Sensory activities are a vital part of early childhood development. These hands-on, exploratory experiences stimulate a child’s senses like touch, taste, smell, hearing, and sight to lay the foundation for cognitive growth, fine motor skills, and creativity.
During the early years, when brain development is at its peak, sensory play supports not just learning, but also emotional regulation and physical coordination. Whether it’s squishing soft playdough, listening to calming sounds, or exploring colorful textures, each activity helps children make sense of the world around them.
Sensory activities are also highly adaptable. Whether you're a relaxed, creative, or resourceful educator (or all three), they can be tailored to suit your classroom or home environment.
Below are some delightful sensory activities for toddlers and infants that promote strong sensory skills through simple, everyday play.
Benefits of Sensory Play
Sensory play is more than just messy fun; it’s a key part of a toddler’s learning journey. Every scoop of rice, splash of water, or squeeze of playdough helps build important developmental skills.
As per the American Academy of Pediatrics[1], sensory-rich play with peers and caregivers promotes cognitive, social-emotional, and language development. It also strengthens executive function and helps children build resilience against stress. That makes it one of the most powerful tools in early childhood education.
1. Boosts Cognitive Development:
As toddlers explore textures, sounds, and colors, they sharpen their problem-solving abilities and begin to make sense of their surroundings. Simple activities like painting, sorting objects, or stacking blocks support brain development and logical thinking.
2. Strengthens Fine Motor Skills:
Handling small tools, pouring liquids, and squeezing materials help develop hand-eye coordination and muscle control. Skills essential for writing, dressing, and everyday independence.
3. Sparks Creativity and Imagination:
Open-ended activities like mixing colored water, crafting with finger paint, or building with sensory materials encourage toddlers to explore, combine, and invent. This fosters curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.
4. Supports Emotional Regulation:
Sensory play can be calming. The soft texture of beans, the sound of trickling water, or the repetitive motion of scooping can help toddlers unwind, especially after an overstimulating day.
5. Reinforces Early Learning Concepts:
Sensory activities offer fun, natural ways to introduce colors, numbers, and letters. Children can count scoops, sort by color, or spot hidden shapes and letters. That makes learning feel like play.
6. Builds Social Skills:
Shared sensory bins and group activities promote turn-taking, sharing, and communication. These moments help toddlers practice cooperation and understand social cues.
7. Easy to Set Up, Fun to Explore:
From water play to rice bins to taste-safe sand, sensory materials are easy to gather and adapt to any theme or space. Whether indoors or outdoors, there’s always a new way to explore.
Incorporating sensory activities into daily routines is a simple, powerful way to support infant cognitive development. It keeps toddlers engaged and helps them grow into confident, curious learners. All while giving educators a chance to connect, observe, and guide in meaningful ways.
10 Sensory Activities For Toddlers, Infants, and Preschoolers
1. Touch and Feel Box
A touch and feel box is a classic sensory activity that sharpens a toddler’s sense of touch while supporting early language development. As toddlers explore different objects by feel, they begin to recognize textures, shapes, sizes, and materials without relying on sight. This encourages deeper sensory exploration, memory, and even builds vocabulary as they try to describe what they touch.
What You’ll Need
- A box or container with a lid or fabric covering, so children can’t peek inside
- A mix of textured items: feathers, cotton balls, wooden blocks, sandpaper, sponges, fabric swatches, etc.
How to Set It Up
- Choose a variety of safe, toddler-friendly items with distinct textures.
- Place all the items inside the box and cover it securely.
- Guide the child to reach into the box one hand at a time and explore the items without looking.
- Encourage them to describe what they feel. Use prompts like “Is it smooth or bumpy?” or “What do you think this might be?”
- Once familiar, challenge them to guess what the object is based on touch alone.
- For added fun, create a sensory wall with matching textures. Ask the child to find and match the texture on the wall to what they felt in the box.
⚠️ Safety Tip: Avoid anything sharp, small enough to be a choking hazard, or rough enough to irritate the skin.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
Use open-ended questions to help toddlers reflect and talk about what they experienced. This not only boosts sensory awareness, but also supports vocabulary and reasoning skills.
- What did that feel like to you?
- Can you find something else that feels the same?
- Which one was the squishiest?
- Was anything surprising to touch?
- What was your favorite thing to feel?
2. Play Dough
Play dough is a go-to sensory activity that supports fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and texture exploration. As toddlers squeeze, roll, or squish the dough, they strengthen the muscles in their hands and build awareness of different textures and shapes.
What You’ll Need
- Flour
- Water
- Edible, non-toxic food coloring (optional)
- A rug or newspaper to catch the mess
How to Make and Use Play Dough
Make simple dough by kneading flour and water. You can create two or three dough balls with different water ratios to introduce varied textures. Once ready, explore it in creative ways:
- Squishing and Squashing: Let toddlers squeeze and flatten the dough with their fingers.
