Easy sensory play activities for toddlers help develop brain skills while keeping playtime fun. Sensory play helps children explore the world. They learn through touch, sight, sound, taste, and movement.
Easy sensory play activities for toddlers improve fine motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving. Best of all, they are simple, mess-free, and stress-free for parents. You don’t need fancy toys—just everyday household items work great!
This article shares 35+ fun ideas that engage toddlers in meaningful learning. Whether at home or in school, these easy sensory play activities for toddlers will keep little ones happy and curious. Let’s explore exciting ways to boost brain development with sensory play
What is Sensory Play?
Sensory play refers to a child engaging with various materials in their environment. Sensory bins fall under this category, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. The aim is to provide children with the opportunity to explore, engage with, and manipulate real-world objects. Sensory play can take place outdoors or indoors, but the key aspect is that children interact with their surroundings.
In outdoor settings, sensory play might involve activities with mud, dirt, water, or sand. Within the home, we can facilitate sensory play through sensory bins or alternative spaces (such as a bathtub) to manage the sensory materials.
However, despite the vast array of sensory activity suggestions available online, it’s essential to select the appropriate sensory ideas for your child, home, and personal comfort level with messy play. Everyone’s preferences will differ, although there are certainly standout options in the sensory category that could be perfect for your family.
Sensory play is incredibly popular right now, and rightfully so. However, these easy sensory play activities for toddlers are not merely a passing trend. Sensory play is not the newest craze, nor are children performing choreographed dances on TikTok.
For generations, easy sensory play activities for toddlers have been fundamental to early childhood education, but only recently have they garnered the widespread attention and recognition they truly deserve.
Although it may appear that sensory play is suddenly everywhere on your social media platforms, these treasured aspects of childhood have been present for years.
Sensory play has long been a vital component of daycares, preschools, and recreation centers. Now is the time for parents to tap into the incredible learning benefits that Easy sensory play activities for toddlers can offer within the home environment.
Why are Sensory Activities Important?
Engaging in sensory play activities provides essential and meaningful learning experiences during childhood. It presents an unparalleled chance for children to develop skills in science, math, problem-solving, critical thinking, fine motor skills, imaginative play, and communication, among others.
Every caregiver/parent understands that toddlers can be quite messy. You look away for just a moment, and before you know it, your child is covered in mud, cheerfully smearing your new lipstick into the couch cushions or leaving a sticky trail of honey across the floor.
Any action that piques a young child’s interest in one of the five senses is called sensory play. In addition to fostering creativity and scientific thinking, these sensory activities allow children to explore and investigate their surroundings. What are some of the top sensory play concepts for children?
Sensory play is a fantastic resource for education during early childhood. This carefully selected compilation of sensory activities from us is packed with ideas for simple and quick setups using materials commonly found at home.
While cleaning it up may be a hassle, all that messy play is actually a crucial component of your toddler’s development. This is known as sensory play, which encompasses any activity that engages one of the five senses for a young child.
These sensory experiences allow children to explore and learn about their surroundings, fostering creativity and scientific reasoning. However, just because this behavior is beneficial doesn’t mean it has to result in an enormous, unforeseen mess. You can support your little ones’ sensory development by offering them numerous enjoyable opportunities to engage their senses.
We have compiled some of the top sensory activities for toddlers available online in this article. These suggestions are sure to keep your toddlers occupied and learning!
35+ Easy Sensory Play Activities for Toddlers That Boost Brain Development
Today, let’s explore some of the top sensory play ideas for kids, both indoors and outdoors. These are the absolute best, the top-rated, the consistent winners.
The beauty of sensory play is that it caters to all ages: bins suitable for toddlers can also engage 3rd graders. I refer to sensory play as “the great equalizer” because it’s one of the few easy sensory play activities for toddlers where a 12-month-old and a 12-year-old can play together effectively.
