50 Fun Sensory Activities for Toddlers - Taming Little Monsters (2024)

Table of Contents
Sensory Activities for Toddlers 1. Shaving Cream Sensory Bin 2. Taste-Safe Mud Sensory Bin 3. Frozen Pea Sensory Bin 4. Taste Safe Rainbow Rice Recipe 5. Water Bead Tunnels Sensory Bin 6. Rainbow Jello Sensory Bin 7. Giraffe Sensory Bag 8. Tase-Safe Rainbow Spaghetti 9. Farm Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers 10. Dinosaur Sensory Bin 11. Construction Sensory Bin 12. Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin 13. Rainbow Rice Valentines Sensory Bin 14. Valentines Pom Pom Sensory Bin 15. Flower Soup Sensory Bin 16. Spring Garden Sensory Bin for Toddlers 17. Insects Sensory Bin 18. Birds Nest Sensory Bin 19. Butterfly Sensory Bin 20. Frog Pond Sensory Bin 21. Bird Seed Sensory Bin 22. Musical Easter Egg Sensory Bin 23. Easter Bunny Sensory Bin 24. Rainbow Sand (Beach Safe Recipe) 25. Frozen Sand Sensory Bin 26. Shark Bay Sensory Bin for Toddlers 27. Lemon Sensory Bin for Summer 28. Sea Foam Sensory Bin 29. Taste Safe Beach Sensory Bin 30. Ice-Cream Sensory Bin 31. Ice Cream Sensory Bag 32. Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin 33. Sun Sensory Bin 34. Corn Sensory Bin for Fall 35. Rainbow Oats Sensory Bin 36. Apple Tree Sensory Bin 37. Jello Eyeballs Sensory Bin 38. Halloween Spaghetti Sensory Bin 39. Eyeball Soup Sensory Bin 40. Jack-O-Lantern Sensory Bag 41. Fake Snow Sensory Bin 42. Rainbow Rice Christmas Sensory Bin 43. Christmas Decorations Sensory Bin 44. Polar Animals Sensory Bin 45. Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter 46. Winter Sensory Bottles ​47. Flour Sensory Play for Toddlers 48. Monster Ice Sensory Activity 49. Bubble Wrap Runway 50. Nature Sensory Board 51. Mermaid Sensory Bin 52. Ice Sensory Bin More Play Based Learning for Kids FAQs

Categories Sensory Activities

Sensory activities for toddlers are not only entertaining, but they also play a crucial role in their overall development. Engaging children in sensory experiences helps them explore the world around them, develop their motor skills, enhance language and cognitive abilities, and regulate their emotions.

One fantastic way to provide sensory stimulation for kids is through taste safe sensory bins, sensory bags, and sensory bottles. These simple yet effective ideas are sure to be a hit with any child who loves to play.

50 Fun Sensory Activities for Toddlers - Taming Little Monsters (1)

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

Sensory Activities for Toddlers

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1. Shaving Cream Sensory Bin

Get ready to have some hands-on fun with your toddler! A shaving cream sensory bin is not only a great way to engage in messy play but also promotes creativity and sensory development. To make this activity taste safe, you can always use a can of vanilla frosting instead.

2. Taste-Safe Mud Sensory Bin

Delight your little one’s senses with this taste-safe mud sensory bin. Young children will love this fun and educational sensory experience!

3. Frozen Pea Sensory Bin

Boost your toddler’s fine motor skills with this exciting frozen pea sensory bin. Watch them have a blast while learning – so much fun awaits!

4. Taste Safe Rainbow Rice Recipe

Looking for a fun and safe playtime activity? This taste-safe rainbow rice recipe uses food coloring to make the vibrant colors, meaning that it’s suitable for kids as young as 1 year olds.

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5. Water Bead Tunnels Sensory Bin

This colorful and squishy water beads and tunnels sensory bin is a great idea for toddlers. They can explore the different textures and colors or the beads while posting them through the cardboard tunnels.

6. Rainbow Jello Sensory Bin

Get your toddler ready for hours of fun with a rainbow jello (jelly) sensory bin. Hide small toys inside the different colors for them to find as they explore with their little hands. This is a fun activity that’s perfect for toddlers, but still fun for kids of all ages.

7. Giraffe Sensory Bag

Learn how to make your own Giraffe Sensory Bag using pom poms, hair gel, a plastic bag and this free printable template. Sensory bags are a fun way to let toddlers play with different materials in a safe way, especially items that are small and would otherwise be a choking hazard.

