Sensory play is a cornerstone of early childhood development, a way for little ones to explore and understand the world around them through touch, sight, sound, smell, and even taste. It isn't just about making a mess—though that's often a big part of the fun! It's about building vital nerve connections in the brain that are essential for cognitive growth. These activities help children develop fine motor skills, support language and problem-solving, and even provide a calming outlet for big emotions. When they pour a scoop of rice or squish a handful of shaving cream, they're not just playing; they're learning how to interact with different textures and how their actions affect the world around them.
In a world that can often feel overstimulating, sensory play provides a focused, hands-on experience that captivates a child's attention. It encourages them to be curious, creative, and confident in their own discoveries. The best part is that you don't need expensive toys or complicated setups to get started. Many of the most effective sensory activities can be made with items you already have at home. This guide offers 30 simple, low-cost ideas that are easy to prepare and even easier for your preschooler to love. So, let’s get ready to play, learn, and maybe make a little mess along the way.
The following list is organized to provide a variety of activities to suit different moods and levels of messiness, from contained play with dry goods to fun with water and even taste-safe options for the littlest explorers. Remember, the goal is to provide a safe space for your child to learn and grow, so be sure to supervise all activities and adjust as needed for their age and developmental stage.
1. Rice and Scoop Bin
A classic for a reason, the rice and scoop bin is a simple sensory activity that provides hours of fun. Fill a large plastic bin with dry rice and add various tools like cups, scoops, spoons, and funnels. Toddlers and preschoolers will love the simple, repetitive actions of scooping, pouring, and transferring. This activity helps build fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as they learn to control their movements and manipulate the different tools. The sound of the rice as it cascades from the scoop is an added auditory sensory experience.
For a fun twist, you can hide small toys, like plastic animals or letters, within the rice. Encourage your child to search for and identify the hidden objects. This turns a simple tactile activity into a fun problem-solving game. You can also mix different types of rice for varied textures or add a few drops of food coloring to make it a vibrant, colorful experience. The versatility of a rice bin makes it a go-to for sensory play that is both engaging and calming.
The beauty of this activity is how easy it is to clean up. Rice is dry and can be swept or vacuumed up with minimal fuss. For contained play, place the bin on a large towel or play mat. This simple setup allows your child to explore freely without you worrying about a big mess, making it a stress-free option for any time of day.
2. Pasta and Tongs
This activity takes fine motor skill practice to the next level. Use a variety of dried pasta shapes, from penne to macaroni, and place them in a bowl or on a tray. Provide a set of tongs or tweezers and ask your child to transfer the pasta from one container to another. This is an excellent way for them to practice their pincer grasp and build hand strength, both of which are foundational skills for writing.
The different shapes of pasta provide a new tactile experience with each piece. The ridges of penne, the curves of macaroni, and the smooth surface of spaghetti all offer unique sensations for little fingers to explore. You can also make this activity a color-sorting game by adding different-colored bowls or cups for them to sort the pasta into. This introduces a new layer of learning that combines fine motor skills with cognitive development.
To make the activity even more exciting, you can dye the pasta ahead of time with food coloring and a little rubbing alcohol. This adds a vibrant visual element that will appeal to your child's sense of sight. This simple setup can be used over and over, making it a valuable addition to your arsenal of easy sensory activities.
3. Colored Sand
Sand is a classic sensory material, and adding color can make it even more engaging. You can buy colored sand or make your own by mixing regular sand with food coloring. This activity is perfect for a small bin or a tray. The texture of the sand is simple and satisfying, and kids will love running their hands through it and watching it flow. It's a great activity for building sensory awareness and creativity.
Provide a few tools like scoops, small shovels, and containers to encourage scooping and pouring. This simple action helps them build hand-eye coordination and strengthens their arm muscles. You can also use the sand as a canvas for drawing. Let them use their fingers or a stick to draw shapes, letters, or pictures in the sand. This is an excellent way to practice early writing skills without the pressure of a pencil and paper.
For a mess-free option, place the sand in a large Ziploc bag and seal it tightly. Children can squish and mold the sand through the bag, enjoying the texture without getting it everywhere. This allows for a contained, easy-to-clean sensory experience that can be done anywhere, from the kitchen table to the car.
4. Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is a special kind of sensory material that is both messy and not-so-messy at the same time. It feels like wet sand but isn't sticky, and it holds its shape perfectly for building and molding. This unique texture is incredibly satisfying to the touch and provides a wonderful tactile experience. It's great for children who enjoy building and sculpting, as they can create a variety of shapes and structures that won't crumble apart.