- Rolling and Pinching: Demonstrate how to roll balls or snakes and pinch them into different forms.
- Texture Exploration: Add safe materials like glitter, sand, or beads for added sensory contrast.
- Sensory Bin: Fill a tray with dough and hidden toys. Invite toddlers to search and discover.
- Imprinting: Press small objects (like blocks or bottle caps) into the dough to create patterns and let toddlers identify the shapes.
Introduce different dough colors to enhance visual engagement and support early color recognition.
⚠️ Note: Always supervise play dough time. While safe to touch, it’s not edible and could be harmful if swallowed.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- Which dough feels the softest?
- What shape did you make?
- Can you find the dough that’s rougher?
- Which one is green?
- What happens when you press it really hard?
3. Nature Walks
A short, guided nature walk is a powerful sensory activity that encourages toddlers to explore the world around them. It introduces textures, sounds, colors, and movement in a rich, real-world setting.
What You’ll Need
Just a safe, green outdoor space—like a park or a garden—with natural elements to explore.
Sensory Activities to Try During the Walk:
- Touch Textures: Let toddlers feel bark, leaves, petals, or rocks.
- Smell Scents: Encourage them to sniff safe flowers or herbs.
- Listen Carefully: Point out bird songs, rustling leaves, or buzzing insects.
- Watch Movements: Observe fluttering butterflies, crawling bugs, or swaying trees.
- Taste (Only if Safe): Let toddlers try a fresh fruit or berry. Only if it’s 100% safe and age-appropriate.
- Collect Nature Treasures: Give them a small bag to collect leaves, feathers, or pebbles. Then discuss the objects.
You can even help them create a scrapbook with collected objects to reinforce learning.
⚠️ Note: Always keep a close eye on toddlers during nature play. Watch out for choking hazards, sharp objects, or toxic plants. Keep the walk short and comfortable.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- What did that leaf feel like?
- Can you show me something rough and something soft?
- What color was the flower you picked?
- Did you hear any birds?
- What was your favorite thing to touch?
4. Finger Painting
Messy, colorful, and full of learning! Finger painting is a favorite sensory activity for toddlers. It encourages creativity, builds fine motor skills, and introduces color recognition.
You can also try ice painting by freezing colored water into cubes and letting toddlers paint with the melting ice for a cool sensory twist.
What You’ll Need
- Non-toxic, baby-safe paint (or food coloring mixed with water)
- Large sheets of paper or a plastic tablecloth
- Optional: soft brushes or cotton swabs
How to Do It
Cover your workspace and place your toddler on a protected surface. Let them dip their fingers or hands in the paint and explore! Demonstrate patterns and blending if needed, but let them take the lead.
This activity isn’t about the finished product. It’s about feeling, mixing, and exploring.
⚠️ Note: Always supervise. Even non-toxic paint isn’t meant for eating.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- What color is on your finger?
- Did the paint feel cold or warm?
- Can you mix two colors and make a new one?
- What shape did you make?
- Which color did you like the most?
5. Music and Movement
Music is a multisensory experience that stimulates hearing, encourages movement, and supports emotional and cognitive development. Even infants benefit from the soothing rhythm and repetition in simple songs.
What You’ll Need
- Simple musical instruments (like egg shakers, bells, or tambourines)
- Thread to hang wind chimes or safe and soft noise-makers
How to Use Music and Movement
- Sing and Clap: Start with an easy rhyme and clap along. Most toddlers will naturally join in.
- Hang a Wind Chime: Place it where your baby can reach. Tap it gently and let them watch and listen.
- Movement Play: Encourage toddlers to stomp, sway, or jump in rhythm with the music.
Music also builds language comprehension, strengthens trust through bonding, and provides a calming sensory outlet.
⚠️ Note: Keep volume low and instruments soft. Avoid sharp or small parts that could pose a safety risk.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- What sound did the chime make?
- Can you clap like me?
- How did that song make you feel?
- Can you stomp your feet to the beat?
- What was your favorite sound?
6. Edible Sandbox
An edible sandbox is a toddler-safe sensory activity that engages the sense of touch while introducing early proprioceptive and vestibular feedback. It builds fine motor skills, sparks curiosity, and supports creative exploration without the worry of unsafe materials.
What You’ll Need
- Edible flour (like oat flour or powdered baby cereal)
- Edible oil (to make it grainy like sand)
- A large container or shallow tub
- Soft toys or rubber toys in different shapes, sizes, and colors
How to Set It Up
- Mix 4 parts flour with 1 part edible oil to create a sand-like texture.
- Pour the mixture into a large vessel or tray.
- Add toys and invite your toddler to dig, scoop, and play with their hands and feet.
- For variety, try lentils or puffed rice for a different texture.
