10 Sensory Play Ideas Recommended by Occupational Therapists

Sensory play is more than just fun—it’s a vital part of early childhood development. From improving motor skills to enhancing cognitive growth, sensory activities engage children in ways that build strong foundations for learning and independence. If you’ve ever searched for ways to support your child’s sensory needs, you may have encountered an occupational therapist, Sydney Families Trust. These professionals often use sensory play as a powerful tool in therapy—and now, you can, too.

Here are 10 engaging and easy sensory play ideas recommended by occupational therapists to try at home.

1. Play Dough and Moulding Clay

Squishing, rolling, and shaping dough strengthens fine motor skills and hand muscles. It's a favourite of every paediatric occupational therapist in Sydney, helping children with grip control and tactile sensitivity in a fun, hands-on way.

2. Sensory Bins

Fill a tub with rice, beans, sand, or pasta and hide small objects inside. Kids love digging around to find hidden treasures. It’s a great activity for sensory exploration, often recommended by any qualified occupational therapist in Sydney for children needing help with sensory processing.

3. Water Play

Water activities offer soothing sensory input, from pouring water between containers to playing with sponges. It’s also an excellent way to help children with coordination and hand-eye control.

4. Finger Painting

Messy? Yes, but it's incredibly effective. Finger painting engages multiple senses simultaneously—touch, sight, and sometimes even smell with scented paints. Many occupational therapy experts in Sydney use it to encourage creativity and improve fine motor control.

5. Sensory Obstacle Courses

Build a simple indoor or outdoor obstacle course with cushions, tunnels, or textured mats. Activities that require crawling, jumping, and balancing can help with spatial awareness and gross motor skills.

6. Bubble Popping

Who doesn’t love bubbles? Blowing and popping bubbles work on breath control, coordination, and visual tracking. It’s a low-cost, high-benefit game that an occupational therapist in Sydney often incorporates into a child’s therapy session.

7. Nature Walk and Texture Hunt

Take a walk and collect leaves, stones, bark, or feathers. Encourage your child to describe each object’s texture. This outdoor sensory activity helps children connect with their environment and stimulates language development.

8. Sound Matching Games

Use everyday household items to create different sounds—jars filled with rice, coins, or water—and ask your child to match the sound or guess what’s inside. It’s a clever way to build auditory processing and memory.

9. Sand or Kinetic Sand Play

Kinetic sand is a favourite for its soothing qualities. Children can scoop, squeeze, and mould it, which builds sensory tolerance and creativity. Many occupational therapists in Sydney suggest this activity for children who struggle with tactile defensiveness.

10. Scented Play Activities

Add essential oils or food flavours like vanilla or lemon to dough or rice. Smell is a powerful sense that’s often overlooked. Engaging in this sense can help children feel calm, focused, or even energised.

Final Thought

Sensory play is not just entertaining—it’s a cornerstone of developmental progress. Recommended by experienced occupational therapists in Sydney, these activities help children grow more confident in how they experience and interact with the world around them. Whether your child has specific sensory needs or you want to support their learning, integrating these ideas into everyday play can have lasting benefits.

If you’re noticing challenges in your child’s sensory responses or development, don’t hesitate to connect with an occupational therapist Sydney parents rely on. With the proper guidance and a little creativity, sensory play can be fun and incredibly meaningful.