25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (2024)

You are here: Home / Activities / Learning / Sensory / 25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration

2 Jan

Popular
SensoryPreschoolersToddlersBusy Play
Messy Play
Resources35 Comments

Sensory activities for kids are almost always a no-fail activity. It opens the door for free play. It lets the kids explore a material. And it’s just fun!

Sensory activities tend to end in a mess at our house.

But if you’re not a mess fan, take preventative measures with our 10 tips for keeping messy play clean.

Sometimes, I have a hard time differentiating a sensory activity from any other kids activity. Because really, everything the kids do has to do with their senses, right? Touch especially.

Let’s challenge ourselves over the next few weeks to get the kids to explore sensory activities with senses other than touch too.

We can find more activities that intentionally get them to use their sense of sound, taste, sight, and smell.

It’s exciting to really stretch ourselves out of our normal element!

25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (1)

Most of these sensory activities listed are to do with the sense of touch. However, a couple break out of that too. Can you find the ones that explore the other senses?

Enjoy Our 25 Sensory Activities for Kids!

I’ve broken our list up into two sections.

The first section is the majority of our sensory activities and they’re more of a ‘sensory tub’, even though they’re not necessarily always in a tub.

They’re set out as an activity to explore a material of some sort.

The second section is the accidental sensory exploration through the creation of something else.

I love these the most because there seems to be a purpose for the kids to explore even though the sensory part is an activity in itself.

25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (2)

Download the FREE Week of Sensory Bins PDF here!

25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (3)

Be prepared for sensory activity fun with these affiliate products for kids:

25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (4)

What’s your child’s favorite material for sensory exploration?

WANT TO SAVE THIS ACTIVITY?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox so you can access this activity later! Plus, you'll get simple activities from us every week!

About Jamie Reimer

Jamie learned to be a hands on mom by creating activities, crafts and art projects for her three boys to do. Jamie needed the creative outlet that activities provided to get through the early years of parenting with a smile! Follow Jamie on Pinterest and Instagram!

More Hands on Kids Activities to Try

15 Quick Sensory Activities from Hands on Moms
39 Edible Sensory Play Ideas for Little Kids
6 Sensory Activities for Toddlers to Explore with All 5 Senses
A Very Sticky Sensory Art Activity for Toddlers

Reader Interactions

35 Comments

fooddoz.com says
July 18, 2022 at 8:29 am

Thanks for the post.
to fooddoz.com" aria-label='reply to this comment to fooddoz.com'>reply to this comment
Best Daycare in Ahmedabad says
July 14, 2022 at 7:33 am

Thanks for sharing
to Best Daycare in Ahmedabad" aria-label='reply to this comment to Best Daycare in Ahmedabad'>reply to this comment
artelixir says
July 7, 2022 at 5:11 am
See Also
50+ Affordable Sensory Play Activities for Children's Brain Development 100+ Awesome and Easy Sensory Diet Activities Supporting Sensory Wellness in Older Adults 32 Activities for Sensory Seekers - Autism & ADHD Resources for Parents

Very nice
to artelixir" aria-label='reply to this comment to artelixir'>reply to this comment
Jatinder kumar says
January 11, 2022 at 4:05 pm

I absolutely agree with the greater youngsters get themselves messy whilst they’re more youthful the braver they may be to attempt new matters whilst they’re an adult. There’s a few absolutely amusing thoughts right here thank you
to Jatinder kumar" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jatinder kumar'>reply to this comment
Niranjan says
October 26, 2021 at 3:12 am

Nice article, Niranjan
to Niranjan" aria-label='reply to this comment to Niranjan'>reply to this comment
Suzy McCullough says
May 12, 2021 at 3:37 am

I fully believe the more kids get themselves messy when they are younger the braver they will be to try new things when they are an adult. There’s some really fun ideas here thank you
to Suzy McCullough" aria-label='reply to this comment to Suzy McCullough'>reply to this comment
Online Shopping Deals says
February 14, 2021 at 9:16 pm

Such a wonderful, thoughtful tips for engaging children.
to Online Shopping Deals" aria-label='reply to this comment to Online Shopping Deals'>reply to this comment
C. Glass says
September 23, 2020 at 5:00 am

Have just come across this site and browsed through. I think it is amazing and such an amazing treasure trove of ideas for those wishing to raise their little ones. Brilliant!
to C. Glass" aria-label='reply to this comment to C. Glass'>reply to this comment
www.restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website says
August 3, 2020 at 12:19 am

