As parents and caregivers, we are always looking for ways to engage and entertain our children while also providing them with valuable learning experiences. One way to achieve this is through sensory activities, which encourage kids to use their senses to explore the world around them. From touching different textures to smelling new scents, sensory play helps children develop important cognitive and social skills, as well as promotes creativity and imagination.
But with so many different activities to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to try with your little ones. That’s why we’ve put together this roundup of 40 sensory activities for kids for all seasons. Whether you’re looking for indoor activities to beat the heat or outdoor activities to enjoy the snow, this list has something for everyone.
From DIY sensory bins and play dough recipes to sensory games and experiments, these activities are sure to keep your kids entertained and engaged. Not only that, but they also provide opportunities for learning and development in areas such as language, fine motor skills, and social-emotional development.
WINTER ACTIVITIES
Winter is a wonderful time of year for children to learn about various subjects. Here are some of the key learning points for children around winter:
Science: Winter is a great opportunity for children to learn about the science of weather, including snow, ice, and sleet. Children can learn about the water cycle, states of matter, and how temperature affects the environment.
Geography: Children can learn about the different regions of the world that experience winter and how their climates and landscapes differ. They can also learn about different winter sports and activities that are popular in different parts of the world.
History: Children can learn about the history of winter celebrations, such as Christmas and Hanukkah, and how they are celebrated around the world. They can also learn about the history of winter sports and how they have evolved over time.
Language arts: Winter is a great opportunity for children to develop their reading and writing skills by reading winter-themed books and writing their own winter stories or poems.
Art: Children can express their creativity through winter-themed art projects such as painting snow scenes, making paper snowflakes, or creating winter-themed collages.
Social-emotional learning: Winter can also be a time for children to develop social-emotional skills, such as empathy and kindness, by learning about and participating in winter charitable activities such as donating warm clothes or volunteering at a homeless shelter.
Mini Pine Tree Lot Sensory Activity – Barley and Birch
Melted Snowman Sensory Bag – Rainy Day Mum
Hibernation Activity – School Time Snippets
Snow Cloud Dough – Our Family Code
Shoveling Snow – Raising Dragons
Snowy Day Sensory Writing Tray – School Time Snippets
Snow Spray Painting Winter Sensory Activity – ConservaMome
Winter Sensory Bin with Word Recognition Activity – Mama Miss
Popping Snow Auditory Sensory Activity – 3 Boys and a Dog
Fluffy Snow Slime – Natural Beach Living
SPRING ACTIVITIES
Spring is a wonderful time of year for children to learn about a variety of subjects. Here are some of the key learning points for children around spring:
Science: Spring is a great opportunity for children to learn about the science of nature, including the life cycles of plants and animals, weather patterns, and the water cycle.
Geography: Children can learn about different regions of the world that experience spring and how their climates and landscapes differ. They can also learn about different spring activities that are popular in different parts of the world.
History: Children can learn about the history of spring holidays, such as Easter and Passover, and how they are celebrated around the world. They can also learn about the history of spring traditions, such as May Day and planting gardens.
Language arts: Spring is a great opportunity for children to develop their reading and writing skills by reading spring-themed books and writing their own spring stories or poems.
Art: Children can express their creativity through spring-themed art projects such as painting flower scenes, making bird nests, or creating spring-themed collages.
Social-emotional learning: Spring can also be a time for children to develop social-emotional skills, such as empathy and kindness, by learning about and participating in spring charitable activities such as donating to food banks or volunteering at animal shelters.
Bug Slime Spring Science Sensory Play – Little Bins For Little Hands
Cherry Blossom Tree Sensory Bin – Coffee Cups and Crayons
Let the Ice Melt Spring Sensory Activity – Mommy Evolution
Nature Inspired Spring Sensory Soup – The Chaos and the Clutter
Spring Bug Sensory Bin – Happy Toddler Playtime
Melting Insect Sensory Painting – Crayon Box Chronicles
Nature Sensory Bag Suncatcher – Hands on as We Grow
Painting Flowers – Mommy Evolution
Spring Gardening Activity – Hands on as We Grow
Dirt Play Dough Invitation to Play – Natural Beach Living
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Summer is a great time of year for children to learn about a variety of subjects. Here are some of the key learning points for children around summer:
Science: Summer is a great opportunity for children to learn about the science of weather, including thunderstorms, hurricanes
, and heat waves. They can also learn about the science of gardening and the life cycles of plants and animals.
Geography: Children can learn about different regions of the world that experience summer and how their climates and landscapes differ. They can also learn about different summer activities that are popular in different parts of the world.
History: Children can learn about the history of summer holidays, such as Independence Day and Labor Day, and how they are celebrated around the world. They can also learn about the history of summer sports and how they have evolved over time.
Language arts: Summer is a great opportunity for children to develop their reading and writing skills by reading summer-themed books
and writing their own summer stories or poems.
Art: Children can express their creativity through summer-themed art projects such as painting beach scenes, making seashell crafts, or creating summer-themed collages.
Social-emotional learning: Summer can also be a time for children to develop social-emotional skills, such as teamwork and problem-solving, by participating in summer camps or group activities.
