Homemade Fun Activities for Sensory Play

Sensory play is all about letting children explore the world through touch, sound, sight, smell, and movement. For children with special needs, it helps in calming their body, building focus, and learning new skills.

You don’t need expensive toys, you can make sensory play fun at home using simple things!

Here are easy and fun activities you can try:

1.Rice or Dal Box

Fill a large bowl or tray with dry rice, dal, or beans. Add small toys, spoons, and cups. Let your child scoop, pour, and search!

Good for: Touch, hand movement, focus

2.Soapy Water Fun

Mix water and a little soap in a tub. Give your child sponges, toy animals, or spoons to wash.

Good for: Tactile play, calming, pretend play

3.Play Dough Time

Make simple playdough at home with flour, salt, water, and oil. Add food colour or scents (like vanilla or lemon).

Good for: Fine motor skills, creativity, smell

4.Ice Cube Surprise

Freeze small toys or buttons in an ice tray. Let your child melt the ice using warm water or just play with it.

Good for: Cold touch, cause-effect learning

5.Texture Walk

Lay out different surfaces on the floor like towel, bubble wrap, mat, sponge, plastic sheet etc. Let your child walk barefoot and feel each one.

Good for: Body awareness, foot stimulation

6.Different Type of Mats

Try yoga mats, rubber mats, or foam puzzle mats of various textures. Let your child crawl, lie down, or walk across them.

Good for: Sensory feedback, movement coordination

7.Sand or Leaf-Filled Floor

Spread clean sand or dry leaves on the floor. Let your child walk, sit, or play on it.

Good for: Natural textures, relaxation, exploration

8.Wet Muddy Sand Play

In a safe outdoor space or a tray, let your child explore wet mud or muddy sand with their hands or feet.

Good for: Deep touch pressure, grounding, calmness

9.Sound Bottles

Take empty bottles. Fill each with something different like rice, stones, water, beads. Close tightly and shake!

Good for: Hearing, sound exploration, attention

10.Scarf Pulling Game

Put colourful scarves or ribbons into a tissue box. Let your child pull them out one by one.

Good for: Finger strength, visual fun

11.Water Beads Bowl

If safe for your child (no mouth play), use water beads soaked in water. Let them touch, squeeze, and explore.

Good for: Touch, hand-eye coordination

12.Smell Bottles

Use small jars with cotton dipped in smells like coffee, lemon peel, rose water, cinnamon. Let them sniff gently.

Good for: Smell sense, calmness

13.Bubble Wrap Pop

Give your child a sheet of bubble wrap to press and pop. You can stick it to the floor too!

Good for: Finger play, sound and pressure relief

Tips for Sensory Play

Always supervise, especially with small items.
Let your child take the lead, no pressure!
Repeat the activity they enjoy, it builds comfort.
Some children may need time to try new textures. That’s okay. Be patient.
Encourage cleaning after play — wiping the table, putting toys back, or washing hands can be a fun part of the routine! This builds good hygiene habits and confidence.

Final Thought

Sensory play is more than fun, it helps your child feel safe, focused, and connected.
And the best part? You can do it right at home.