Special Education: Top Sensory Activities for Kids at Home

Special education teachers have a lot of tools and techniques for kids who need extra help keeping up with developmental and educational milestones. They understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, but there are some things most, if not all, kids benefit from. One of those things is sensory play. Sensory experiences are critical in early childhood because they help children develop fine and gross motor skills, language skills, and problem-solving skills. Sensory play can also help some kids with emotional regulation.

Special education isn’t limited to classrooms or therapy spaces. Try these easy at-home sensory play activities to support your child’s development.

Easy At-Home Sensory Activities

Tactile Play

The version of sensory play that most people are familiar with is sensory play. Sensory play includes creating sensory bins or using tactile materials such as shaving cream or water beads. The easiest way to provide sensory play experiences for kids at home is to make DIY sensory bins. All you need is a small to medium-sized storage bin and some dry materials of different sizes and shapes. Rice, dry beans, marbles, beads, and similar objects work well. Place a mix of them in a bin and add small toys for kids to find hidden among the other materials.

Movement-Based Play

Movement-based activities are great for sensory input and gross motor development. If you have to stay inside, pillow obstacle courses are an excellent way to combine movement and problem-solving. Create dead ends or “treasures” to find along the way to encourage kids to explore the course rather than just focus on getting to the end. You can combine your obstacle course with a scavenger hunt to add another layer.

Calming Sensory Ideas

Sensory activities can also help kids calm down if they become overstimulated. Weighted blankets, soft music, and dim lighting create an environment that helps children calm down and learn to self-regulate their emotions. Quiet activities like puzzles, coloring, and sensory bottles (something else you can DIY) engage fine motor skills and also help kids calm down.

Safety Tips for Parents

Although sensory play is generally low-key, there are a few safety considerations for parents to keep in mind. When making sensory bins, use age-appropriate materials and be mindful of potential allergies when using food items for texture. Even if your child is playing quietly alone, don’t leave them unsupervised. Every parent knows their kids can get up to anything when they’re not looking.

Special Education and Early Intervention | Watch Me Shine

Our therapists, specialists, and staff at Watch Me Shine are dedicated to helping every child reach their full potential and to supporting families. By incorporating sensory activities at home, parents can reinforce their OT and speech goals and maintain consistency between school, daycare, and home.