I’ve had a request to share some sensory play activities for each of the sensory needs. Tactile sensory play ideas are abundant (though I will provide some of those as well), but it can be more difficult to come up with ideas for the other types of sensory input.
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) is a complicated thing. Those with SPD can have sensory differences in one or all of the areas. They can be either sensory seeking or sensory avoidant. To complicate things further, they can be avoidant in one area and seeking in another. The general areas of sensory input that are talked about in relation to SPD are tactile, vestibular, proprioception, auditory, visual, and olfactory.
Simple sensory input definitions:
- tactile=touch
- vestibular=movement and balance
- proprioception=sensing where we are in space (think body awareness)
- auditory=sound
- visual=sight
- olfactory=smell
Tactile Sensory Activities
Montessori Inspired Colour Activities
Vestibular Sensory Activities
Tennis Ball Movement Activities
Easy Kids Obstacle Course Ideas
Proprioception Sensory Activities
Auditory Sensory Activities
Playful Ways to Work on Listening
Visual Sensory Activities
Picnic Printable for Sensory Play
Visual Stimuli in the Classroom (or home)
Olfactory Sensory Activities
Teaching Sighted Children About Blindness
Many of the activities listed above can of course fit into several different categories. It is wonderful to give your kids the chance to try activities for all sensory inputs. This will benefit both sensory seekers and sensory avoiders.
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