Thanks for the post.
to www.restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website" aria-label='reply to this comment to www.restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website'>reply to this comment
Anny says
January 27, 2019 at 11:38 pm

I like this site because give me a good ideas for activities.
to Anny" aria-label='reply to this comment to Anny'>reply to this comment
See Also
Sensory Classroom Ideas for ALL Students
Pretty says
June 23, 2018 at 2:36 pm

I like your funny activity for young children I am an ecd practitioner I want to make different activities for kids
that not boring them.
Please help!
to Pretty" aria-label='reply to this comment to Pretty'>reply to this comment
Seema Mehta says
April 23, 2018 at 12:32 am

Very good sensory activity for the children to do, every child is different and has different interest, likes and dislikes. Parent has to find out the one the child likes the most and is interested in. I liked the accidental sensory activities, as it would help the child to be creative during unexpected circ*mstance to have presence of mind.
to Seema Mehta" aria-label='reply to this comment to Seema Mehta'>reply to this comment
Paulette Barnes says
September 2, 2017 at 8:27 pm

I really enjoy your creative ideas to teach sensory play. thank you.
to Paulette Barnes" aria-label='reply to this comment to Paulette Barnes'>reply to this comment
Michelle says
February 27, 2017 at 12:38 am

Look like your ideas.
to Michelle" aria-label='reply to this comment to Michelle'>reply to this comment
Rohan says
April 21, 2014 at 12:44 am

I totally love this sensory activities for kids! What cute ideas for kids.
Rohan
to Rohan" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rohan'>reply to this comment
Taylor Martinez says
April 7, 2014 at 7:15 pm

I really love this website and it has really helpful ideas for anyone who is working with two’s.
to Taylor Martinez" aria-label='reply to this comment to Taylor Martinez'>reply to this comment
- Jamie Reimer says
  April 8, 2014 at 8:35 pm
  
  Thanks Taylor.
  to Jamie Reimer" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jamie Reimer'>reply to this comment
IrishEyes (@ILuv2Fish78) says
October 4, 2013 at 8:11 am

It doesn’t show how to make any of these things. I’m starting a job as a nanny, and I came upon this site. I thought-what a great thing. But, then it doesn’t give me the ingredients I need to make any of them.
to IrishEyes (@ILuv2Fish78)" aria-label='reply to this comment to IrishEyes (@ILuv2Fish78)'>reply to this comment
- Jamie Reimer says
  October 4, 2013 at 9:17 am
  
  You can click on each of the pictures and links to get the details of each one.
  to Jamie Reimer" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jamie Reimer'>reply to this comment
Sarah says
May 2, 2013 at 11:33 am

You have a great collection too!
to Sarah" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sarah'>reply to this comment
Mandy says
February 24, 2013 at 8:40 pm

If you live in the right region, putting a tub of snow on a big towel on the floor is a great thing for little ones to have fun with too. The snow doesn’t melt as fast as one would think it would.
to Mandy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mandy'>reply to this comment
Bek @ Just For Daisy says
February 23, 2013 at 5:29 am

Wow! Some great new things for us to try! :) Thanks x
to Bek @ Just For Daisy" aria-label='reply to this comment to Bek @ Just For Daisy'>reply to this comment
katepickle says
February 21, 2013 at 8:26 pm

I am so with you on this… sensory play calms the savage beasts in our house!
thanks for such a fab list of resources!
to katepickle" aria-label='reply to this comment to katepickle'>reply to this comment
Mary Catherine says
February 21, 2013 at 12:47 pm

I agree with you . . . when all else fails, bring out the sensory play! My guy loves so many different sensory items, but he always comes back to just plain old water. Even when we use different materials, like shaving cream or oats, he always ends up adding water to the play. Thanks, as always, for sharing such fun ideas for the kiddos. :)
to Mary Catherine" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mary Catherine'>reply to this comment
- chutima rittraprom says
  October 19, 2015 at 2:41 am
  
  I think it is the ieas in a child , Thank you very much.
  to chutima rittraprom" aria-label='reply to this comment to chutima rittraprom'>reply to this comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (2024)

FAQs

What are fine motor activities in sensory bins? ›

Sensory bin play activities are one way to promote motor skills development. For example, playing with mud, play dough, or rice in a sensory bin helps develop fine motor skills. Also, moving from one sensory bin station to another helps develop motor skills since children mostly explore through hands-on activities.

View Details ›

What are sensory play areas or tubs? ›

Sensory bins provide children with the opportunity to explore and learn through hands-on tactile play that engages their senses. These bins encourage and support various types of development and are great activities to have in your home. Sensory bins can be themed for holidays, seasons and academic skills.

Read The Full Story ›

What is exploration and sensory learning? ›

Sensory play encourages learning through exploration, curiosity, problem solving and creativity. It helps to build nerve connections in the brain and encourages the development of language and motor skills.

See Details ›

What is an example of exploration play? ›

According to The Hanen Centre, exploratory play is when children explore objects and toys using their senses. They perform “actions” on objects. For example, they dump, bang, mouth, throw and shake objects and toys. Later in exploratory play, children bang two objects together and put one object inside of another.

Explore More ›

What is an example of a toy that promotes sensory exploration? ›

Sensory toys are designed to stimulate a child's five senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. They can come in many different forms, such as soft textured balls, fidget toys, musical instruments, and sensory bins.

Explore More ›

What are the activities for sensory enrichment? ›

Tips for Using Sensory Enrichment at Home:

Set up your child's play environment with various textures, music, and colorful artwork. Wrap your child in a warm towel after they bathe. Before bed, play instrumental or other peaceful music until they fall asleep. Massage your child's hands with a scented lotion.

Explore More ›

What is sensory bin activity? ›

What Is a Sensory Bin? A sensory bin is a shallow container that combines filler material and various small odds and ends. You fill the bin with a filler material such as sand or rice, then add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Let your child explore the items and have fun playing.

Read The Full Story ›

What is an example of sensory motor play? ›

Examples of sensory-motor skills include catching a ball, riding a bicycle, or typing on a keyboard. Sensory-motor skills are typically developed through central-nervous system integration and are refined over time through practice, feedback, and error correction (Asan et. al, 2021).

Keep Reading ›

What are the 5 sensory play? ›

Typically, we'd think of sensory play as any kind of play-based activity that engages at least one of the five senses – touch, taste, sight, sound and smell.

Tell Me More ›

When to start sensory bins? ›

At the toddler stage, from ages 2 to 3, kids are typically ready to engage with more toys. A great place to start are sensory bins—literally, a bin or box filled with various materials meant to stimulate the senses.

Read On ›

How do sensory bins help children? ›

Sensory bins promote self-regulation.

This also includes awareness of motion and balance. Playing in a sensory bin can help a child to organize their feelings of where their body parts are in relation to other things. Sensory bins can also be a technique for calming an upset child.

See Details ›

What is an exploration lesson? ›

In Explorations, adults and children engage in play-based, hands-on learning and make discoveries together about ideas, materials and each other.

Explore More ›

What is sensorial exploration? ›

Excite the senses and allow students to learn and grow through touch, sight, sound and scent. These hands on tools can be used alongside more traditional teaching methods to allow students to learn and grow in connection with their surrounding environment.

Read The Full Story ›

What is exploration based learning? ›

Exploration-based learning is an active learning approach which helps children learn through curiosity and inquiry. Learning through exploration as a process changes the way one approaches a particular situation. Indeed, one can assert that it is the most effective way of learning.

Read The Full Story ›

What are some examples of sensory play? ›

Our favorite sensory play ideas for toddlers to preschoolers and beyond include sensory bins, sensory bottles, playdough, slime (especially taste-safe slime for younger kids), water play, messy play, and more. You can make so many unique sensory play ideas from convenient supplies!

What are the best activities for sensory avoiders? ›

Pulling a heavy wagon, carrying a box of books, sweeping the floor with a weight attached to the broom, and using a weighted lap pad at intervals are all examples of this type of proprioceptive input which may help with calming and organizing for both sensory avoiders and sensory seekers.

Know More ›

25 Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Tubs & Further Exploration (2024)

Enjoy Our 25 Sensory Activities for Kids!

What’s your child’s favorite material for sensory exploration?

WANT TO SAVE THIS ACTIVITY?

About Jamie Reimer

More Hands on Kids Activities to Try

Reader Interactions

35 Comments

Leave a Comment

FAQs

What are fine motor activities in sensory bins? ›

How do sensory bins help children? ›

References