The easy sensory play activities for toddlers included here are trusted favorites. These are the sensory play options that I rely on time and again. There’s no need to constantly come up with new sensory ideas: having a few reliable strategies in our parenting toolkit can make a significant impact.
I understand that sensory activities might seem daunting and messy. However, sensory play doesn’t have to result in chaos. Children can engage in play while staying within the parameters of the activity and keeping the sensory bin area (mostly) tidy. It simply requires some straightforward, clear, and consistent boundaries.
Prepare yourself and your child for success – a bit of preparation and thoughtful consideration before beginning an activity is crucial for its effectiveness. Here we have different sensory play activities for your kids.
1. Flour sensory trays
This sensory experience from the Hands On As We Grow® blog is incredibly simple—you probably already have everything you need in your pantry! Just pour some flour onto a tray, baking sheet, or paper plate, and allow your kids to enjoy finger painting and making handprints. Children will delight in honing their artistic skills with the soft, powdery flour. Incorporating toy cars or measuring tools into the activity will also inspire imaginative play!
2. Six smelly activities
If you’re searching for activities that explore the sense of smell, Scholastic® provides six quick scent-based activities that you can set up with items from your home. From playing a game of “smell and go seek” to creating a DIY stink bomb, these suggestions are guaranteed to captivate both you and your toddler with this often underappreciated sense.
3. Flour & water dough
After your kids have enjoyed playing with plain flour, introduce water to create an entirely different experience! These guidelines from TinkerLab will offer ideas to kick things off, such as providing a spoon your child can use to mix in the water or create the “dough.” Your kids will observe science in action as they see how water changes the flour.
4. Popcorn senses
An activity that engages all five senses while using popcorn—what could be better? Play To Learn Preschool has crafted a five-sense activity for preschoolers centered around making popcorn! From the sound of the kernels popping to savoring the final product, this activity transforms a straightforward kitchen task into an intentional learning experience that concludes with a delicious treat.5.
5. Sand table
Turn your home into a beach paradise for your child with a sand table. Fill a baking dish with vibrant sand sourced from a craft store. Learn how to blend literacy skills into this play experience at Imagination Soup. Younger toddlers can delight in burying toys, while older children can focus on drawing letters and shapes.
6. Wave bottle
Little ones are often drawn to water. TeacherVision offers guidelines and questions to help toddlers observe and interact with their surroundings. By using everyday household items, the wave bottle creates a sensory experience that aids your child in understanding water’s movement in waves and its importance in our ecosystem.
7. Rock band
Making music is an excellent way to engage children’s senses! Kids Creative Chaos provides advice on making music both fun and instructive for kids. You can create your own instruments or turn pots and pans into a makeshift drum set. Many believe sensory play is just about textures, yet rhythm and melodies play a crucial role in sensory learning.
8. Fall leaf activities
The beautiful fall season captivates everyone, including adults. Fantastic Fun and Learning presents numerous activities that highlight the changes we observe in nature during autumn. Through art, exploration, or scientific projects, there are countless ideas to help toddlers appreciate the marvels of the fall season.
9. Slimy eyes sensory bag
Experience the fun and learning without any mess! Simply combine hair gel with googly eyes in a zip-top bag, shake it, and voila, you have some gooey slime with eyes for your child to play with.
10. Wet paper exploration
Fill a small container with water and give your toddler some old magazines or junk mail to submerge. Your children will be intrigued by the new texture of the paper! It may seem straightforward, but kids have an inherent curiosity about ordinary items. Easy sensory play activities for toddlers like this allow them the freedom to investigate their surroundings.
11. Soapy slime fun
If you’re searching for an enjoyable outdoor activity that promises a distinctive experience, Janice Davis, an early childhood educator from Australia, offers a creative way for your toddler to embrace messiness by crafting a vibrant, slimy, and soapy mix. While this project can get messy, taking it outside means you only need a hose for cleanup!
