Sensory Activities for Toddlers
To view the lesson plan for the activity, click on the activity name.
Baking Soda & Vinegar dropping (KDIs: 3, 12, 22, 24, 35, 37)
Source:
Pintrest.com
Materials:
Pan
Baking soda
Vinegar
Food coloring
Dropper or spoon
Activity:
Fill the pan with baking soda. Place vinegar mixed with food coloring in small bowls for the child. Drop the colored vinegar into the baking soda.
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Pintrest.com
Materials:
Pan
Baking soda
Vinegar
Food coloring
Dropper or spoon
Activity:
Fill the pan with baking soda. Place vinegar mixed with food coloring in small bowls for the child. Drop the colored vinegar into the baking soda.
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Bath Time for Dollie (KDIs: 3, 22, 36)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 181
Materials:
Pan of water
Bar of soap
Washcloth
Towel
Washable doll
Activity:
Sa to the child "This baby is dirty, She needs a bath, let's wash her. Then stay close and see if the child knows what to do.
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Simple Steps, page 181
Materials:
Pan of water
Bar of soap
Washcloth
Towel
Washable doll
Activity:
Sa to the child "This baby is dirty, She needs a bath, let's wash her. Then stay close and see if the child knows what to do.
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Coloring Bubbles (KDIs 3, 12, 22, 24, 25, 32, 35, 37)
Source:
mommasfunworld.com
Materials:
Water
Soap
Food coloring
Activity:
Mix the soapy and water to make lots of bubbles. Drop in food coloring and play and mix and enjoy.
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mommasfunworld.com
Materials:
Water
Soap
Food coloring
Activity:
Mix the soapy and water to make lots of bubbles. Drop in food coloring and play and mix and enjoy.
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Floating Islands (KDIs: 3, 10, 22, 28)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 180
Materials:
Water table or Large dishpan
Shaving cream
Waterproof smocks
Activity:
Put a few inches of water in the table. Squeeze in mounds of shaving cream. Let the children enjoy playing with these floating islands.
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Simple Steps, page 180
Materials:
Water table or Large dishpan
Shaving cream
Waterproof smocks
Activity:
Put a few inches of water in the table. Squeeze in mounds of shaving cream. Let the children enjoy playing with these floating islands.
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"Fluffy Stuff" (KDIs: 3, 12, 22, 24, 29)
Source:
playcreateexplore.com
Materials:
2 boxes Cornstarch
1 can Shaving cream
Activity:
Mix and allow the child to explore and play.
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playcreateexplore.com
Materials:
2 boxes Cornstarch
1 can Shaving cream
Activity:
Mix and allow the child to explore and play.
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"Ghost Mud" Sensory Tub (KDIs: 3, 12, 13, 22, 24, 29, 37)
Source: http://happyhooligans.ca
Materials:
Ivory soap
Water (1 cup, warm)
Toilet paper roll
Activity:
Grate the soap into the water until melted and mushy. Rip and shred the toilet paper to small pieces. Mix the soapy water and toilet paper together to make the "mud".
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Materials:
Ivory soap
Water (1 cup, warm)
Toilet paper roll
Activity:
Grate the soap into the water until melted and mushy. Rip and shred the toilet paper to small pieces. Mix the soapy water and toilet paper together to make the "mud".
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Magnet Discovery Table (KDIs: 3, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35)
Source:
teachpreschool.org
Materials:
Magnets
Tin cans
Other metal and magnetic items to experience
Activity:
Place the items on a table and let the child explore and experiment freely.
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teachpreschool.org
Materials:
Magnets
Tin cans
Other metal and magnetic items to experience
Activity:
Place the items on a table and let the child explore and experiment freely.
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Object Washing (KDIs: 3, 22, 36)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 183
Materials:
Bar of soap in a soap dish
Small scrub brush
Wash cloth
Towel
Water in a small bucket or dish tub
Activity:
Invite the child to wash the object you put out. You could show the process once, if you feel it is necessary. Let the child take all the time he wants and allow as many repetitions as he wants.