8. Tase-Safe Rainbow Spaghetti

Bring out the smiles and giggles with this vibrant taste-safe rainbow spaghetti sensory bin. Perfect if you’re looking for sensory play ideas you can try with young kids.

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9. Farm Sensory Bin for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Explore a farm sensory bin with corn and toy animals, perfect for engaging your toddler or preschooler’s senses at the sensory table.

10. Dinosaur Sensory Bin

Engage your toddler’s sense of touch with this dinosaur sensory bin. Use pumpkin seeds and toy dinosaurs for a fun and easy tactile adventure!

11. Construction Sensory Bin

Looking for a unique way to engage your child’s senses? This construction-themed sensory bin uses taste-safe cloud dough and toy cars for a fun sensory activity.

12. Pirate Treasure Sensory Bin

Transform playtime into a thrilling treasure hunt with this pirate treasure sensory bin idea – simply hide fake coins in the sandbox! A great option for exciting sensory play and imaginative fun.

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13. Rainbow Rice Valentines Sensory Bin

Looking for sensory activities for toddlers? Immerse both younger and older kids in a fun activity this Valentine’s with this rainbow rice Valentines themed sensory bin. Perfect for little explorers!

14. Valentines Pom Pom Sensory Bin

Get ready for a heart-filled adventure! This Valentine’s pom pom sensory bin is a delightful way to engage your toddler or preschooler in sensory play activities.

15. Flower Soup Sensory Bin

Experience the magic of springtime with this easy sensory tub idea. All you need are flowers and water to make a Flower Soup Sensory Bin. How easy is that?

16. Spring Garden Sensory Bin for Toddlers

Discover the endless benefits of sensory play with this spring garden sensory bin for toddlers. Watch them explore and learn in a fun and engaging way!

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17. Insects Sensory Bin

Get ready for a bug-tastic adventure! This insect-themed sensory bin for toddlers will captivate their senses and provide hours of fantastic fun.

18. Birds Nest Sensory Bin

Discover an easy way to create a vibrant sensory bin filled with colorful paper and adorable baby chick toys. This bird’s nest sensory bin is perfect for Springtime with your little ones.

19. Butterfly Sensory Bin

Transform playtime into a magical experience! This butterfly sensory bin offers endless opportunities for sensory exploration and early learning.

20. Frog Pond Sensory Bin

Turn playtime into fun learning with a vibrant frog pond sensory bin. If you use this activity alongside the Ten Speckled Frogs Song, it will help develop counting and language development too.

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21. Bird Seed Sensory Bin

Engage your little one’s senses with this super easy bird seed sensory bin! Explore the textures using household items like cups, bowls, and a wooden spoon.

22. Musical Easter Egg Sensory Bin

Use rainbow rice and plastic easter eggs to make a musical easter egg sensory bin for toddlers. There are so many fun ways to enjoy this great sensory activity, match the colors or make your own musical instruments. You’re only limited by your imagination.

23. Easter Bunny Sensory Bin

Create a sensory adventure with this Easter Bunny Sensory Bin. Feed the eggs to the bunny and have a great time this Easter!

24. Rainbow Sand (Beach Safe Recipe)

Discover a fun and colorful way to play with your kids – try our rainbow sand recipe! Use it for a variety of different type of play and let their imagination run wild.

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25. Frozen Sand Sensory Bin

Discover the ultimate sensory play activity with a frozen sand sensory bin. Hide toys inside to melt and find for endless fun and exploration on a hot summer day.

26. Shark Bay Sensory Bin for Toddlers

Discover the captivating Shark Bay sensory bin, featuring vibrant blue rainbow sand and thrilling shark figures. Perfect for older toddlers and preschoolers.

27. Lemon Sensory Bin for Summer

Introduce your babies and toddlers to a world of sensory delight with a lemon sensory bin this summer. All you need are sliced lemons and blue water for your next round of water table play.

28. Sea Foam Sensory Bin

Looking for an engaging sensory activity for both young and big kids? Dive into this sea foam sensory bin and watch as their excitement grows while searching for hidden sea creatures under the soapy water foam.

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29. Taste Safe Beach Sensory Bin

Create a beach-themed sensory bin for your toddler! Use this taste-safe beach sand recipe to create a variety of sensory bin ideas to engage their senses and imagination.

30. Ice-Cream Sensory Bin

Looking for fun ideas to engage your toddler’s senses? This ice cream themed sensory bin is a must-try! Create lasting memories with this taste-safe sensory recipe.