12. Shaving cream
Create a fun experience by squirting shaving cream onto a piece of aluminum foil and watch your kids have a blast! You can enhance the activity by mixing in sprinkles or swapping the shaving cream for edible whipped cream. Children will improve their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, and the crinkly foil will also engage their sense of sound. Discover additional variations at Kids Creative Chaos.
13. Loom band sensory bottle
For this sensory activity from In The Playroom, find an empty, clear plastic bottle. Fill it with water and toss in a handful of variously colored rubber loom bands. Your child will be captivated as they observe the bands floating through the water, and you can easily replace the bands with other items for the next round.
14. Ice world
With just some empty containers, a bit of food coloring, and a freezer, you can help your kids create playtime inspired by a chilly climate. Learning4Kids shares how to use these materials to introduce your toddlers to an arctic environment. This activity is particularly enjoyable on a hot summer day, providing a refreshing break from the heat!
15. Homemade finger paint
What could be more entertaining for a toddler than playing with vibrant finger paint? You won’t have to worry about harmful ingredients, thanks to this homemade paint recipe from Tinkerlab. Kids will explore color mixing while thoroughly enjoying themselves making messy art. Enhance the fun by using squeeze bottles for the paint!
16. Pom Pom Soup
Are you a fan of pom pom balls? Consider mixing them with water. I’m serious! This offers a distinctive twist on a sensory favorite – but rest assured, the pom pom balls dry out flawlessly afterward.
17. Toy Cleaning Station
Water provides a sensory experience! It seems almost too simple, don’t you think? Have your children clean their toys in soapy water for one of the easiest (and tidiest) sensory activities available.
18. Bubble Foam Sensory
This is the result of combining bath soap and water using a blender or mixer. Seriously: this is a game-changer. All you need is soap and water (coloring is optional).
19. Mud Kitchen
Mud provides a sensory experience (are you amazed?). While mud kitchens are incredibly popular at the moment, you don’t need to invest in an expensive one for kids to enjoy themselves.
20. Water Pouring Station
We’ve covered this before, but it’s worth going over again. Water is a sensory experience, and nothing captivates kids like learning to pour in this top-notch activity.
21. Oatmeal Sensory Bin
You can experiment with oatmeal as a base for your sensory bin. Your child will be amazed and proclaim it the most enjoyable sensory activity he/she has ever encountered.
22. Oobleck Sensory
It’s simply a mix of cornstarch and water. It won’t leave stains and won’t get all over your furniture. It’s an excellent choice (and it’s a non-Newtonian substance that acts like both a solid and a liquid). Oobleck is definitely worth trying.
23. Kinetic Sand
Children absolutely adore kinetic sand. It’s a soft sand that won’t get into your eyes or scatter everywhere. It’s purchased from the store—making it a bit easier for you to get!
24. Colorful Ice
While some folks stash frozen meals in their freezers to avert chaos, I fill mine with vibrant ice cubes. It really enhances your knowledge of how to quickly create an amazing sensory play in minutes.
25. ABC sensory table
This idea from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds is a wonderful method to teach colors, letters, and numbers. Simply fill a tub or a large baking dish with colored foam letters, along with a variety of scoops or containers for your children to enjoy. They’ll develop their early literacy and counting abilities while engaging in sensory play.
26. Soapy sensory jars
Repurpose an empty plastic container, such as a peanut butter jar, to create a sensory jar that will delight your toddler. Half-fill the jar with water, then add soap and food coloring. For extra flair, you can even include glitter! Your toddler will be enchanted by the way the food coloring and soap froth together as they shake and roll the jar. Learn more at Hands On As We Grow.
27. Homemade sandcastles
Does your toddler adore the beach, but it’s winter or raining outside? No worries! Taste of Home® provides instructions for crafting sandcastles indoors with your child. This is an ideal project for those moments when you need a gentle reminder that warmer, sunny days of fun are on the horizon.