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Simple Steps, page 183
Materials:
Bar of soap in a soap dish
Small scrub brush
Wash cloth
Towel
Water in a small bucket or dish tub
Activity:
Invite the child to wash the object you put out. You could show the process once, if you feel it is necessary. Let the child take all the time he wants and allow as many repetitions as he wants.
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Paint Bag Writing (KDIs: 3, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35, 37)
Source:
lets-explore.net
Materials:
Paint
Freezer ziploc bag
Optional: Q-tips or other things for the child to "write" with.
Activity:
Place the paint in the bag, seal well. Place it on a table, and allow the child to play and write in it.
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lets-explore.net
Materials:
Paint
Freezer ziploc bag
Optional: Q-tips or other things for the child to "write" with.
Activity:
Place the paint in the bag, seal well. Place it on a table, and allow the child to play and write in it.
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Pom Pom Tactile Table (KDIs 3, 12, 22, 24, 29)
Source:
theseedsnetwork.com
Materials:
Pom poms (assorted sizes and colors),
Large tweezers or tongs,
Buckets or bowls
Activity:
Put a bunch of pom poms in your tactile table. This will give them opportunities to develop their pincher grasp (fine motor) and learning how to use tools such as tweezers or tongs. Extend their learning by incorporating math concepts by providing bowls for them to sort the pom poms by size or color.
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theseedsnetwork.com
Materials:
Pom poms (assorted sizes and colors),
Large tweezers or tongs,
Buckets or bowls
Activity:
Put a bunch of pom poms in your tactile table. This will give them opportunities to develop their pincher grasp (fine motor) and learning how to use tools such as tweezers or tongs. Extend their learning by incorporating math concepts by providing bowls for them to sort the pom poms by size or color.
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Rainbow Slime (KDIs: 3, 12, 22, 37)
Source:
tottreasuresnorthbay.com
Materials:
1.5 cups clear Glue
1.5 cups Liquid startch
Food coloring
Activity:
Mix the clear slime, separate into bowls to color with food coloring. Allow child to play freely.
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tottreasuresnorthbay.com
Materials:
1.5 cups clear Glue
1.5 cups Liquid startch
Food coloring
Activity:
Mix the clear slime, separate into bowls to color with food coloring. Allow child to play freely.
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Sandbox Play (KDIs: 3, 10, 22, 29, 36)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 182
Materials:
Clean, loose sand (at least 6" deep)
Various accessories
Activity:
Let the child play and experiment freely. Parallel play appropriate things if a new experience.
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Simple Steps, page 182
Materials:
Clean, loose sand (at least 6" deep)
Various accessories
Activity:
Let the child play and experiment freely. Parallel play appropriate things if a new experience.
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Sensory Play "Snow" (KDIs: 3, 12, 22, 29, 35)
Source:
Notimeforflashcards.com
Materials:
Flour (4 cups)
Baby oil (1/2 cup)
Activity:
Mix and play freely.
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Notimeforflashcards.com
Materials:
Flour (4 cups)
Baby oil (1/2 cup)
Activity:
Mix and play freely.
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Seven Layer Density Column (KDIs 3, 12, 24, 27, 35)
Source:
stevespanglerscience.com
Materials:
Light Karo syrup
Water
Vegetable oil
Dawn dish soap (blue)
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
Honey
Food Coloring or True Color Coloring Tablets
Food baster
Activity:
Pour the liquids into a sealable container. Make sure the containers do not touch the sides. Pour in the following order:
Honey
Karo syrup
Dish soap
Water
Vegetable oil
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
Let the children play with the sealed container, seeing how the liquids separate, even after mixing.
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stevespanglerscience.com
Materials:
Light Karo syrup
Water
Vegetable oil
Dawn dish soap (blue)
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
Honey
Food Coloring or True Color Coloring Tablets
Food baster
Activity:
Pour the liquids into a sealable container. Make sure the containers do not touch the sides. Pour in the following order:
Honey
Karo syrup
Dish soap
Water
Vegetable oil
Rubbing alcohol
Lamp oil
Let the children play with the sealed container, seeing how the liquids separate, even after mixing.
