Sensory Activities

Multi-sensory activities encourage children to interact with the world in several ways, using touch, sight, sound and taste, often all in the same activity!

Madilyn at Build-a-Bear

Play, Sensory Activities

Build-a-Bear Workshop: A Multi-Sensory Experience!

Ivan went to Build-a-Bear with his friend Madilyn and they had a great time building bears! This is a perfect activity for kids with special needs.

A girl comparing two bags

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Tactile Comparing Bag

Are you looking for ways for your blind child or student to experience tactual exploration in a safe, confined space? Then let me show you how to make your own...

Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Sensory Activities

How to Organize a Sensory Nature Scavenger Hunt

Get your kids outside! Here's a list of nature sensory scavenger hunts along with a few tips and tools to entice every kid to get out and discover nature.

Ivan on swing

Behavior, Sensory Activities

8 Calming or Stimulating Sensory Activities for Kids with Sensory Impairment

Find a list of of sensory activities along with ways to make them more calming or more alerting and information about which sensory system they target. Try them out and...

Ivan's hand in the snow table

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Sensory Snow Table!

Here's a fun sensory-friendly activity that is great on a snow day! Let your child explore snow and temperature with their own sensory snow table.

a birthday present for Ivan

Sensory Activities

Give the Gift of a Sensory Activity!

Looking for a great present for a blind or visually impaired child? How about giving them the gift of a sensory activity! Learn how to make (and give!) homemade edible...

stackable sound blocks

Sensory Activities, Toys

Make Your Own Stackable Sound Blocks!

Find out how to make your own stackable sound blocks out of Gerber baby food containers. They are easy to make and fun to play with!

Sensory Activities, Toys

Make Your Own Bead Container

Ivan's Occupational Therapist suggested finding simple activities he could do that would require him to use one hand to stabilize while the other hand is engaged. Making a Bead Container...

Ivan playing with slime

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Nontoxic Slime!

This is a super simple recipe for homemade nontoxic slime. It's perfect for kids who tend to put things in their mouth while they play because it's safe! It's still...

girl in ball pit

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Ball Pit!

Making your own ball pit at home is a great way to entertain the kids on a cold winter day. It's also a wonderful multi-sensory activity for special needs kids!

Victor and his quilt

Sensory Activities

A Quilt of Many Textures

Cindy King writes about creating a quilt of many textures for her son Victor who is blind. He loves all the different types of fabric! Cindy will also make a...

shapes hidden in sugar

Sensory Activities

Sugar Search Sensory Activity

Hide toys and shapes under sugar then use a paint brush to find them. This is a fun and easy sensory game - and find tips on how to make...

Ivan picking up a cup and playing his tactile matching game

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Tactile Matching Game

Ever thought about making a tactile matching game? This is a great activity for blind children. All you need is a collection of cleaned plastic snack cups and a few...

Handmade sponge ball

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Sponge Ball!

Just take a sponge, cut it up and tie the pieces together to make a sponge ball... and now you have a fun toy to play with in the bath...

baked cotton balls

Sensory Activities

Baked Cotton Balls Sensory Activity

Looking for a project that's sticky, messy, crunchy, soft and scented all in one? Making baked cotton balls is such an easy activity plus it's great fun for a rainy...

Ivan in the garden

Sensory Activities, Visual Impairment

Gardening with a Blind Child

Gardening is a very hands-on endeavor and children with visual impairments need the opportunity to get their hands into as many different real-world activities as possible, so how about starting...

Ivan found a balloon!

Sensory Activities

Make Your Own Textured Balloon Activity

Here's an easy activity that is fun and great for fine motor development and tactile discrimination: fill balloons with different textures from the kitchen (like rice or flour) and squeeze...

kids in horticultural therapy class

Sensory Activities

Horticultural Therapy

What is horticultural therapy and what are the benefits for blind or visually impaired children? We'll explain what the therapy is and give you a few fun ideas so you...

Sound Eggs Sensory Activity

Sensory Activities

Sound Eggs Sensory Activity

Fill each egg with a different object to make different sounds when you shake them. Fill your eggs in pairs so you can play a matching game!

Blind child touching a sensory board

Sensory Activities, Visual Impairment

Creating Sensory Activity Centers for Blind Children

Learn how to make an activity center for children with visual impairments. Using general hardware materials (like cardboard or peg-board) and other household items (like toys or kitchen utensils) you...

Life-Size Shoots and Ladders Game

Sensory Activities, Visual Impairment

Activity Bank: Sensory Activities for Kids who are Blind

Find sensory activities that have been adapted to meet the needs of students who are blind or visually impaired.

Ivan with his sticky box

Behavior, Sensory Activities

Overcoming Tactile Sensitivity with a Sticky Box!

Collect sticky and gooey toys and throw them all in one box. You'll create a sensory toy that will help your child learn to love sticky things.

puffy paint

Sensory Activities, Tactile Arts and Crafts

Puffy Paint Art Project

Learn how to make a puffy paint sensory art project with your blind child. It's easy and fun!

Ivan playing with his scented rattle

Sensory Activities, Toys

Make Your Own Scented Rattle!

It's so easy to make a rattle for your blind baby that also has its own unique smell. Teach your baby about cause and effect with the sound while you...