Provide molds, shovels, and cutters to encourage creative play. Your child can build small castles, form balls, or even cut out shapes with cookie cutters. This activity helps build spatial awareness and creativity as they experiment with different shapes and designs. They can also practice their fine motor skills by manipulating the sand with their fingers and the tools. The soft, flowing nature of the sand also provides a calming experience that can help with self-regulation.
While kinetic sand is less messy than regular sand, it’s still best to do this activity on a large tray or a designated play mat. This will help to contain any spills and make cleanup a breeze. When you’re done, you can simply scoop the sand back into its container for the next play session.
5. Flour and Oil "Cloud Dough"
Cloud dough is a wonderfully soft and moldable substance that feels silky and smooth. It’s made by combining flour and baby oil, creating a light, airy material that holds its shape beautifully. Unlike traditional play dough, cloud dough doesn’t dry out, so you can keep it in a sealed container for a long time. It’s a great activity for a child who loves to get their hands in a soft, pliable material.
The process of mixing the ingredients is a fun sensory experience in itself. Let your child help you measure and mix, and they will love watching the cloud dough come to life. The dough can be shaped, molded, and crumbled, providing endless opportunities for imaginative play. They can use cookie cutters, small cups, and shovels to build and create, which helps build their fine motor skills and creativity.
Cloud dough also has a pleasant, calming scent, which adds another layer to the sensory experience. It's a great activity for a calm, focused playtime. While it’s not edible, it’s made from simple ingredients that are safe for little hands to handle, making it a great alternative to store-bought play doughs.
6. "Cereal" Sensory Bin
For a taste-safe option that's perfect for toddlers who still put things in their mouths, a cereal sensory bin is a fantastic choice. Use a variety of dry cereals in different shapes, sizes, and textures, like Cheerios, corn flakes, or puffs. The different shapes and textures will give your child's hands and fingers a variety of sensations to explore.
Add scoops, small bowls, and funnels to the bin and let your child scoop and pour to their heart's content. This simple action helps them practice their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can also use this as an opportunity to teach them about sorting and counting. For example, you can ask them to count how many Cheerios they can scoop up at once or to sort the different cereal shapes into separate bowls.
Because it's a taste-safe option, you don't have to worry if a few pieces make it into their mouth. This makes it a stress-free activity for parents and a fun, safe one for little ones. The crunchy texture and varied shapes provide an engaging sensory experience that is both fun and safe.
7. Water Beads
Water beads are a captivating sensory material that are a huge hit with preschoolers. They start out as tiny, hard beads and expand into a jiggly, squishy, and colorful mass when you add water. The texture is unique and fascinating to touch. Children will love running their hands through them, feeling them squish between their fingers, and watching them bounce and roll. This activity is excellent for tactile exploration and can be very calming and soothing.
Set up a large bin or a small wading pool filled with the water beads and provide scoops, cups, and buckets. Your child can scoop them up and watch them slide off the spoon, or transfer them from one container to another. This is an excellent way to practice their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills. The vibrant colors also make it a great visual sensory experience that can be used for color sorting and recognition.
Note: Water beads are a choking hazard for younger children and pets, so it’s essential to supervise this activity closely and ensure that no beads are put in the mouth. When the beads are dry, they are very small and must be kept away from children who might ingest them.
8. Cotton Ball "Snow"
For a simple, no-mess sensory activity, a bin of cotton balls is a perfect choice. The soft, fluffy texture is a unique tactile experience that’s different from other sensory materials. It’s a quiet activity that can be very calming and soothing, making it a great option for a rainy day or a quiet afternoon.
Provide scoops, tongs, and small cups and encourage your child to scoop, pour, and transfer the cotton balls from one container to another. This is a great way to practice fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. You can also hide small objects within the "snow" for a fun search-and-find game. This adds a cognitive element to the activity and encourages problem-solving.
To make the activity even more fun, you can add a few drops of essential oil to the cotton balls for a calming scent, like lavender or chamomile. This adds a new olfactory sensory element that can enhance the calming effects of the activity.
9. Pom-Pom Sort
This is a colorful and engaging activity that is perfect for developing fine motor skills and learning color recognition. All you need are a bag of pom-poms in various colors and some containers, like bowls, cups, or an egg carton. Provide your child with a spoon or a pair of tongs and ask them to sort the pom-poms into the containers by color.
