Simple Sensory Activities to Try with Your Child

Every parent of a tiny adventurer knows their baby moves fast. That’s because baby is learning just as quickly, with their brain making rapid-fire connections at every turn. And simple sensory activities are one of the best ways to support that development from the start.

The science of sensory processing

From the moment they’re born, babies begin soaking up information via their five senses. It’s how they make sense of their environment, by touching, seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting it.

Any activity that stimulates the senses is not just fun and games, although it’s certainly fun. Sensory play has an essential role in developing children’s cognitive functions, fine motor skills, emotional regulation, language acquisition, and creativity.

Here’s how it works: When a child experiences something through their senses, like touching a soft blanket, it activates specific neural pathways in their brains. These pathways process and integrate information from all over the body, helping the child develop an understanding of the rules by which the world operates.

Think of it as the brain’s way of organizing and understanding sensory input. When a baby feels the texture of a soft blanket, the receptors in their hand send signals to their brain. These signals are then interpreted and stored as tactile memories, so that your child can interpret this sensation in the future.

As babies explore their surroundings, they form memories, develop preferences, and begin to understand cause and effect. These early sensory experiences lay the groundwork for later cognitive skills like problem-solving and decision-making.

And suddenly, the fact that your baby is going through the garbage makes a little more sense. She’s actually learning.

5 Simple sensory activities

Looking for hands-on ways to support your child’s development? These simple sensory activities are fun, low-cost, and easy to set up. Perfect for helping little ones explore the world through touch, sound, sight, smell, and movement

1. Music and movement

Music is a powerful sensory tool, and it’s fun, too. Turn on your child’s favorite playlist and invite them to move to the rhythm. Whether it’s clapping, stomping, spinning, or jumping, they’ll engage their auditory and kinesthetic senses at once.

To add more depth to this simple sensory activity, try using scarves, tambourines, or even homemade shakers (like a sealed container filled with beans). These props enhance movement and sound awareness, giving your child more ways to explore rhythm, tempo, and coordination.

2. Finger painting

Finger painting is a timeless way to explore color, texture, and creative freedom. Using washable finger paints in the bathtub keeps the mess to a minimum while giving your child an easy-to-clean surface to work on. They’ll enjoy smearing paint with their fingers, noticing how the textures feel and how colors mix together.

Let them draw shapes, trace letters, or make abstract art while you narrate what they’re doing (“You’re making swirls!”). This encourages language development alongside sensory play. When they’re done, cleanup is as easy as turning on the water.

3. Pasta necklaces

Stringing pasta into wearable art is a fantastic fine motor activity for kids. Provide uncooked pasta like penne or rigatoni and a piece of colorful yarn or string. Your child will love the challenge of threading the pasta while creating something fun to wear.

You can even take it a step further by dyeing the pasta different colors ahead of time using food coloring and vinegar. This turns a simple sensory activity into a mini craft project that also enhances color recognition and sequencing.

4. Homemade play-dough

Homemade play dough is easy to make and endlessly fun to play with. Mix flour, salt, water, and food coloring (add a few drops of essential oils like lavender or lemon for an extra sensory element). Once it’s ready, your child can roll, flatten, squeeze, and shape it into all kinds of creations.

This is one of the most popular simple sensory activities because it strengthens hand muscles and builds coordination, all while keeping kids calm and engaged. You can even add small beads or buttons for extra texture exploration.

5. Texture bin

A texture bin is exactly what it sounds like: a container filled with sensory materials like dry rice, beans, or sand. Add small objects or toys and challenge your child to find them using only their hands. Let them explore how each material feels — smooth, rough, grainy, slippery — and describe it to you as they play.

For a fun twist, you can fill a bowl with water and add floating fruit slices, ice cubes, or plastic toys. This engages touch, smell, and even taste (if you supervise carefully), making it a truly multi-sensory experience.

Bonus tips for children with sensory sensitivities

Some children have sensory sensitivities, making them likely to shy away from these kinds of activities. For these children, engaging in sensory play can be more challenging, but it's all the more beneficial.

Here are a few tips for parents of children with sensory sensitivities:

1. Start small: Introduce sensory activities in a controlled, gradual manner. Begin with activities that involve less intense sensory input. For example, instead of finger painting, start with painting with a paintbrush.
2. Create a sensory-friendly environment: Ensure that your child’s play area is calm and comfortable. Soft lighting, gentle music, and a clutter-free space help create a space in which they’ll feel comfortable trying something new.
3. Encourage participation through modeling: Show your child how to engage in the activity by doing it yourself first. Sometimes, seeing a trusted adult go ahead can make the experience less intimidating.
4. Offer choices: Give your child options and let them decide which activities they want to do. Providing a sense of control can help reduce anxiety and increase their willingness to participate. If your child seems uncomfortable, don't force it. Instead, offer other activities or take a break.
5. Be patient and supportive: Progress may take time, and that's okay. Celebrate small successes and be encouraging. This slow-but-steady approach not only supports their sensory processing development but also helps them gain confidence in trying new experiences.

Your child will also get lots of sensory stimulation through everyday activities. With just a little extra planning, you can encourage additional exploration. Consider adding bubbles to their bath, taking walks together, narrating what you’re doing throughout the day, or letting your child bang pots and pans.

These activities naturally engage multiple senses at once, which will help enrich your child’s development and set them on the path of lifelong learning. However, whatever you do, don’t look away. Your child may be three seconds from touching something off-limits, jumping off of something way too high, or eating something that’s definitely not edible.

Final thoughts

Engaging your child in simple sensory activities is foundational to their growth. These small, playful moments help strengthen brain connections, improve motor skills, and build confidence. 

If you need help, Hamaspik’s team is here to guide and support you through every stage. From developmental concerns to personalized activity ideas, we’re here to help you create a thriving environment for your child. Contact us today to speak with someone who understands.

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