10 Fun Sensory Activities to Keep Your Child Engaged and Regulated at Home

Hey there, parents! Are you ready for a fun and engaging way to help your child stay regulated and have a blast at the same time? Look no further because we've got you covered with 10 exciting sensory activities that you can easily do right from the comfort of your own home. These activities are not only loads of fun but also incredibly beneficial for your child's development. So, buckle up, get ready to dive in, and let the sensory adventures begin!

1. Animal Walks

Pick an open space and work on doing animal walks down and back. This is great proprioceptive input and can be fun to do with a parent. Some of my favorites are bear walks, frog hops, snake walks, and a crab walk. You can make it extra fun by creating your own silly walks!

2. DIY Slime

Get messy and creative with some homemade slime. Your child will love squishing and stretching this sensory delight. There are SO many recipes and you are sure to find one with ingredients you already have on hand. My personal favorite uses glue, baking soda and saline solution.

3. Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Create a scavenger hunt using different textures and objects around the house. Let your child hunt for items by touch. You can make this harder by including items they have to match. Hide lowercase letters around the house and have the kids match uppercase letters placed in a central location!

4. Bubble Wrap Stomp Painting

Who doesn't love the satisfying pop of bubble wrap? Combine it with painting for a messy and exciting sensory experience. Acrylic paint works best. Apply the paint to one side and then place the paint side down on paper. Let your toddler push their hand into the back and pop the bubble wrap or take it outside and let them stop on the bubble wrap. When they are done lift the bubble wrap and check out their amazing art! This activity provides great proprioceptive input which can be calming.

5. Sensory Bottles

Gather some bottles, fill them with various materials like glitter, water, and beads to create mesmerizing sensory bottles for your child to shake and explore. Making them can be fun but can continue to be a calming tool watching the items move around in the liquid. Be sure to seal the caps if needed to avoid a mess if they are playing with their finished product unsupervised!

6. Swinging

If you have a swing inside or outside, it can be a great tool to help a child feel regulated. You want to swing them in a slow and calm fashion. If you do not have access to a swing but have someone willing to help you can utilize a blanket and create a hammock to lightly swing your little one. Another alternative is a rocking chair to get a similar motion!

7. Sensory Obstacle Course

Set up a sensory obstacle course in your living room or backyard. Include stations with different textures like pillows, blankets, and squishy toys for your child to navigate. You can have your children use their imagination and help you build the course! Think about how to position items so your child is crawling, climbing, jumping, rolling and more.

8. Playdough Creations

Let your child's imagination run wild with playdough. Encourage them to create shapes, animals, or anything their heart desires while engaging their senses. This can be great sensory input requiring them to push, pull, squeeze, cut and roll playdough!

9. Sensory Storytime

Choose a favorite story and add sensory elements like scented candles, textured materials, or soft music to enhance the storytelling experience for your child. You can find several books with the sensory component added where the children can feel different textures on each page!

10. Sensory Nature Walk

Take a stroll in your backyard or a nearby park and encourage your child to engage with nature through touch, smell, and sight. Collect leaves, rocks, or flowers for a hands-on nature sensory experience.

There you have it, 10 exciting sensory activities to keep your child engaged, regulated, and having a blast right at home! Get ready to create lasting memories while supporting your child's sensory development. Let the fun begin!