Proprioception Sensory Activities Backyard Play – The OT Toolbox
Summer Sensory Play with Mud – Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Watermelon Sensory Sand and Alphabet Rocks – Creative Family Fun
Outdoor Tactile Sensory Finger Painting – Mommy Evolution
Simple Summer Sensory Activity with Wet Sponges – The Chaos and the Clutter
Sand Slime without Borax – Simple Every Day Mom
Clean the Cars Outdoor Sensory Activity – Busy Toddler
Scented Ice Sensory Play – Hands on as We Grow
Dirt Cup Frozen Pudding Pops Kids Sensory Recipe – Arts Crackers
Mini Aquarium in a Bottle Ocean Sensory Play – A Little Pinch of Perfect
FALL/AUTUMN ACTIVITIES
Fall is a wonderful time of year for children to learn about a variety of subjects. Here are some of the key learning points for children around fall:
Science: Fall is a great opportunity for children to learn about the science of nature, including the life cycles of trees and plants, migration patterns of animals, and weather patterns such as rain and wind.
Geography: Children can learn about different regions of the world that experience fall and how their climates and landscapes differ. They can also learn about different fall activities that are popular in different parts of the world.
History: Children can learn about the history of fall holidays, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving, and how they are celebrated around the world. They can also learn about the history of fall traditions, such as apple picking and pumpkin carving.
Language arts: Fall is a great opportunity for children to develop their reading and writing skills by reading fall-themed books and writing their own fall stories or poems.
Art: Children can express their creativity through fall-themed art projects such as painting autumn scenes, making leaf rubbings, or creating fall-themed collages.
Social-emotional learning: Fall can also be a time for children to develop social-emotional skills, such as gratitude and generosity, by learning about and participating in fall charitable activities such as donating to food banks or volunteering at soup kitchens.
Apple Scented Pdough – ConservaMome
Fall Leaf Auditory Processing Activities – The OT Toolbox
Fall Sensory Bin with Practical Life and Math Activities – Living Montessori Now
Fall Sensory Bin Acorns and Squirrels Color Matching – Sea of Knowledge
Pumpkin Scented Rice – Handson as We Grow
Fall Trees Marbled Paint Resist Art Activity – The Preschool Toolbox Blog
Fall Leaf Sensory Writing Tray – Little Pine Learners
Mess Free Sensory Autumn Leaf Painting – Kids Craft Room
Autumn Chestnut Hunt and Sensory Play – Best Toys 4 Toddlers
Little House in the Pumpkin Autumn Sensory Bin – Adventure in a Box
How to Dye oatmeal , pasta and rice for Sensory bins – Sensory bins are a fun and engaging way for children to explore different textures, colors, and materials. One way to enhance the sensory experience is by dyeing materials such as oatmeal, pasta, and rice. This not only adds a burst of color to the sensory bin, but also provides an opportunity for children to practice their fine motor skills as they scoop, pour, and play with the materials.
Rainbow Sensory Activity bin –
A rainbow sensory activity bin is a vibrant and engaging play space that is filled with a variety of materials in different colors of the rainbow. Children can explore the materials using their senses, including sight, touch, and sound, and can use their imaginations to create their own play scenarios.
Creating a rainbow sensory activity bin is easy and affordable, and can be customized to suit your child’s interests and developmental needs. You can include a variety of materials such as rice, pasta, pom-poms, feathers, and more, all in different colors of the rainbow. Children can use tools such as scoops, spoons, and funnels to manipulate the materials and create their own sensory experiences.
Halloween Sensory Jars Get ready to spookify your sensory play with these Halloween sensory jars! These DIY jars are perfect for kids who love all things creepy and crawly. Not only are they a fun way to engage in sensory play, but they also make great decorations for your Halloween festivities. Using simple materials like mason jars, food coloring, and creepy-crawly toys, you can create a whole collection of sensory jars for your kids to explore. These Halloween sensory jars are a great way to get into the Halloween spirit while also providing your little ones with a fun and educational activity.
How to make Textured Sand for Sensory Play
With just a few simple ingredients like sand, cornstarch, and food coloring, you can create a range of textures and colors for your kids to play with. Not only is this activity fun, but it also provides valuable opportunities for learning and development. Sensory play helps children develop important cognitive and social skills, as well as promotes creativity and imagination. So, if you’re looking for a fun and educational activity for your kids, give textured sand a try!
How to make Scented Playdough.
Playdough is a classic sensory activity that kids love. But have you ever tried making scented playdough? Adding scents like lavender, peppermint, or lemon can add a whole new level of sensory exploration to this beloved activity. Scented playdough not only engages kids’ sense of touch, but also their sense of smell. It’s a great way to provide kids with a multi-sensory experience while also promoting relaxation and stress relief. Plus, making scented playdough is easy and fun! With a few simple ingredients and essential oils, you can create a whole range of scented playdough for your kids to enjoy.
Are you looking for the best sensory toys and activities for your child? Explore our comprehensive resources to enhance your child’s sensory play and development. Check out our curated Amazon Idea List featuring top-rated sensory toys and items, and don’t miss our expertly written articles on sensory activities. Start creating fun and educational sensory experiences today!