28. Treasure chest
Give new life to your old baby wipes containers and food jars by creating a sensory treasure chest! Use gold spray paint to turn the container into an enchanting treasure chest, and transform the food jar lids into shiny gold coins. Fill it with sand and hide some treasures for your little one to unearth. For more details, check out I Can Teach My Child!
29. Homemade drums
The Kids Activities blog shows you how to craft homemade drums using tin cans, balloons, and rubber bands. Involve your toddler in assembling a complete drum set and place different items—like rice, marbles, or beans—on top to showcase how sound is produced. They’ll have a fantastic time exploring the sounds and watching the objects bounce as they strike their drums.
30. Smelling bottles
Introduce your child to the wonders of scent by making these smelling bottles featured on Things to Share & Remember. Use empty spice bottles or other repurposed containers. Place a cotton ball in each bottle along with a few drops of various essential oils to create unique scents. From vanilla and cherry to cucumber and peppermint, your toddler will enjoy discovering their favorite fragrance
31. I-spy bottles
This sensory activity elevates the classic I Spy books! Just fill an empty plastic bottle with rice and add a few hidden treasures for your child to find. Some fun suggestions from the Because I Said So blog include dice, pennies, buttons, or marbles. Encourage your child to shake the bottle until they uncover each item on their list!
32. Rainbow/Rice
There’s nothing quite like rainbow rice for a stunning sensory experience. It’s surprisingly simple to create and can last between 3 to 5 years when kept in a sealed container. How many other playthings provide years of entertainment? Many caregivers and parents choose sensory bins. All you need to do is pick up a shallow container and fill it with safe-to-touch, scoop-and-explore things.
33. Alphabet squish
Make learning letters exciting with a squishy twist using this idea from I Can Teach My Child. All you need is shaving cream, liquid glue, and alphabet stickers to form delightful, puffy “letter clouds.” Once done, call out a letter and challenge your child to squish the corresponding cloud.
34. Outdoor listening activity
Many of the best toddler activities are simply about letting them experience what adults do every day. Fantastic Fun and Learning highlights a simple yet impactful activity: take a walk and listen to nature.
Engage your toddler in the calm fun by guessing what sounds they will encounter on the back of a paper plate—each time they hear one of their predictions, they can fold that section over. Will they hear everything they anticipated?
Did anything surprise them? This is a wonderful activity for exercise, prediction, and enhancing listening skills. If you seek more engaging activities for preschoolers, check out Spring Activities for Preschoolers for imaginative ideas to keep them busy and learning.
35. Goopy fun
Children will have a blast playing with this homemade, gooey mixture! Utilizing kitchen utensils allows toddlers to engage with the goop in even more imaginative ways. They’ll refine their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they use utensils to scoop, spread, and manipulate the vibrant goop.
What Your Child Gains from Sensory Play
- Enhancing skills for independent play
- Mathematical abilities (understanding capacity)
- Engaging in imaginative and dramatic play.
- Acquiring life skills (pouring, scooping, and transferring)
- Improving fine motor skills
- Learning through tactile experiences fosters self-control skills.
The Take-Home Tip
Sensory play is a powerful way to help toddlers grow and learn. These easy sensory play activities for toddlers keep them engaged, happy, and learning every day. You don’t need expensive toys—simple household items work wonders. Try different textures, sounds, and movements to make playtime exciting. Hands-on fun builds confidence and supports brain development.
Managing the chaos that comes with having a toddler is just a part of life. Transform those messes into learning opportunities with these easy sensory play activities for toddlers designed for toddlers. Utilize these suggestions to provide meaningful educational experiences for your little ones.
You might even find it enjoyable to participate in the fun! If you have a passion for developing learning activities for young children, it could indicate that a career in early childhood education is in your future.
We hope these easy sensory play activities for toddlers inspire you! Try them today and see the joy on your child’s face. Share these ideas with other parents and caregivers so more kids can benefit. Let’s make learning fun for every toddler!