Fun Sensory Ideas for Kids with Autism

Sensory play is a wonderful way for children to learn about the world around them. This is especially important for children on the autism spectrum and those with sensory processing disorder. Sensory play can be used to help children regulate their sensory system and learn how to react to different sensory input. The ideas below are some fun ideas that you and your children can do together.

Painting with shaving cream is fun for all ages. The easiest kind to work with is the foam kind, not gel. From there, the possibilities for shaving cream play are endless. For the younger children, start with a “blank canvas.” If you want to contain the mess, you can use something like an edged cookie sheet or a jelly roll pan. Some parents let their children play with shaving cream on the windows. Or, you could take it outside and play in a wading pool. Then, give each child a generous glob of shaving cream and let their imaginations take over.

What makes shaving cream a great sensory tool is the fun, squishy texture. It also has a pleasing scent. Older children might enjoy adding tempera paint and canvas paper to create art pieces. Search Pinterest and Google for other great ideas for shaving cream play.

Water beads are another fun texture that is pleasing to touch. It’s also another activity that parents can contain the mess or let it go depending on their comfort level. A medium sized storage tote makes a great playscape for water bead play. Add the water beads to the tote. Then, add water toys.  Boats, plastic sea creatures, and mermaids make fun additions to water bead play. Children will love the cool, slippery texture of water beads.

Has your child ever played with foam slime? This is another fun texture that can be great for sensory play for children. The best thing about foam slime is that you can make it yourself and store it for future play. Watch our video on how to make floam with our easy recipe and step-by-step instructions.

This sensory activity gives your kids a chance to play with their food! Assemble a collection of candy molds or cookie cutters and a few different flavors of gelatin. Find a recipe for Jello® Jigglers and prepare the gelatin according to the directions and using the molds or cookie cutters. Once the gelatin shapes are set, children can play with and eat the fun, slippery shapes.