What’s the best approach to get your kids to identify textures, colors, and smells? My answer to that? Through sensory plays and activities! To put it simply, sensory play is any type of play that engages and stimulates a child’s senses. Touching, feeling, hearing, smelling, and seeing are examples of these activities. And you can find and make these activities in the comfort of your own home – no need to spend a fortune!
As a result, I’ve compiled a list of 15 DIY sensory activities your kids will definitely enjoy!
15. The BEST Playdough Recipe
No need to ever buy store-bought play doh after you try our homemade playdough recipe! This easy playdough recipe takes 5 minutes to prep and 5 minutes to make. And the playdough will last for months! It’s super soft, stretchy and non-toxic for kids. With just a few ingredients your kids will love playing with this playdough.
Check it here.
14. Rainbow Rice
Making your own rainbow rice is really easy! You only need plain rice and paint. There are a few different ways to make colored rice and we have tried them all. This method is our favorite.
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13. DIY Star Wars Sensory Bottle
Looking for an easy Star Wars craft to do with your kids that is fun and educational? Scroll to find out how to make a DIY Star Wars sensory bottle that will keep kids calm and engaged!
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12. Mashed Potato Nuggets – Cooking with Toddlers
Mashed Potato Nuggets are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and such a delicious way to use up leftover mashed potatoes!
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11. Taste Safe Sensory Aquafaba Foam
I have inherited a little saying from my dear, lovely Grandma – ‘Waste not, want not,’. When I heard about the numerous ways to use this amazing substance, I was thrilled to be able to use this product rather than pour it down the drain. Have you heard of Aquafaba? If not, you are about too! If you have, I’m sure you will agree that it really is amazing! Today we used this wonder liquid to make our own Taste Safe Sensory Aquafaba Foam.
Check it here.
10. Create with Crayons Easy Sensory Bin Idea
Do you need an easy sensory bin idea with items you already have in your house? Here’s a great way to get kids to look at crayons and coloring in a new way. And keep them busy!
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9. Feed the Ducks Sensory Bin for Toddlers & Preschoolers
Looking for more fun and easy sensory bin ideas? Check out this amazing roundup for toddlers and preschoolers or this fun washing dishes sensory bin!
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8. How To Make Edible Peanut Butter Play dough
This Edible Peanut Butter Play dough will provide hours of fun for your little ones (and yourself). The hardest part will be not eating it!
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7. Colored Ice Cube Play – Easy Summer Activity for Baby or Toddler
A fun colored ice cube play activity for babies and toddlers, great for summer outdoor play.
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6. The Best Therapy Putty Recipe You’ll Ever Make
If you want to try out the best homemade putty recipe ever, it’s this one. We thought the last one we made was the best, but this one IS THE BEST! The kids can’t get enough of it, and I must say I love it too. So whether you are looking for something for therapeutic reasons like therapy putty, or something to help the kids while they work or a stress reliever for yourself, you’ll want to make this therapy putty recipe.
Check it here.
5. The Best Calming Lavender Slime Recipe – Perfect DIY Jiggly Slime
If you are looking for a soothing, calming sensory play idea, this is it! This amazing Calming Lavender Slime Recipe is perfect! Your children will love pulling, stretching, smelling, squishing, and poking this incredible DIY slime. It’s one of the best slime recipes you’ll ever play with. Homemade lavender slime can be an incredible Therapeutic Slime for kids and adults.
Check it here.
4. How to Make Shaving Cream Play dough Recipe – Rainbow Foam Dough
This easy Shaving Cream Play dough Recipe will have your kids playing for hours. It’s soft, silky, moldable dough that kids and adults love. Plus, this homemade foam playdough recipe only takes 2 ingredients to make (3 if you want to add color) and the results are AMAZING. Add it to a spring theme, rainbow unit, or just as a fun sensory play.
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3. How to Make Unscented Fake Snow Recipe for Your Toddlers Sensory Bin
Measure 1/4 cup of unscented conditioner and 1 1/2 cups of baking soda into a mixing bowl and thoroughly mix the ingredients. Make sure that all baking soda touches the conditioner so that it takes away the extra “poof” of the baking soda.
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2. DIY Glitter Calm Down Sensory Bottle
Sensory play sometimes gets a bad wrap or people immediately close themselves off to the idea because they associate it with mess. Sensory play doesn’t necessarily mean mess. Sensory bottles are a great way for kids to engage in sensory play without making any mess. I’ve made lots of sensory bottles with dry ingredients like rice, beans, pasta and couscous, however even I avoided making water based ones for years {because I was paranoid they would leak}. However, now that we’ve made one, I wish I had tried it years ago.
Check it here.
1. Keep Your Toddler Busy With Diy Moon Sand
Diy moon sand is a great way to keep your toddler busy. It is so much fun to play with and easy to make. You only need two ingredients that you most likely already have at home and it is save to eat in case your toddler likes to put everything in the mouth.
Check it here.
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