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Sink or Float? (KDIs 3, 12, 22, 24, 26, 32, 35)
Source:
notimeforflashcards.com
Materials:
Various toys, cups, and sponges
Activity:
In the water play, using various other objects, invite the child into a discussion of what things sink and what float. Invite them to make guesses about the object before placing it in the water, and observing what happens after.
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notimeforflashcards.com
Materials:
Various toys, cups, and sponges
Activity:
In the water play, using various other objects, invite the child into a discussion of what things sink and what float. Invite them to make guesses about the object before placing it in the water, and observing what happens after.
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Slippery Bumps (KDIs: 3, 22)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 184
Materials:
Plastic bubble pack sheet
Tape
Petroleum jelly
Activity:
Tape the bubble pack sheet to the table top, bumpy side up. Put a glob of petroleum jelly in the middle. Invite the children to spread the jelly over the surface.
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Simple Steps, page 184
Materials:
Plastic bubble pack sheet
Tape
Petroleum jelly
Activity:
Tape the bubble pack sheet to the table top, bumpy side up. Put a glob of petroleum jelly in the middle. Invite the children to spread the jelly over the surface.
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Stick-it-on Picture (KDIs: 3, 22)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 177
Materials:
Contact paper
Cardboard
Tape
Lightweight materials (Fabric scraps, Leaves, Yarn)
Activity:
Tape the contact paper to the cardboard, sticky side out. Seat the child in front of the stick paper where he can easily reach it. Let him feel the stickiness, and show how to place the material on it and make it stick. Say "You do it."
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Simple Steps, page 177
Materials:
Contact paper
Cardboard
Tape
Lightweight materials (Fabric scraps, Leaves, Yarn)
Activity:
Tape the contact paper to the cardboard, sticky side out. Seat the child in front of the stick paper where he can easily reach it. Let him feel the stickiness, and show how to place the material on it and make it stick. Say "You do it."
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Tape Nature Bracelets (KDIs 3, 12, 22, 24, 28)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 199
Materials:
Masking tape
Activity:
Make a bracelet for each child, sticky side out. As you go on a nature walk with the children, or just play on the playground let children put dried flowers, leaves, seeds, etc on the sticky side of the tape.
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Simple Steps, page 199
Materials:
Masking tape
Activity:
Make a bracelet for each child, sticky side out. As you go on a nature walk with the children, or just play on the playground let children put dried flowers, leaves, seeds, etc on the sticky side of the tape.
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Things Buried in the Sand (KDIs: 3, 22, 28, 37)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 189
Materials:
Sand in sensory table or outdoors
Small toys
Activity:
Ahead of time, bury the objects in the sand. Let the children "discover" them as they play.
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Simple Steps, page 189
Materials:
Sand in sensory table or outdoors
Small toys
Activity:
Ahead of time, bury the objects in the sand. Let the children "discover" them as they play.
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Washing Dishes (KDIs: 3, 22, 36)
Source:
Simple Steps, page 186
Materials:
Two plastic dish tubs
Warm water
Plastic dishes
Dish soap
Dish rag
Dish scrubber
Dish drainer
Smock or apron for child
Activity:
Put a few inches of warm water in each tub and add dish soap to one of them. Show the child the sequence of washing dishes: put the "dirty" dishes in the soapy water, wash one at a time, rinse, put in the dish drainer. Invite the child to do it.
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Simple Steps, page 186
Materials:
Two plastic dish tubs
Warm water
Plastic dishes
Dish soap
Dish rag
Dish scrubber
Dish drainer
Smock or apron for child
Activity:
Put a few inches of warm water in each tub and add dish soap to one of them. Show the child the sequence of washing dishes: put the "dirty" dishes in the soapy water, wash one at a time, rinse, put in the dish drainer. Invite the child to do it.
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