31. Ice Cream Sensory Bag

This ice cream sensory bag is one of our favorite sensory activities for summer. Grab your copy of the free printable template and learn how to make your own.

32. Ocean Small World and Sensory Bin

Ignite your toddler’s curiosity with an immersive ocean small world and sensory bin activity. Let them dive into a magical realm filled with sand, water, and toy sea creatures to inspire hours of imaginative water play.

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33. Sun Sensory Bin

The next time you’re looking for easy sensory activities for toddlers, try this sun themed sensory bin. They’ll love feeling the new textures on craft sticks and playing with the yellow rainbow rice.

34. Corn Sensory Bin for Fall

Engage your toddler’s senses with this corn and fall leaf sensory bin – a great opportunity for fun and learning this Fall / Autumn!

35. Rainbow Oats Sensory Bin

Enjoy a wonderful sensory play this fall with this easy rainbow oats sensory bin for fall. The little oats even look just like tiny Autumn leaves that have fallen off of the tree. How cute is that?

36. Apple Tree Sensory Bin

Unlock your child’s imagination with this apple tree sensory bin! Made with cardboard trees and vibrant pom poms, it’s a must-have for any child’s development.

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37. Jello Eyeballs Sensory Bin

Get ready for some spooky fun! Explore the squishy texture of this edible jello eyeballs sensory bin – a perfect Halloween activity for your little ones.

38. Halloween Spaghetti Sensory Bin

Get ready for a spooktacular sensory adventure! Dive into this Halloween-themed spaghetti bin with orange noodles, creepy eyeballs, and spooky spiders. Perfect for kids who love playing with everyday objects.

39. Eyeball Soup Sensory Bin

Discover the perfect mix of eerie and entertaining with our eyeball soup sensory bin. Toddlers and preschoolers will love playing with warm water filled with creepy plastic eyeballs.

40. Jack-O-Lantern Sensory Bag

Looking for a fun and mess-free activity for babies and toddlers? This Jack-o’-lantern sensory bag is the perfect solution! Try it this October for some easy play based learning.

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41. Fake Snow Sensory Bin

Spark joy and creativity inspired by this fake snow sensory bin – a perfect winter wonderland for a variety of sensory activities and festive fun!

42. Rainbow Rice Christmas Sensory Bin

Discover the perfect combination of festive cheer and sensory play with our green rainbow rice and Christmas lights sensory bin.

43. Christmas Decorations Sensory Bin

Elevate playtime this holiday season with our sensory bin packed full of sensory materials. Unleash your child’s creativity and make lasting memories with this Christmas Decorations Sensory Bin.

44. Polar Animals Sensory Bin

Immerse your kids in the icy world of polar animals with this polar sensory bin. Watch as they learn about polar bears and penguins through play!

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45. Iceberg Sensory Bin for Winter

Explore a taste-safe winter wonderland with our edible iceberg sensory bin! Dive into the blue water and indulge in sensory play like never before.

46. Winter Sensory Bottles

Transform ordinary water bottles into enchanting winter sensory bottles. Stimulate your child’s senses with a captivating DIY project they’ll love.

​47. Flour Sensory Play for Toddlers

Discover the endless possibilities of using flour as a sensory tool for younger toddlers. Spark their imagination and keep them entertained for hours.

Photo: Hands On As We Grow

48. Monster Ice Sensory Activity

Get ready for a chilling sensory adventure with our monster ice activity! Freeze googly eyes into vibrant ice cubes for hours of icy fun.

Photo: Toddler Approved

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49. Bubble Wrap Runway

Use bubble wrap to make a wonderful sensory experience for your children’s feet. This bubble wrap runways activity is a great way to let off some extra energy and have fun.

Photo: Hands On As We Grow

50. Nature Sensory Board

Spark your child’s imagination with homemade nature sensory boards. Let them experience the wonders of the natural world through touch and play.

Photo: Fun At Home With Kids

51. Mermaid Sensory Bin

This mermaid sensory bin doubles as a fun small world play idea for toddlers. Have fun as these mermaid splash through the blue rice “water” and lounge about on some rocks.

52. Ice Sensory Bin

Toddlers will love playing with the slippery ice cubes in this sensory activity. Perfect for a hot summers day, toddlers will be able to cool down and have fun.

