Behavioral Insights Team
January 10, 2025
Explore simple, fun activities you can do at home to help your child develop essential sensory processing skills.
Sensory processing is how our brains receive, organize, and respond to information from our senses. For many children, especially those with autism or sensory processing challenges, everyday sensations can feel overwhelming or confusing. The good news? Simple, playful activities at home can make a tremendous difference.
Here are five evidence-based sensory activities that support your child's development while having fun together.
Create a treasure hunt for the hands! Fill a large container with materials like rice, dried beans, sand, or water beads. Hide small toys or objects inside for your child to find.
Sensory bins help children become comfortable with different textures, improve fine motor skills, and practice focus and exploration.
Set up a simple obstacle course using pillows, cushions, tape lines on the floor, and household items. Have your child crawl under tables, hop over pillows, or walk along a taped line.
Gross motor activities help develop body awareness, coordination, and balance. They also provide sensory input that can be calming or alerting depending on your child's needs.
Make homemade playdough (or use store-bought) and let your child squeeze, roll, flatten, and shape it. Add tools like cookie cutters, rolling pins, or plastic knives.
Playdough builds hand strength, fine motor control, and creativity. The repetitive squeezing and shaping can also be very calming.
Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it forms a ball. Let cool and enjoy!
Create "sound bottles" by filling small containers with different materials (rice, bells, beads). Let your child shake them and guess what's inside. Play "listening walks" where you identify sounds in your environment.
Sound activities help children discriminate between different auditory inputs, improve attention to sounds, and develop listening skills crucial for language development.
Designate a cozy corner with soft pillows, blankets, fidget toys, and calming visuals. This becomes a safe space where your child can retreat when feeling overwhelmed.
Having a designated calming space teaches children to recognize when they need a break and gives them tools to self-regulate their emotions and sensory input.
Our team can help you create a personalized sensory plan that meets your child's unique needs.