Isn’t there something magical about the feeling of soft sand slipping between little fingers or the squishy, cool sensation of play-dough as toddlers knead and mould it into all sorts of shapes? Sensory play, especially touch-based activities open up a world of discovery for young children, helping them connect with their surroundings and develop essential skills in the most fun way possible.
If you’re a parent looking to introduce sensory play into your child’s daily routine, this guide is for you. Touch-based sensory activities are simple, engaging, and perfect for toddlers between 1 and 5 years old. Get ready to watch your little one’s eyes light up as they explore textures, shapes, and all the wonderful sensations that the world has to offer.
Why is Sensory Play Important for Toddlers?
Before diving into the fun, let’s talk about why touch sensory play is so essential for young children’s development. Toddlers are naturally curious, and their hands are their primary tools for exploring the world. When they touch different textures, whether it’s squishy, soft, rough, or even sticky—they’re not only having fun, but they’re also learning important life skills.
- Developing fine motor skills: Grasping, squeezing, pinching, and rolling help improve hand-eye coordination and muscle control.
- Building cognitive skills: As toddlers interact with different textures, they learn about cause and effect (like what happens when they squeeze play-dough or pour sand) and experiment with their world.
- Emotional regulation: Certain textures, like the coolness of wet sand or the smoothness of fabric, can have a calming effect, helping toddlers manage their emotions.
How to Set Up Touch-Based Sensory Play at Home?
The best part about touch sensory play is that it can happen anywhere. You don’t need a lot of fancy materials to get started. In fact, many of the best activities come from everyday household items. Ready to get your hands a little dirty? Here’s how to set the stage for some amazing sensory experiences.
1. Create a Sensory Play Station at Home
The first step is to find a designated sensory play area. This could be a small space in the living room, a section of the kitchen floor, or even a large tub or sensory bin on a table. By creating a specific place for these activities, your toddler will know that it’s playtime, and you’ll have a place to contain the mess (because yes, sensory play can get a little messy!).If you have a sensory play mat, that’s even better! Lay down a soft, washable surface to catch any spills, and get ready to explore.
2. Gather Simple Sensory Materials
Next, gather materials that are safe and easy for toddlers to explore with their hands. Here are a few items you can find around the house:
- Sand: Nothing beats the feel of sand between tiny fingers. You can create a small sensory bin filled with sand or even take your toddler outside for a bit of real sand play. If you’re indoors, kinetic sand is a great option for tactile exploration—it molds easily and feels soft but isn’t messy.
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Play-dough or Clay: This is a classic sensory material that can be moulded, squished, and stretched. Make your own play-dough at home with just a few ingredients or buy some store bought dough. Toddlers love the squishy feel of it in their hands.
(One great option is Miniture's slimy sand, which is moldable while providing a slimy stretch.)
- Water: A basin of water can be one of the most soothing and engaging sensory experiences. Let your child splash, pour, or dip their hands in for hours of tactile play.
- Rice, beans or peas: These tiny, smooth objects are perfect for filling a sensory bin. Your toddler will love feeling the small grains between their fingers, scooping them with cups or spoons, and learning about different textures. For a taste safe, fun sensory play option, explore Miniture’s rainbow rice!
- Fabric Scraps: Different fabrics like soft cotton, and silky satin offer a wide range of tactile experiences.
3. Incorporate Touch-Based Sensory Play into Everyday Life
Sensory play doesn’t need to be reserved for a specific time of day. It can easily be incorporated into your toddler’s everyday routine. You’ll be amazed at how many opportunities for touch-based learning are hiding in plain sight.
- During Bath learning: Add some bubbles, bath toys, or a few kitchen sponges for your toddler to squeeze and explore while they’re in the tub. It’s the perfect way to combine relaxation and sensory fun.
- In the Kitchen: Let your toddler help with activities that involve different textures. Let them squish the dough while making chapati, pat down some while preparing dinner or explore the feel of flour, sugar, or corn-starch or beans.
- Outdoor Play: There’s no better place to experience nature’s textures than outdoors. Let your toddler dig in the dirt, feel the grass between their toes, or even explore the sand at the park.
4. DIY Sensory Bins for Toddlers
Sensory bins are one of the easiest and most versatile ways to engage your toddler in touch-based play. All you need is a large container or bin and a sensory material to fill it. Add in some small toys, scoops, or other items to enhance the experience. Here are a few fun and simple ideas:
- Sand and Sea Creatures Bin: Fill a large bin with sand and add plastic sea animals, shells, and a small cup for scooping. This is a great way for toddlers to explore the texture of sand while learning about ocean life.
- Play-dough with Natural Objects: Roll out some play-dough and offer natural objects like leaves, twigs, and flowers for your toddler to press into the dough. This combines tactile exploration with creativity.
- Shaving Cream Sensory Play : Shaving cream is soft, squishy, and incredibly fun to touch. Lay down a plastic sheet or a tray and squirt a generous amount of shaving cream onto it. Let your toddler spread it around, squish it, and even draw shapes or letters in the cream. It’s a soothing, tactile experience that’s also great for hand-eye coordination.
- Water Play with Sponges : Fill a small basin with water and add a few sponges. Let your toddler squeeze, dip, and wring out the sponges. This activity not only introduces them to the feeling of wet and dry textures but also helps improve their grip strength.
- Textured Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around the house or yard, encouraging your toddler to find different textures. You could ask them to find something soft (like a blanket), something rough (like a rock), or something bumpy (like a pinecone). As they touch each object, describe the texture to them to enhance their vocabulary.
How Can Sensory Play Kits Make Touch-Based Learning Easy and Fun?
While sensory play is easy to do at home, sometimes it’s nice to have a little extra help—especially when you want a stress-free sensory experience. That’s where touch-based sensory play kits come in handy.
There are sensory play kits designed specifically for toddlers, filled with safe and engaging materials that help develop touch-related skills. Each kit includes carefully selected items like sand, clay, rice, and sensory-friendly tools that your toddler will love exploring. It’s the perfect way to introduce new textures without the hassle of gathering everything yourself. Plus, these kits are designed with little hands in mind, so they’re easy to use and safe for young children. Not having to scour your pantry or garage for sensory materials, and instead having a box filled with everything you need at your fingertips to give your child the ultimate sensory experience would be very handy!
At Miniture, we aim to come up with time efficient ways to make play time fun for your little one. Our Sensory Play Kit and the Art & Craft Kit are sure to provide a seamless experience to make playtime fun and filled with learning based activities!
Sensory Play Tools
A toddler’s mother and the owner of a Flexdesk was curious why her child spent more time playing and engaging in sensory play on the Flexdesk at our stall in an exhibition than at home. The credit goes to our sensory play tools that were part of the play setup. The tools provide completely new and fun ways for the toddler to play and interact with the sensory setup, such as transfer activities, pretend play activities and many more. Our Sensory Play tools are also designed with little hands in mind, so they’re easy to use and safe for young children.
Sensory Play is Worth It and Here’s Why
Sensory play, particularly touch-based activities, is a beautiful way to help children explore, learn, and grow. The best part is that sensory play can be done with just a few simple materials or a ready-made sensory kit.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab some sand, play-dough, or even water and start exploring the wonderful world of touch-based sensory play today!
For learning-based activities, sensory play activities, parenting tips and guidance - visit 'Miniverse' by Miniture!