The different sizes and textures of the pom-poms provide a unique tactile experience for your child's hands. The act of using tongs to pick up and transfer the pom-poms is an excellent way to practice their pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination. You can also turn this into a counting game by asking them to count how many pom-poms of each color they have sorted.
This activity is simple to set up, requires minimal materials, and is easy to clean up. It’s a great option for a quick, engaging activity that teaches a variety of skills.
10. Shaving Cream on a Tray
Shaving cream is a wonderfully squishy, messy, and fun sensory material that is perfect for a contained activity. Squirt a generous amount of shaving cream onto a large tray or a cookie sheet with raised edges. Children will love to draw, write, and squish their hands through the creamy foam. The cool, airy texture is a unique tactile experience that can be very satisfying.
This activity is a great way to practice early writing skills. They can use their fingers to draw shapes, letters, or numbers in the foam. It’s a simple, low-pressure way for them to practice these skills without the permanence of a pen or pencil. They can simply smooth out the foam and start over again, which is great for building confidence.
To make the activity even more fun, you can add a few drops of food coloring or glitter to the shaving cream. This adds a colorful visual element that will appeal to their sense of sight. While it can be messy, a tray helps to contain the fun, and the cleanup is surprisingly easy—just a quick wipe down with a towel.
11. Simple Water Table
A simple water table is a classic for a reason. All you need is a large tub or basin filled with a few inches of water. Add a variety of plastic toys, cups, sponges, and small containers, and you have an instant playground for endless splashing, pouring, and scooping fun. Water play is a great way for children to explore concepts like volume and displacement. They will learn that a cup holds more than a spoon and that a rock sinks while a plastic boat floats.
This activity is a great way to help children develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They will love practicing their pouring skills and experimenting with how the water moves. Water play can also be incredibly calming and soothing. The simple, repetitive actions can help children to self-regulate and manage their emotions.
To make it even more engaging, you can add a few drops of food coloring or some bubbles to the water. This adds a new layer to the sensory experience and can inspire new kinds of creative play. Water play is a fantastic option for a hot day outside or a contained activity on a large towel indoors.
12. Ice Excavation
This is a fun activity that combines sensory play with a bit of science. Find a few small plastic toys, like dinosaurs or action figures, and freeze them in a large block of ice. Provide your child with a water dropper, a small plastic hammer, and a bowl of warm water. The challenge is for them to use their tools to "excavate" the toys from the ice.
This activity is great for problem-solving skills and fine motor skills. Your child will have to figure out the best way to melt the ice and free the toys. They will learn about the properties of ice and water and how heat affects them. The act of using the dropper and the hammer will also help them to build hand strength and hand-eye coordination.
For a less messy option, you can do this activity in a large tub or a sink. This will help to contain the melting ice and water. It's an excellent way to engage a child's curiosity and provide a hands-on learning experience that is both fun and educational.
13. Colored Ice Cubes
This is a creative and colorful sensory activity that is easy to set up. All you need to do is freeze water with a few drops of food coloring in an ice cube tray. You can add a popsicle stick to each cube for a handle. Once frozen, you can use the colored ice cubes to "paint" on a piece of paper.
This activity is a great way to teach children about colors and textures. The ice cubes will melt as they "paint," creating a beautiful, watery work of art. The cold temperature of the ice is a fun tactile experience for their hands. They will love watching the colors mix and blend as they paint.
You can also use the colored ice cubes in a tub of water for a melting art project. They will love watching the colors bleed into the water and mix together. This is a simple, no-fuss activity that provides a lot of sensory and creative fun.
14. Sponge Painting
Sponge painting is a great way to engage your child in a fun art activity that also builds fine motor skills. All you need is a few sponges, a shallow tray of water, and a piece of paper. Let your child dip the sponges in the water and then squeeze the water onto the paper.
The act of squeezing the sponge helps to build hand strength, which is an important precursor to writing. The different textures of the sponges also provide a unique tactile experience for your child's hands. You can add a few drops of paint to the water for a colorful art project, or you can just use plain water for a no-mess activity.
This is a simple, no-fuss activity that provides a lot of creative and sensory fun. It's a great option for a rainy day or a quick art session. The best part is that it's easy to clean up—just a quick wipe down with a towel.
