13 Fun Sensory Activities for Preschoolers (Quick Resets)
I know it stresses you out when your young kid suddenly melts down over something that seemed minor a moment ago, especially if you’re a first time parent.
Unfortunately, too many sights, sounds, or small changes can quickly overwhelm them whose sensory systems are still developing.
When this sensory overload hits, even the simplest routine can trigger big feelings they don't have words for yet.
That's why helping your child learn and practice calm-down skills early on can make a huge difference at home
But how can we do that?
We can help by providing them with quick play breaks that diffuse their frustration or what we call sensory play.
These brief unique sensory activities give your child's brain a chance to reset and calm down.
In this post, we will break down the 13 sensory activities for preschoolers categorized by sense:
Key Takeaways Ahead
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When young children get overwhelmed by too many sights, sounds, or changes, their developing sensory systems can become overloaded.
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Quick 5-minute sensory activities are a great way to provide your child's brain a chance to reset and calm down, helping them process overwhelming emotions before they escalate into full tantrums.
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Most sensory activities use simple household items like dry beans, empty containers, or kitchen tools.
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Many of these activities support language development and gross motor skills while calming big emotions.
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Playdough, slime, yoga poses, and bubble play are sensory play ideas that are popular for preschoolers.
How Sensory Play Activities Shapes Young Brains
From birth through the preschool years, the brain is forming millions of new connections every second.
These synapses are laid down in response to what a child experiences.
When children play with different textures or sounds, they’re lighting up a lot of neural pathways at once.
For instance, when your young kid hears the jingle of bells and touches a textured block, sensory neurons fire together and form stronger links.
Sensory input also directly supports emotional control.
Certain sensory activities for preschoolers such as squeezing a playdough or carrying a heavy box provide calming input to the nervous system by sending a signal that it’s safe for them to relax.
Over time, these repeated multiple sensory experiences build a richer, more efficient brain.
In fact, a research study states that multi-sensory learning has big benefits.
Engaging multiple senses simultaneously enhances cognitive growth and learning.
This multi-sensory wiring helps with things like language skills and reasoning.
Even something as simple as sorting colored rice in a bin exercises a child’s senses, categorizing skills, fine motor planning, and vocabulary all at once.
13 Sensory Activities for Preschoolers (Grouped By Sense)
Whether your child is sensory-seeking (craving more input) or sensory-sensitive (easily overwhelmed by input), the right sensory activities will help them reset and calm-down eventually.
Below are 13 quick at-home sensory activities grouped by sensory type.
Tactile (Touch)
1. Homemade Play Dough
Let your child play with homemade playdough created from flour and a cup of water.
Those curious little hands will love kneading and squishing the dough.
Why it works: It lets kids squeeze out frustration. The squishy texture is absorbing, so your child’s focus shifts to molding and exploring.
This type of play also builds fine motor skills (pinching, rolling) and creative thinking (building shapes or creatures) which are important skills for your child’s development.
2. Slime (Taste Safe)
Another fun sensory activity that your young kids will love is playing with slime.
While clear glue is common, you can always opt for an edible version with a DIY sensory recipe using chia seeds, water, food coloring, and corn starch instead.
Why it works: Kids can pull, roll, and bounce slime, which exercises grip strength and coordination.
The unusual feel (cool, sticky, stretchy) captures attention and can help release frustration quietly.
The unpredictable nature of how slime moves and stretches builds problem-solving skills as children experiment with different ways to handle it.
3. Sensory Bin (Safe Materials)
One of the most popular sensory play activities.
Fill a shallow container or large bins with loose materials like dry rice, beans, ice cubes, or shaving cream.
Hide small toys (like plastic animals or blocks) inside.
Let your child bury hands, scoop and pour, or search for hidden objects.
Add a few drops of essential oils for an aromatic dimension.
You can also create a sensory table with themes (ocean, construction, seasons) for much fun tactile experiences.
For non-food sensory bins, try materials like kinetic sand or fabric scraps.
Why it works: This hands-on play can be surprisingly calming as young kids focus on textures.
Digging, pouring, and sifting through materials engages hand-eye coordination, creating a sensory experience that naturally draws children away from tantrums.
It potentially builds concentration and vocabulary (talk about coarse, smooth, cold) as well.
4. Finger Painting
Finger painting is a fun activity for preschoolers making patterns with bright colors that encourages imagination and lets kids express themselves.
Why it works: Finger painting develops sensory integration by connecting touch sensations with visual processing.
The smooth, cool sensation of paint sliding between their fingers provides immediate sensory feedback which makes them relax and happy.
5. Waterplay
Set up a sensory tub (half full) with cups, spoons, and toys (even just a big bowl).
Splashing, pouring water and squeezing bubble foam are happy pills for kids.
Why it works: The gentle, flowing properties of water have a naturally soothing effect on the nervous system.
Safety note: Skip water beads and opt for washable toys instead. Many parents are avoiding water beads due to microplastic concerns and choking hazards.
Plus, the consistent sensory exploration from water is particularly grounding for children who feel emotionally dysregulated.
Movement-Based
6. Yoga Poses
Yoga poses get bodies moving in controlled ways.
For preschool teachers, try simple animal poses like cat, cow, downward dog, or scavenger hunt.
Make it fun by picking yoga cards or rolling dice to choose the next pose.
Works well with toddlers, preschoolers, and older children.
