When my girls were babies I went hardcore, no holds barred, sensory play 24/7 with them. I was obsessed! I even started a play group just so that I could think of more ways to give babies and toddlers sensory experiences. As a result, I have a pretty big arsenal of great sensory ideas and activities you can do with your little ones. I put them together all in one place in an attempt to make things a bit easier to find. I’ve categorized them too. From Mushy Gushy Sensory Play to Science Sensory Play to everything in between. I hope this is helpful! Sensory play is a fantastic way to help kids explore their worlds, stimulate the senses, and create little inquisitive explorers. Have fun with those little guys in your life. Mine are now 2 and half and almost four. We still get our sensory on but now are able to get into a little more process art. Click here to check out 50 plus art projects you can do with your three to five year olds. A master process list post is coming soon too!
Rainbow Waterbead Sensory Bags
Rainbow Shampoo for Dinosaurs
Rainbow Ooblek
Dinosaur Tar Pit Slime
Ice Cream Dough
Feet Painting Disco Party
Rainbow Jello Sensory Play for Toddlers
Homemade Rainbow Play Dough
Nature Soup Water Play
Waterbeds for toddlers
Shaving Cream Paint Mixing
Christmas Cloud Dough – but really anytime cloud dough
Slimy Pumpkin Fun
Rainbow Spaghetti and Meatballs
7 Layer Play Dough Birthday Cake
Building Clay Structures with Toddlers
Puffy Ribbon Clouds
Baby Rainbow Waterbeds
Sensory Boxes and Sensory Boxes part 2. This is my most popular post. Ever. Of all my posts.
Sensory Waterbead Bags
DIY Sensory Bean Bags
Puffy Ribbon Clouds
Rainbow Spaghetti Play Group
Rainbow Spaghetti 2
Baby Water Beds
Two Ingredient Edible Baby Safe Paint
Painting on Plexiglass
10 AMAZING Sensory Art Projects for Toddlers
Painting Wall
Evolving Canvas for Toddlers
Water Balloon Painting
Tie Dyed Paper Towel Art
Spin Art Rocks
Toddler Masterpiece Canvas Art
Paint and Stencils on the Light Table
Shape Painting
Veggie Prints
Best. Play. Date. Activity. Ever.
Marbled Milk Painting
Science Lab For Kids
5 Favorite Invitations to Play for Toddlers
Recycled Animal Drop Box
Wood Working With Your Toddler
Dying Wood Beads with Your Toddler
Melted Crayon Art
Horse Racing
Poking on Styrofoam
Build a Box Tower
Car Wash
Water Bead Play
Fairy Soup
Lickable Wallpaper
If you have any questions or can’t find the one you were looking for, please email me. I’m happy to help. If you are looking for even more ideas, I contributed to these ebooks that are both full of great ideas you can do with your kids. Thanks for reading along! xo Meri
What a great post!! I didn’t even went through the entire list and we are already doing a sand dough this morning. My toddler is having so much fun! Thank you very much Meri, I’m your big fan!
yay!!! Thanks so much Anna. I’m so happy to hear this and excited to meet you!
I do love your ideas. You are so enthousiastic ! I learn a lot with all your website and you give me ideas for my job (I work with 12-24 months babies).
Excuse my english : I’m french and I write from France (Burgundy). Keep on giving us pleasure and happiness !!
Catherine
Bonjour Catherine! Yay. Thank you so much for your kind message. I really appreciate it. Thank you!!!
gracias por el material que comparten son excelentes para trabajar con los niños con baja vision y ciegos
De nada!
Love these ideas! I’ve tried some out with my 15months old girl but all she wants to do is bite and eat everything! How do I get her to play more and chomp less? 😂
Give her time. It will happen : )
It’s great suggestions !! Thanks.
Great! Thank you so much!
Hi there, these are wonderful! Thank you so much.
I thought you should know, the link to Water Bead play takes me to the Car Wash invitation to play x
Hello!
I am a new mom, my Little Man is 3 months old. I am trying to figure out how to keep him entertained while he learns. I tried the Cloud Dough, it didn’t quite reach a good consistency. I’m looking forward to trying more of your projects!
Hi Kacy. Thanks for reading along. Your little guy is very young. Sounds like he has lots of sensory fun ahead of him. Have fun!
This could not have come at a better time, thankyou so much!! I really needed some sensory ideas for my 3 year old, you really open up endless possibilities <3
So glad to hear it!