15. Toy Washing Station
This is a simple activity that can provide a lot of fun. All you need is a bucket of soapy water, a sponge, and a few plastic toys, like cars or farm animals. Your child will love to "wash" the toys and get them all clean.
This activity is great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. The act of scrubbing the toys and squeezing the sponge helps to build hand strength. This is also a great way to teach children about cleaning and hygiene in a fun and engaging way.
You can do this activity outside on a sunny day or in the bathtub for a contained option. This is a simple, low-cost activity that can provide a lot of fun and a little bit of learning.
16. Bubble Foam
Bubble foam is a wonderfully airy, fun, and messy sensory material that is easy to make at home. Simply mix a few tablespoons of dish soap with a half cup of water and use a hand mixer or blender to create a mountain of bubbly foam. This fluffy, light texture is a unique tactile experience that your child will love to squish, mold, and play with.
The foam can be used in a variety of ways. You can put it in a bin and add small toys for them to dig out, or you can simply let them play with it on a tray. The foam is also great for creative play, as they can build and shape it into a variety of forms. It's a great alternative to a traditional bubble bath and can be a fun way to end the day.
While it is a messy activity, the foam is made from simple ingredients that are easy to clean up. A quick wipe down with a towel is all it takes to get everything back to normal.
17. Floating & Sinking
This is a simple science experiment that is perfect for preschoolers. Fill a large tub or a basin with water and provide a collection of items that will either float or sink, like a rock, a leaf, a toy boat, or a small ball. Ask your child to predict whether each item will float or sink and then let them test their predictions.
This activity is great for problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Your child will learn about the properties of different objects and how they interact with water. It's a simple, low-cost activity that provides a lot of learning and a little bit of fun.
You can extend this activity by asking your child to sort the items into two piles: one for things that float and one for things that sink. This introduces a new layer of learning that combines science with sorting and classification.
18. Ice Painting
This is a creative and colorful sensory activity that is easy to set up. All you need to do is freeze water with a few drops of food coloring in an ice cube tray. You can add a popsicle stick to each cube for a handle. Once frozen, you can use the colored ice cubes to "paint" on a piece of paper.
This activity is a great way to teach children about colors and textures. The ice cubes will melt as they "paint," creating a beautiful, watery work of art. The cold temperature of the ice is a fun tactile experience for their hands. They will love watching the colors mix and blend as they paint.
You can also use the colored ice cubes in a tub of water for a melting art project. They will love watching the colors bleed into the water and mix together. This is a simple, no-fuss activity that provides a lot of sensory and creative fun.
19. Painting in a Ziploc Bag
This is a fantastic option for a no-mess painting activity. All you need is a few drops of different-colored paint and a clear, sealed Ziploc bag. Add the paint inside the bag, seal it tightly, and tape it to a window or a table. Children can then squish and mix the paint without making a mess.
This activity is great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. They can use their fingers to draw shapes, letters, or numbers in the paint. The different colors will also provide a fun visual sensory experience as they mix and blend together.
The best part of this activity is how easy it is to clean up. You can simply throw the bag away when you're done, or you can reuse it for another activity. This is a great option for a rainy day or a quick, no-mess art session.
20. Sensory Bottle
A sensory bottle is a great way to create a calming and soothing sensory experience for a child. Fill a clear plastic bottle with water, glitter, and a few small objects, like buttons or beads. Seal the bottle tightly and let your child shake it and watch the glitter and objects float and sink.
This activity is great for self-regulation and emotional management. The slow, mesmerizing movement of the glitter and objects can help a child to calm down and relax. It's a simple, low-cost activity that can provide a lot of peace and quiet.
You can customize the sensory bottle to your child's liking by adding different objects, colors, or textures. This is a great way to create a calming tool that your child can use whenever they need to de-stress.
21. Sticker Peeling
This is a simple, low-cost activity that is great for fine motor skills. All you need is a sheet of stickers and a piece of paper. Let your child practice their fine motor skills by peeling the stickers from the sheet and sticking them to the paper.
The act of peeling the stickers is an excellent way to practice their pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination. This is a simple, no-fuss option that helps them develop their hand muscles and get ready for more complex tasks like writing. This is a great option for a quiet, contained activity that can be done anywhere, from the kitchen table to the car.
22. Bubble Wrap Walk
This is a fun, no-mess way to engage a child's sense of touch and sound. Simply lay a sheet of bubble wrap on the floor and let them walk or stomp on it. They will love the popping sound and the satisfying feeling of the bubbles bursting under their feet.