Are you going to try any of these Sensory Activities for Toddlers?
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More Play Based Learning for Kids

60 Sensory Activities for Kids

50 Fun Sensory Activities for Toddlers - Taming Little Monsters (2024)

FAQs

How to set up sensory play for toddlers? ›

It's simple for children to enjoy sensory play when you create a sensory bin for them to explore. To create a sensory bin, simply fill a small tub or container with objects from nature such as leaves, rocks, and sand that have different textures for your little one to explore.

How to make sensory games? ›

It's so satisfying to watch children learn and develop through various sensory play activities that are often quick, cheap and easy to create for them.
  1. Make Homemade Playdough. ...
  2. Create Pasta Necklaces. ...
  3. Try Finger Painting. ...
  4. Make a Mini Sand Garden. ...
  5. Sorting Pebbles. ...
  6. Moving Cotton Wool Balls Between Jars. ...
  7. Stacking Bricks.
Dec 4, 2019

What are sensory play activities? ›

Sensory play is any activity that stimulates our senses – touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. It helps children interact with and make sense of the world that surrounds them.

Why is sensory play important for toddlers? ›

Sensory play has an important role in your child's development. Not only does it help your child engage their five senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste—but it also boosts their language skills and motor skills. Sensory play also promotes exploration, creativity, curiosity, and problem-solving.

What is sensory play for 2 3 year olds? ›

ABC sensory table. This activity from Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds is a great way to introduce colors, numbers and letters. All you have to do is place colored foam letters in a tub or large baking dish, along with different scoops or containers for your kids to explore.

How can I help my 2 year old with sensory issues? ›

Children can also work on sensory challenges by doing chores and other activities around the house. It's an easy way to integrate sensory activities into daily life while helping them build essential life skills. Some examples include: Cooking: Have the child wear disposable gloves to roll dough or mold cookies.

What are the 5 sensory play? ›

Introducing preschoolers to the concept of the five senses at an early age is not only fun but also immensely beneficial for their cognitive and sensory development. Understanding the five senses – sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound – helps children make sense of the world around them.

What is the five senses game? ›

This free science game for kids lets students explore the concept of the five senses. Players see a brief introduction discussing the five senses and what they allow us to do. After the introduction, students are asked to identify which sense does which task.

How do you make a simple sensory toy? ›

- Use hair gel and mix with 6 parts warm water and fine glitter if you wish then pour into the bottle. Add plastic toys such as lego bricks. Put the lid on and see if the bricks move. If they don't then empty some of the liquid and add more warm water.

What is an example of sensory play observation for toddlers? ›

Sensory play for toddlers – observing light and shadow created by torch light on objects of different shapes or sizes, or watching the colours mix and the patterns form by finger painting or sponge painting (with child-safe paint)

How is playdough a sensory activity? ›

Playdough is a wonderful sensory and learning experience for children. As your child shapes the playdough into a ball or a snake, they're thinking creatively. The squeezing, pinching and pulling movements also strengthen your child's hand muscles and develop their fine motor skills.

What is a sensory bin? ›

What Is a Sensory Bin? A sensory bin is a shallow container that combines filler material and various small odds and ends. You fill the bin with a filler material such as sand or rice, then add items from around the house such as spoons or measuring cups. Let your child explore the items and have fun playing.

What is messy play? ›

Messy play is the open-ended exploration of materials and their properties. Activities like squishing clay, pouring sand, and sorting stones allow children to repeat and experiment as they like. Children are naturally curious, and messy play engages their senses at a developmental level that is appropriate for them.

Why is sensory play calming? ›

Sensory Calming Activities provide sensory input and help to meet your child's sensory processing needs. They can help your child to become calm, self regulated and less fidgety. These sensory calming activities can also reduce your child's stress and anxiety.

How do you set up a toddler playroom? ›

How to Create the Perfect Playroom for your Toddler
  1. Pick a Location. The first step in creating a playroom or play space for your toddler is deciding where it's going to go. ...
  2. Define Play Space with Playmat, Baby Gate, or Play Yard. ...
  3. Declutter and Start a Toy Rotation. ...
  4. Organize and Decorate. ...
  5. Double Check for Safety.
Nov 24, 2020

What are the rules for the sensory boxes? ›

  • USE HAND SANITIZER OR WASH HANDS BEFORE PLAY.
  • KEEP ALL ITEMS IN BIN OR ON TRAY.
  • IF ITEMS COME OUT OF THE BIN, PUT THEM BACK IN.
  • RETURN ALL ITEMS TO BIN WHEN FINISHED.
  • CLEAN PLAY SPACE AND FLOOR WHEN FINISHED.

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