Why it works: Develops balance, coordination, and body awareness while teaching children how to move from active to calm states intentionally.
Moving slowly and breathing deeply in each pose can calm their anxiety.
The naming of poses also builds vocabulary and listening skills as children follow directions.
Visual&Auditory
7. Sensory Bottles
These are clear bottles filled with water, glitter, or small floating objects.
Big kids are particularly fond of glitter bottles. They can shake or turn them and watch the contents swirl or sink.
Why it works: The swirling, floating materials in calming bottle create a mesmerizing visual experience that naturally slows down thinking and breathing.
These predictable movement patterns are especially self-soothing for fidgety or anxious kids.
8. Freeze Dance
Play your child's favorite song and let them dance around happily.
When you suddenly pause the music, they have to freeze in whatever position they're in until the music starts again.
Why it works: Teaches your kids on how to practice self-control.
I've noticed that the sudden "stopping" actually helps kids learn how to put the brakes on their bodies when emotions are running high.
The freeze element promotes cognitive development and builds social-emotional skills, as children must quickly process the change in sound and control their movements accordingly.
9. Popcorn
Make stovetop popcorn (with supervision) and let them watch the kernels transform.
Why it works: A quick popcorn listening play can redirect a noisy or restless child’s energy into concentration.
10. Homemade Musical Instruments
Gather recycled items to make simple instruments (maracas from small stones in a jar, a rubber-band guitar on a box, tin-can drums, paper flute).
Why it works: Creating sounds with simple materials gives children control over their auditory environment which is particularly helpful for sensory sensitive kids.
You also help them develop their listening skills, rhythm awareness, and encourage social interaction.
11. Sensory Sorting
Give your child a mix of different objects (buttons, different shapes, different colors, sounds) and have them sorted by category.
Why it works: Sorting is quiet and repetitive, so it naturally calms a restless child as they concentrate on organizing things, helping them focus their scattered thoughts into a single, manageable activity.
This activity prepares children for more complex tasks by building fundamental cognitive skills as they decide how to group small items.
The process also supports early math concepts (counting pieces) and expands vocabulary (naming colors/shapes), turning an enjoyable sensory experience into valuable child development.
Breathing-Based
12. Breathing Cards
Use picture cards or prompts that guide simple breathing exercises (like “smell the flower, blow out the candle”).
These help your kids slow down their breath in a fun and easy way.
Why it works: When kids use these cards during a meltdown or before a change, it helps refocus and settle their energy by giving them a moment to pause and breathe.
Learning deep controlled breathing techniques is one of the benefits of sensory activities.
13. Bubble Play
Blowing bubbles is another calming exercise you can do to help your kid release their frustrations.
Why it works: Blowing bubbles activates their body awareness in a fun way while encouraging your child to practice deep breathing.
It boosts visual tracking, social skills, also stretches mouth muscles, and gives gentle sensory input.
Routinely use these 13 sensory play breaks to help your kids learn how to self-soothe, creating a great opportunity to make tantrums shorter and transitions easier over time.
Different Materials Needed For Sensory Activities
Most of these educational activities use various items you likely already have in your household or classroom:
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Kitchen basics: Measuring cups, wooden spoons, muffin tins, mixing bowls
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Natural materials: Dry beans, rice, pasta, flour, cornstarch
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Recyclables: Empty plastic bottles, cardboard tubes, clean food containers
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Paper products: piece of paper, old magazines, paper bags
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Craft leftovers: Yarn scraps, fabric pieces, duct tape, buttons, cotton ball
Don't feel like you need special sensory toys, kids often prefer these simple materials anyway.
Use what you have for less wasteful materials and save you money.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sensory Play
Won't sensory activities create a huge mess in my home?
Try contained play options like sensory bags (sealed ziplock bags with hair gel and small objects), sensory bottles, or bath-time play.
You can use a plastic tablecloth to avoid messy play or do them right before bath time.
Are all these fancy sensory activities really necessary for my child’s development?
No, you don't need elaborate setups.
Simple everyday activities like cooking together, playing outside, or exploring household textures provide rich sensory input.
The goal is exposing early learners to different sensations.
We're running out of sensory activity ideas. What else can we try?
Rotate through different senses.
Try movement activities like imaginative play one day, then calming activities like homemade stress balls the next.
Even simple changes like adding new things to playdough can make it feel fresh again.
I'm worried about the environmental impact of sensory materials. What are better options?
Use biodegradable materials like dried beans, rice, dry sand, pasta, or a natural sensory material like pebbles.
Create reusable sensory kits rather than single-use setups.
Focus on experiences (like shadow play or sound exploration) rather than consumable materials.
You can always explore new ways to repurpose items for sensory play.
How can I do sensory activities with limited budget, space, and time?
Repurpose household items instead of buying special materials.
Use an old water bottle, water table, or collapsible containers that store easily.
Prepare a "sensory bag" ahead of time for quick setup, and involve kids in cleanup as part of the activity.
My child puts everything in their mouth. What sensory activities for preschoolers are safe?
Try edible options like yogurt painting or taste-safe playdough made from kitchen ingredients.
For non-edible play, use sealed sensory bottles or bags they can manipulate without accessing the contents inside.
Ready To Try These Sensory Activities for Preschoolers?
These simple activities offer an effective way to help your child manage their big feelings.
Here’s our few favorites ready for preschoolers when their emotions start to bubble over:
