Toddler Sensory Activities: Fun, Messy, and Absolutely Worth It
Author: Vanessa Rooney
Vanessa is a devoted wife, mother, and writer, she shares uplifting insights, practical parenting tips, and inspiring faith-based content to help families grow closer to God and each other.
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Parenting a toddler is like being the ringmaster of a tiny, unpredictable circus. One minute they’re giggling uncontrollably, and the next, they’re melting down because their banana broke in half.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your little explorer engaged while also supporting their development, sensory activities are the way to go. They are fun, educational, and let’s be honest—sometimes just an excuse to keep them busy.
Why Sensory Activities Matter
Toddlers learn about the world through their senses—touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste (unfortunately, usually all at once). Sensory play helps with brain development, motor skills, problem-solving, and even emotional regulation. Plus, it’s a great way to redirect their attention when they’re about to color on the walls with a crayon they somehow smuggled from the art bin.
My First Experience with Sensory Play
I remember the first time I tried a sensory bin with my son. I had this brilliant idea to fill a container with dry rice and hide tiny toy dinosaurs inside. I imagined a peaceful 20 minutes where he would dig and play quietly.
What actually happened? He joyfully flung rice across the kitchen like a miniature tornado, and I was vacuuming grains of rice out of the cabinets for a week. Lesson learned: always lay down a sheet or take it outside!
15 Sensory Activities to Try with Your Toddler
If you’re looking for fun, engaging, and (somewhat) mess-controlled activities, here are some of the best toddler sensory play ideas.
1. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin
- What You Need: Dry rice, food coloring, vinegar, a plastic bin, scoops/spoons.
- How to Make It: Mix a few drops of food coloring and a teaspoon of vinegar into dry rice. Let it dry on a baking sheet.
- Why It’s Great: It’s colorful, fun to pour and scoop, and it keeps little hands busy. Bonus: it’s much easier to clean than sand.
2. Frozen Treasure Hunt
- What You Need: Small toys, an ice cube tray or plastic container, water.
- How to Make It: Freeze small toys inside ice cubes or a large block of ice.
- Why It’s Great: Your toddler will love chipping away at the ice with a spoon or melting it with warm water.
3. Oobleck (Magic Goop!)
- What You Need: Cornstarch, water, food coloring (optional).
- How to Make It: Mix two parts cornstarch to one part water and stir.
- Why It’s Great: It’s a solid when you squeeze it but turns liquid when you let go. Mind-blowing for toddlers (and honestly, still fascinating for adults).
4. Cloud Dough
- What You Need: Flour, baby oil (or vegetable oil).
- How to Make It: Mix 8 cups of flour with 1 cup of oil until it reaches a crumbly, moldable texture.
- Why It’s Great: It feels like sand but is way softer and easier to clean. Plus, it smells amazing if you use baby oil!
5. Spaghetti Sensory Play
- What You Need: Cooked spaghetti, food coloring.
- How to Make It: Cook spaghetti, let it cool, then mix with a few drops of food coloring.
- Why It’s Great: It’s squishy, slippery, and perfect for little hands. Just prepare yourself for a possible noodle fight.
6. Bubble Wrap Stomp
- What You Need: Bubble wrap, paint, paper, and tape.
- How to Make It: Tape a large piece of bubble wrap to the floor and let your toddler stomp, jump, and dance on it.
- Why It’s Great: It provides instant entertainment and helps with gross motor skills. Plus, you get to hear those delightful popping sounds.
7. Nature Treasure Hunt
- What You Need: A basket or bag, a backyard or park.
- How to Make It: Go outside and collect different textures—leaves, rocks, flowers, pinecones.
- Why It’s Great: Fresh air + exploring = a win for both of you. Bonus: It’s a great way to sneak in a bit of exercise.
8. DIY Sensory Bottles
- What You Need: Empty water bottles, glitter, water, oil, small beads or sequins.
- How to Make It: Fill a bottle with a mix of water, glitter, and small objects. Shake it up!
- Why It’s Great: These calming bottles can work as a great quiet-time activity (aka, a moment of peace for you).
9. Shaving Cream Art
- What You Need: Shaving cream, a baking sheet, food coloring.
- How to Make It: Spray shaving cream on a baking sheet, add drops of food coloring, and let your toddler swirl the colors with their fingers.
- Alternatively, you can place the different colored foam in a sensory bin.
- Why It’s Great: It’s a fantastic way to explore textures and colors. Just be sure to remind your toddler that it’s NOT whipped cream.
10. Sound Discovery
- What You Need: Pots, pans, wooden spoons, plastic containers
- How to Make It: Create a “music station” with different objects to bang on.
- Why It’s Great: Helps toddlers explore sound and rhythm (though maybe save this one for when you’re feeling especially patient!).
11. Jello with Toys Sensory Bin
- What You Need: A large container, flavored gelatin, small plastic toys (like animals or cars)
- How to Make It: Prepare gelatin according to the package instructions and pour it into a bin. Drop in small toys before refrigerating. Once set, let your toddler dig, squish, and explore!
- Why It’s Great: It’s a fantastic way to engage their sense of touch and taste (because let’s be real—they’re going to try eating it!). Plus, the wiggly texture is hilarious to watch them experience.
12. Ice Painting
- What You Need: Ice cubes, food coloring, paintbrushes, thick paper
- How to Make It: Freeze colored water in an ice cube tray. Give your toddler a piece of thick paper and let them “paint” as the ice melts.
- Why It’s Great: It’s a fun way to explore temperature, color mixing, and cause-and-effect. Plus, it’s mess-free compared to traditional painting!
13. Threading Pipe Cleaners Through Straws
- What You Need: Pipe cleaners, straws cut into smaller pieces.
- How to Make It: Show your toddler how to thread pipe cleaners through the straws.
- Why It’s Great: This activity enhances fine motor skills, patience, and concentration, all while keeping their little hands busy.
14. Edible Sensory Bin
- What You Need: Cooked oats, mashed bananas, cereal puffs, soft fruits.
- How to Make It: Fill a shallow bin with toddler-safe foods for them to explore, squish, and taste.
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for younger toddlers who still put everything in their mouths—this time, it’s safe and delicious!
15. Color Sorting Sensory Play
- What You Need: Colored pom-poms, cups or bowls of matching colors, tongs or spoons.
- How to Make It: Have your toddler sort the pom-poms into the corresponding color cups.
- Why It’s Great: This boosts color recognition, fine motor skills, and hand-eye coordination in a fun and interactive way!
Which sensory activity do you think you will learn first? Let us know in the comments below.
Vanessa Rooney – LDS Mum
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