25+ Sensory Activities for Toddlers That Inspire Wonder!

Every day is a learning experience for toddlers. They pick up words, learn about colors and numbers, and experience so many new things. While new experiences are great, they can sometimes be overwhelming. That’s why sensory experiences are so helpful: They help parents introduce things in a controlled way. These 25+ sensory activities for toddlers are the perfect way to keep the kids engaged and learning.

Want more information on a specific idea? Just click the activity title above each photo and it will take you to the original article with instructions and more info!

Bugs and Grass Sensory Bin by Crafty Kids Play

Learning about bugs has never been more fun! With all the different textures and elements in this sensory bin, your toddlers and preschoolers will be entertained for hours.

Bee Sensory Bin by Crafty Kids Play

This article will show you the easiest way to dye chickpeas to make your own bee-themed sensory bin at home! Whether you’re learning about the honey bee or bumble bee or even the bee life cycle, this bee sensory bin is so much fun for little learners.

Flower Playdough Mats by Crafty Kids Play

Squish, poke and roll your playdough into flower shapes with these 10 free printable flower-themed playdough mats. These flower playdough mats are a beautiful and fun way to help your little one practice his or her fine motor skills while playing!

Bird Nest Sensory Bin by Crafty Kids Play

This bird nest sensory bin idea isn’t just great for spring, it’s helpful for practicing your kid’s pre-math skills too. Encourage children to count the number of birds in each nest. You can start with simple counting for younger children and progress to more complex scenarios, such as counting the total number of birds in the entire sensory bin.

Rainbow Sky Sensory Bottles by Kids Craft Room

This sensory bottle is full of bright colors and fluffy clouds, which will engage the senses. Toddlers will also love the rainbow bands.

Preschool Vegetable Garden Sensory Bin by The Inspiration Edit

Kids can practice their gardening skills with these play veggies in black bean “dirt.” Mixing in a small amount of coffee beans also adds a smell aspect to the sensory experience.

Arctic Sensory Bin by Little Ladoo

This Arctic sensory bin is a great way to introduce kids to Arctic animals and their habitats. With a little foam, some animals, and a few other things, kids can have loads of Arctic fun.

Bee-Themed Sensory Bin by In the Playroom

This adorable bin is all about bees and is a surefire hit with toddlers. The high-contrast visuals are great for still-developing eyes.

Ice Cream Sensory Bin by Little Bins for Little Hands

Kids love ice cream, so this one is a no-brainer. A cute ice cream playset will give them hours of fun making desserts for everyone.

DIY Season Sensory Bottles by Finding Myself Young

This isn’t just one sensory bottle idea; it actually includes four. Not only will this give kids a great sensory experience, but it will also offer an opportunity to learn about the seasons.

Ocean Themed Sensory Play by Natural Beach Living

Here’s a fun little activity that uniquely lets kids play with sea creatures. Freeing them from the ice will give kids an objective to achieve while having fun.

Volcano Sensory Bin by Taming Little Monsters

Most little kids love dinosaurs, so this one will be a hit. The volcano also adds touch-related experiences.

Bug Sensory Bin by Fireflies & Mud Pies

This sensory activity for toddlers is an entertaining bin idea that simulates a garden of bugs. The dried beans are an excellent dirt substitute that won’t make a huge mess.

Peanut Butter & Jelly Edible Slime by The Soccer Mom Blog

Slime is a must-have for kids of all ages. But with toddlers, eating their playthings is always a concern. This peanut butter and jelly slime is made to be edible, so it doesn’t matter if they have a little taste while playing.

Glow in the Dark Sensory Bottle by Mom Wife Busy Life

One thing about most of these sensory activities is that the available light limits them. Kids can play with this one when it’s dark, so the fun doesn’t have to end when the sun goes down.

DIY Rainbow Spaghetti Noodles For Sensory Play by Made in a Pinch

Sensory spaghetti is an excellent option for kids who love to play with their food. This rainbow-dyed spaghetti is bright and colorful, perfect for play.

How to make Fake Snow for Sensory Play by Simply Full of Delight

This fun snow dough is an excellent way for kids to have some snow play. It’s gluten-free but not taste-safe, so make sure they don’t try any.

Snail Sensory Bag by The Best Ideas for Kids

Here’s a very different approach to sensory experiences. Sensory bags let kids play with things that would be messy ordinarily, but they are bagged up so there is no mess. Toddlers will love this snail sensory bag!

Recycling Sensory Bin by Two Pink Peonies

It’s never too early to start learning about recycling. This fun sensory bin is filled with recyclable material so children can have fun and then recycle the materials when they are finished.

Rainbow Sensory Bag for Toddlers by Messy Little Monster

This is a fun little sensory bag option that toddlers will love. It’s bright, colorful, squishy, and foamy but with no mess.

Salt Dough Fossils For A Dinosaur Sensory Bin by Simple Everyday Mom

Kids can play paleontologist for a day with this fun sensory bin idea. See how to make salt dough dinosaur bones for little ones to find.

Transport Theme Sand Sensory Play by Picklebums

This sensory activity for toddlers uses that staple of childhood play, good old play sand. A bunch of construction toys offer them loads of things to do with this bin.

Strawberry Math Sensory Bin by Homeschool Preschool

While this bin requires some extra setup beforehand, the learning potential is worth it. Toddlers can practice counting, and older kids can use them for math.

Fishing for Letters Magnetic Sensory Bin by Life with Darcy & Brian

Here’s another great learning opportunity that is also loads of fun. Kids will love fishing for letters and can work on recognition when they catch one.

Shaving Cream Marbled Seashell Art by Fox Farm Home

It’s easy to find lots of old seashells, whether gathered from the beach or simply bought at a store. Painting them with all sorts of pretty colors is a fun sensory experience, and when finished, they make great decor.

DIY Moon Sand by Barley & Birch

Moon sand is a super fun plaything that kids will love. It’s not messy, never dries out, and can be molded and shaped endlessly.

Wrapping Up

Sensory activities are an amazing way to engage your kids in hands-on fun while helping them develop critical skills like fine motor control, problem-solving, and even mindfulness. Whether it’s digging into a sensory bin, shaking a calming sensory bottle, or getting creative with playdough mats, there’s something for every child to enjoy. Plus, these activities are easy to customize for different ages and interests, making them perfect for keeping little hands busy and little minds curious. So grab some supplies and dive into the sensory adventure!

Stick around Crafty Kids Play and check out more from our website! We have more playdough mats, free printables, sensory play ideas and crafts for kids of all ages!