customized to suit your child's interests and developmental needs. DIY activities provide opportunities for hands-on learning, creativity, and exploration.
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags are bags or pouches filled with different materials that provide tactile and visual stimulation. They can be made using items such as water, gel, or various fillings. Sensory bags are portable and can be used for activities such as "I spy" games, color sorting, or sensory exploration on the go.
These are the main concepts discussed in this article. If you have any specific questions or would like more information on any of these concepts, feel free to ask!
