Why Sensory Play Is Great for Toddlers: Tried & Tested Sensory Play Activities for Children

As @tireddubaimom on Instagram, I am a huge advocate for screen-free activities. I’ve personally navigated the intensity of screen-time tantrums and know the major impact it has on a child’s learning and development. That conviction is what drives my enthusiasm for helping children develop through sensory play.

My Personal Experience with Sensory Play Activities

I have seen my toddler engage more with Sensory bins than with any expensive, battery-operated toy I’ve ever bought her. The level of focused, independent play she achieves is unparalleled.

 Whenever I post a sensory bin activity for children, most comments I get are: “It’s so messy!” or “How long does cleanup take?” And yes, it’s true, it is messy, but the developmental payoff makes it worth it.

 What is Sensory Play and Why Toddlers Need it

Sensory play is any activity that engages a child’s five senses: touch, sight, smell, sound, and movement, allowing children to explore. If your toddler is glued to screens, sensory play activities are the perfect alternative. My daughter now chooses the "rice game" over the tablet or TV (though it took consistent work and a complete screen detox first).

Some of the key changes I've seen in my child after sensory play are:

1. Emotional Resilience to Squishy and Slime-like Textures

Many parents avoid messy play for sanity’s sake, but it can hinder sensory exploration. Through tactile play like cloud dough or water sensory mats, my toddler has become open to new textures and experiences without fuss. I remember getting messages from moms telling me how their kids hate anything with a texture and asking me how my kid is ok with them.

2. Learning Essential Concepts

Sensory play helped my child learn concepts that screens can’t:

• Volume and containment: How much sand fits in a cup
• Cause and effect: Pushing water makes it splash
• Pouring and Shifting: Pouring and shifting things from one cup to another
• Problem-solving: Using spoons, scoops, or sensory stacking blocks

Scientifically Proven Benefits of Sensory Play in Early Childhood Development

Sensory play for children is not just fun; it's backed by research.

1. Cognitive Development

Engaging with sensory materials like sensory blocks or sensory balls strengthens neural pathways for learning, memory, and executive function. Sensory play promotes problem-solving and critical thinking from an early age.

Research: Exploratory sensory play is fundamental for strengthening the prefrontal cortex, which governs crucial executive function skills like planning and working memory (Source: Frontiers in Psychology).

2. Language and Social Communication Skills

Describing textures, such as squishy, gloopy, rough, smooth, helps toddlers expand vocabulary and practice expressive language. This sensory play experience is perfect for language development and social communication.

Research: Multi-sensory experiences create robust pathways in the brain, linking physical experience (e.g., touching a bumpy object) directly to descriptive vocabulary and improving social communication skills (Source: NAEYC; Developmental Science).

3. Support for Autistic Children

Sensory toys such as sensory chew toys, fidget balls, and sensory mats are great for children on the autism spectrum. Many children and families use sensory toys to help regulate emotions and attention in children with sensory processing challenges.

Research: Sensory tools provide necessary input to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) effectively regulate their nervous system, leading to improved focus and reduced anxiety (Source: American Journal of Occupational Therapy; Clinical Studies).

4. Physical Development Through Sensory Play

Sensory play offers play therapy that builds natural curiosity and supports learning and development in children of all ages.

• Fine motor skills: Kneading play-dough, slime, or scooping rice refines hand-eye coordination.
• Gross motor skills: Climbing, jumping, and moving through sensory tubs improve balance and spatial awareness.
• Hand-eye coordination: Pouring, transferring objects, and sorting sensory items support early learning.

Research: Manipulating sensory materials is critical for fine motor tasks, directly supporting the development of small muscle strength and dexterity needed for future skills like writing and daily function (Source: Child Development Institute; Developmental Science).

5. Emotional Regulation and Self-Soothing

Through sensory play, toddlers learn to self-soothe and regulate emotions. Experiences with kinetic sand or sensory balls provide calming sensory input and valuable learning experiences for children. Describing textures, scents, or squishy materials also improves language skills, and sensory play allows children to express emotions and preferences without pressure.

Research: Repetitive sensory actions, like squishing or feeling textures, activate the parasympathetic nervous system, providing a calming effect that teaches children valuable self-regulation techniques and reduces stress (Source: Play Therapy Publications).

Sensory Play and Autism: Real-Life Experiences From Moms

Even with a background in psychology, what truly reshaped my understanding of sensory play for autism didn’t come from textbooks; it came from reading parenting forums, support groups, and having honest conversations with moms raising autistic babies and toddlers.

Again and again, moms shared that sensory play wasn’t introduced as a “therapy tool,” but as something they tried out of exhaustion when meltdowns were frequent, screen time felt unavoidable, and nothing else seemed to help their child engage calmly.

“It’s the only thing that helps my toddler slow down.”

Many moms described how simple sensory play activities like slime, water play, or sensory fidget toys helped their toddlers calm after overstimulation. Repetitive actions such as pouring, squeezing, or scooping provided predictable sensory input, which made their children feel safer and more regulated.

