We’ve all been there… you hand your little one a paintbrush and a blank sheet of paper, look away for a quick second, and turn around to find your child’s entire face tinted blue or your wall getting a new (and unwanted) coat of paint. How can someone so small make such a big mess?! As parents, we love to watch our children explore and get their hands dirty (in fact, it is a crucial part of development) but sometimes we just need a break from bath time and maid duties.
Behold, 5 MESS-FREE sensory activities from an occupational therapist!
But first, let me explain what sensory play is.
Children are constantly using their senses to explore and make sense of the world around them. They learn by touching, smelling, tasting, hearing, seeing, and moving. This is critical for brain development! With every new sensory “experience,” a child is building new pathways in the brain to trigger memories, coordinate motor movements, and shape language and social skills.
Sensory play is any activity that stimulates a child’s senses in a fun, exploratory way. These types of activities will help a child learn to process different sounds, textures, temperatures, etc. For example, a picky eater may be resistant to trying a new food. Instead of bargaining and bribing for each bite, turn it into playtime first! Stamp with apples, draw shapes in mashed potatoes, or make faces with spaghetti. The child will learn to interact with the new texture in a fun and low-demand setting. By making this a fun activity, the child is able to build tolerance and trust that it can also be a positive experience at the dinner table. Sensory play is very hands-on and lets face it, with little ones, that means MESSY! So back to those mess-free activity ideas…
Sensory Bags- Fill a Ziploc bag with clear hair gel, then add some fun surprises like glitter, sequins, coins, or any other small items you can find! I often double-bag mine and slip in a name tracing sheet or word search to incorporate some other fine motor and visual skills.
Tactile Balloons- Using a funnel, fill a balloon with sand then knot it closed for a DIY stress ball. Repeat with a variety of different fillers including flour, marbles, pebbles, or salt. Make it a game by having your child guess what each balloon is filled with.
Discovery bottles- Fill a clear plastic water bottle with water, a few drops of food coloring, and some glitter. Before twisting the lid back on your bottle, add a little glue to secure it closed. Shake and watch the sparkles float and fall. You can make additional bottles filled with any items of your choice: beans, pom-poms, rice, etc. Turn this into an “I Spy” game by filling the bottle with rice and a variety of small items (i.e. coins, mini toy figurines, scrabble tiles). Then, tell your little one what to look for and have them shake around until they find it.
Glue name board- Using a hot glue gun, write your child’s name onto a piece of cardstock paper. Once it dries, let them trace over it with their fingers. Make another with the outlines of different shapes- they can trace these as well as color them in. The raised borders will even help with teaching them to stay within the lines!
Tactile Mystery Box- Find an old box and cut two small holes on one side (so that your little one can reach their hands into the box). Fill the box with a mix of items and have your child feel around and guess what each item is without looking. You can constantly change this up using household items, foods, and different textures.
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If you feel your child shows signs of sensory processing difficulties, he or she may benefit from occupational therapy. Children with sensory processing disorder (SPD) are typically over- responsive or under-responsive to their environment. This may look like:
*avoiding loud noises
*bothered by certain fabrics or tags on clothing
*clumsiness with frequent tripping or bumping into things
*distress if hands are dirty
*picky eating habits
*constant fidgeting and always seeking movement
*pOTential pediatrics is here to help! Our occupational therapist specializes in pediatrics and
*treats children in the comfort of their own home. Call or email us to schedule a consultation or comprehensive evaluation.
** Mention Macaroni Kid for a free consultation to discuss your concerns and child’s needs.
Phone: (240) 876-0961
Email: potentialpediatrics@gmail.com
Visit our website at www.potentialpediatrics.com to meet our therapist and learn more!