This activity is great for gross motor skills and sensory integration. The different sounds and textures will provide a fun and engaging sensory experience. It's a simple, no-fuss activity that can provide a lot of fun and a little bit of learning.
This is a great option for a rainy day or a quick, energetic activity that can be done indoors.
23. Sliding Beads
This is a simple activity that is great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. All you need is a long piece of yarn or string and some large beads. Tape the string to a wall and let your child slide the beads back and forth.
The act of sliding the beads back and forth is an excellent way to practice their hand-eye coordination and hand strength. This is a great way to help them develop their hand muscles and get ready for more complex tasks.
This is a simple, no-fuss activity that can be done anywhere, from the kitchen table to the car.
24. Magnetic Tiles
Magnetic tiles are a classic toy that provides a lot of sensory and creative fun. These colorful tiles can be used to build a variety of structures and are great for spatial awareness and problem-solving skills. The magnets in the tiles are a fun way for children to explore the properties of magnets and how they work.
This is a great option for a no-mess, contained activity that is perfect for a rainy day. Your child can build and create to their heart's content, and you won't have to worry about a big mess.
Magnetic tiles are also a great way to help children learn about shapes, colors, and numbers. They can use the tiles to create a variety of shapes and to count the number of tiles they have used.
25. Sensory Board
A sensory board is a fun and easy way to engage a child's sense of touch. You can create one by attaching a variety of materials with different textures to a piece of cardboard or a board. Use materials like sandpaper, fabric scraps, sponges, bubble wrap, and more.
This is a great way to teach children about different textures and to help them develop their sensory awareness. They can run their hands over the different materials and learn about the differences between rough and smooth, hard and soft, and more.
You can also use a sensory board to help with self-regulation. The different textures can provide a calming, soothing experience that can help a child to relax and de-stress.
26. Edible Finger Paint
This is a great option for little ones who are still putting everything in their mouths. You can make edible finger paint by mixing yogurt, baby food, or pudding with a few drops of food coloring. This is a safe, fun, and tasty way for children to explore with their hands.
This activity is great for tactile exploration and fine motor skills. They will love to squish and spread the paint with their fingers, and you won't have to worry if they take a little taste.
This is a fun, low-cost activity that is perfect for a messy but safe art session.
27. Cooked Pasta Play
This is a fun, messy, and safe activity that is great for tactile exploration. Cook a batch of spaghetti or penne and let it cool. You can add a few drops of food coloring to the water for a vibrant, colorful experience.
Children will love to squish and run their hands through the cooked pasta. The soft, slimy texture is a unique tactile experience that they will love to explore.
This is a great option for a messy but safe activity that is perfect for a rainy day.
28. Whipped Cream or Pudding Play
This is a fun, messy, and taste-safe activity that is perfect for a hot day. Put a dollop of whipped cream or pudding on a tray and let children explore it with their hands. They will love to squish and spread the creamy substance with their fingers.
This is a great way to help children develop their fine motor skills and to engage their sense of taste and smell. The sweet smell and taste of the whipped cream or pudding are an added bonus.
This is a simple, low-cost activity that is perfect for a messy but fun art session.
29. Jello Sensory Bin
This is a fun, messy, and taste-safe activity that is perfect for a hot day. Prepare a batch of Jello in a bin and let it set. You can add a few plastic toys for children to dig out of the Jello.
This is a great way to engage their sense of touch and to help them develop their fine motor skills. The jiggly, wobbly texture of the Jello is a unique tactile experience that they will love to explore.
This is a fun, messy, and taste-safe activity that is perfect for a rainy day.
30. Fruit & Vegetable Sort
This is a simple, low-cost activity that is great for sorting and classification. Use a collection of fruits and vegetables of different colors and shapes for sorting and play. Ask your child to sort the fruits and vegetables by color, shape, or size.
This is a great way to teach children about different foods and to help them practice their fine motor skills. The different shapes and textures of the fruits and vegetables will provide a unique tactile experience.
This is a great option for a quiet, contained activity that can be done anywhere, from the kitchen table to the car.
Conclusion
Sensory play is a powerful and simple way to support a child's development. These activities don't have to be complicated or expensive; they're all about giving children the freedom to explore and learn through their senses. By providing these opportunities, you're not just keeping them occupied—you're nurturing their curiosity, building their brains, and creating lasting memories. So, pick an activity, embrace the fun, and let them get a little messy.