This tactile play supports hand-eye coordination, muscle development, and imaginative play.
⚠️ Note: Always supervise. Even though ingredients are safe, toddlers shouldn’t eat large amounts.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- What does the sand feel like?
- Can you find a round toy?
- Which toy is hiding under the sand?
- Did your hands get messy or soft?
7. Storyboard
Storytelling is a rich cognitive activity that fosters imagination, emotional connection, and early language development. Using a storyboard helps toddlers visually follow along and stay engaged.
What You’ll Need
- A board or book with large, colorful pictures
- Optional: puppets or toys to act out scenes
How to Use It
- Sit with your child on your lap or in front of you.
- Read slowly, pointing to the images as you go.
- Use expressive voices and gestures to bring the story to life.
- Pause often to let toddlers observe, respond, or ask questions.
Storyboards encourage problem-solving, memory, and a growing interest in books.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- What did the lion do in the story?
- Can you point to the big red balloon?
- How did the story make you feel?
- What do you think will happen next?
8. Water Play
Water play is a sensory-rich activity that supports fine motor skills, cause-effect learning, and sensory exploration. It also has a calming effect and introduces basic science concepts like pouring, floating, and splashing.
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What You’ll Need
- A shallow tub or large plastic bin
- Warm water (optional: add food coloring for visual interest)
- Cups, ladles, and waterproof toys
- Optional: mild soap or bubble bath
How to Do It
- Fill the tub with a small amount of warm water.
- Add toys, tools, and colorful scoops.
- Let your child pour, scoop, and splash.
- Add soap to make bubbles or clean toys.
This activity builds coordination, focus, and confidence through self-directed play.
⚠️ Note: Never leave a child unattended around water, even shallow amounts. Use warm (not hot) water, and avoid soap if your toddler has sensitive skin.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- Which cup made the biggest splash?
- Can you pour water from this cup to that one?
- What color is the water now?
- What sound do the bubbles make?
9. Scent Jars
Scent jars activate the olfactory system and help toddlers connect smells with words, memories, and emotions. It’s a calm yet stimulating activity that sharpens focus and builds descriptive vocabulary.
What You’ll Need
- Small containers or spice jars
- Cotton balls soaked in safe scents (vanilla, lemon, lavender, cinnamon, etc.)
- Labels or picture cards for reference
How to Use Them
- Place the scented cotton balls in separate jars.
- Invite your toddler to sniff each jar one at a time.
- Ask them what it smells like and how it makes them feel.
- Use visuals to help them associate the scent with familiar items.
This activity supports memory, verbal expression, and sensory curiosity.
⚠️ Note: Use only non-toxic, age-safe scents in low concentrations. Make sure jars are sealed well or supervised closely so toddlers don’t open or ingest contents.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- Which smell did you like the most?
- Can you find the one that smells sweet?
- What does this scent remind you of?
- Which one smells like something you’ve eaten?
10. Sensory Path
A sensory path is a fun, movement-based activity that helps toddlers explore textures through their feet while practicing balance, coordination, and motor planning.
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What You’ll Need
- Mats or materials with different textures: foam, fabric, bubble wrap, rubber
- Colored paper or floor stickers
- Optional: Instruction cards with actions like “jump” or “tiptoe”
How to Set It Up
- Lay out the path in a safe space.
- Guide your toddler to move through it: crawl, hop, walk, or dance.
- Let them feel the textures with bare feet or hands.
- Add music or story prompts to make it more engaging.
This activity encourages full-body awareness and helps regulate energy levels in active toddlers.
Questions to Ask Toddlers During or After the Activity
- What did the bumpy mat feel like?
- Which part made you laugh the most?
- Can you walk like a bear across the path?
- Which spot was your favorite to stand on?
How illumine Helps You Capture and Celebrate Every Sensory Moment
Sensory activities that engage colors, textures, shapes, sounds, and scents play a vital role in early brain development. These hands-on experiences don’t just keep toddlers engaged, they help build confidence, support language growth, and lay the groundwork for how children learn, explore, and respond to the world around them.
For educators and childcare providers, creating these experiences is just the first step. The next is capturing, sharing, and building on them.
That’s where illumine comes in.
With features like real-time updates, AI-powered observations, and smart lesson planning, illumine helps you:
- Document meaningful moments with ease
- Share updates with families instantly, keeping them involved
- Extend learning through personalized activities
Whether it’s messy play with finger paint or the quiet focus of a story session, illumine helps you preserve those moments and turn everyday play into lifelong learning.
References
[1]: Yogman, M., Garner, A., Hutchinson, J., Hirsh-Pasek, K., Golinkoff, R. M., Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health, & Council on Communications and Media. (2018). The power of play: A pediatric role in enhancing development in young children. Pediatrics, 142(3), e20182058. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2018-2058
(Reaffirmed January 2025)
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