Learning through play, not pressure

What stood out most was how toddlers were learning without being pushed. Moms shared that through sensory bins, their children naturally practiced focus, cause-and-effect, and problem-solving without being asked to “perform” or follow instructions. Sensory play offered real opportunities for children to play and learn at their own pace.

Texture exploration happens slowly and that’s okay

Many moms spoke about texture sensitivities: refusing sand, grass, dough, or even certain foods. Instead of forcing exposure, they allowed gentle exploration through dry sensory bins, cloud dough, or rainbow rice. Over time, toddlers who once avoided touch began tolerating—and sometimes enjoying—new textures.

A bridge for communication in early learning

For moms of non-verbal or minimally verbal toddlers, sensory play became a powerful way to understand their child. Through reactions, repeating an activity, avoiding a texture, or showing excitement, children communicated preferences and needs. For many families, this became an important early learning tool for connection, not just play.

Across these shared experiences, one message was clear:

Sensory play doesn’t “fix” autism, but it supports learning, regulation, and connection during the most critical toddler years.

How to Make Sensory Activities for Children at Home

Here are some simple and great sensory play ideas that can help children develop creativity, regulate emotions, and explore their senses. These activities are easy to set up at home and work well for toddlers, preschoolers, and even babies with supervision.

1. Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin

What you need:

• Uncooked rice
• Food colouring or acrylic paints 
• Ziplock bag or bowl
• Tray or large container
• Cups, spoons, and scoops

How to make it:
Add rice to a ziplock bag, pour in a few drops of food colouring/paint, seal, and shake until evenly coated. Let it dry completely. Pour into a tray or sensory bin and add scoops, cups, and containers.

Why it works:
Children can scoop, pour, and mix colours while building fine motor skills and learning volume, containment, and cause-and-effect. This is a classic sensory bin that offers calming sensory input and independent play.

2. Cloud Dough or Playdough

What you need:

• Flour 
• Oil (any cooking oil works)
• Bowl
• Optional: food colouring

How to make it:
Mix flour and oil slowly until it forms a soft, mouldable texture. For playdough, you can use a ready-made recipe or store-bought dough.

Why it works:
Children can knead, sculpt, roll, and squeeze, supporting fine and gross motor skills. These sensory play activities encourage creativity and meaningful learning experiences through hands-on exploration.

3. Shaving Cream Sensory Trays

What you need:

• Shaving cream (foam, not gel)
• Flat tray or table
• Optional: food colouring

How to make it:
Spray shaving cream onto a tray. Add a few drops of colour if desired and let your child spread, draw, and explore using hands or tools.

Why it works:
This squishy, gooey activity provides strong sensory input and helps children explore textures freely. It’s especially helpful for emotional regulation and sensory processing.

4. Oobleck: A Sensory Material using Cornflour and Water

What you need:

• Cornflour
• Water
• Optional: food colouring

How to make it:
Mix cornflour and water slowly until it feels solid when pressed and liquid when released.

Why it works:
This taste-safe, squishy texture allows babies and toddlers to explore safely while discovering colour mixing and sensory play in a low-risk way.

5. Construction Worker-themed Sensory Bin

What you need:

• Cornflour
• Cocoa powder
• Oil
• Construction toys

How to make it:
Mix ingredients until you get a crumbly, mouldable texture.

Why it works:
Perfect for building and sculpting, this mix supports fine and gross motor skills while offering a rich sensory experience.

6. Ocean Theme Sensory Tub 

What you need:

• Water
• Blue food colouring
• Cups, spoons, toy sea animals, or boats

How to make it:
Tint water lightly blue and add tools and toys for scooping and pouring.

Why it works:
Encourages cause-and-effect learning experiences and imaginative play in a safe, mess-friendly setup.

7. Ice Sensory Activities

What you need:

• Ice cubes or frozen toys
• Food colouring
• Toy hammer or spoon

How to make it:
Freeze toys in ice cubes. Let children paint on ice, rescue toys, or tap gently to release them.

Why it works:
Ice play introduces temperature changes, patience, and problem-solving while offering a wonderful sensory experience for children.

Where to Find Sensory Play Toys and Kits

1. Start Simple at Home

You don’t need expensive kits. Use DIY sensory toys like:

• Rice, lentils, or sand
• Cups, spoons, and containers can be used to make a sensory experience for children.
• Cardboard boxes for sensory exploration

Start small to understand what your child enjoys: dry play, messy play, or fine-motor tasks.

2. For Busy Moms who need ready-made Sensory kits

Consistently sourcing and managing sensory play toys can be overwhelming. Ready-made sensory play kits often feel too basic or expensive.

I experimented with sensory play equipment for home to create kits that are:

• High-quality
• Engaging
• Reusable
• Thoughtfully designed to reduce mess

The kit is currently in progress and will be available soon, making sensory play easier, less stressful, and more consistent for busy moms.