Why Sensory Play Isn’t Just Fun; it’s Foundational

When you think of sensory play, you might picture toddlers with sticky fingers squishing playdough, preschoolers pouring sand through funnels, or kids giggling as they run barefoot through the grass. To most adults, it looks like fun, and it is fun! But sensory play is much more than messy entertainment. It’s foundational to healthy child development.

As an occupational therapist, I use sensory play every single day in my work. Sensory play is the building blocks for learning, regulation, and growth.

What Is Sensory Play?

Sensory play is any activity that engages a child’s senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, hearing, and also movement (vestibular) and body awareness (proprioception). Think of activities like:

• Finger painting

• Water tables or bath play

• Playing with kinetic sand or playdough

• Climbing, swinging, or rolling

• Exploring different textures (rice bins, fabric, grass, mud)

Children are wired to learn about their world through their senses, and sensory play gives them that chance.

Why It Matters: The Benefits of Sensory Play

1. Brain Development
Sensory play strengthens neural connections in the brain. These connections support skills in language, problem-solving, and motor planning. When children pour, scoop, squeeze, and sort, they’re actually laying the groundwork for pre-math skills and higher-level learning.

2. Emotional Regulation
You may notice how calming it is for a child to squeeze putty, rock on a swing, or listen to soothing sounds. Sensory play helps children regulate emotions, manage stress, and self-soothe. It’s especially important for children who struggle with transitions or big feelings.

3. Motor Skills
From fine motor (pinching, grasping, cutting) to gross motor (running, climbing, balancing), sensory play builds coordination, strength, and body awareness. Activities like finger painting or building with clay directly prepare hands for writing.

4. Social Skills
Many sensory play activities are naturally shared such as sand tables, water play, and playgrounds bring children together. Through this, kids learn to take turns, negotiate, and collaborate.

5. Language & Cognition
Talking about what they feel (“sticky,” “squishy,” “rough”) expands vocabulary. Categorizing, sorting, and experimenting with cause-and-effect also build early math and science thinking.

How Much Sensory Play Do Children Need?

While there’s no strict “daily requirement,” experts recommend giving children time every day to engage in sensory-rich play. For toddlers and preschoolers, this can be 30–60 minutes broken up throughout the day. For school-age children, adding sensory breaks (movement, fidgets, outdoor play) helps them focus and learn better.

Easy Ways Parents and Teachers Can Add Sensory Play

• At Home:

• Rice or pasta bins with spoons and cups

• Bath time with bubbles, cups, and sponges

• Baking together—measuring, stirring, kneading dough

• A “mud kitchen” in the backyard

• In the Classroom:

  • Sensory tables with rotating materials (beans, foam, water beads)

  • Playdough or clay stations

  • Movement breaks—yoga, obstacle courses, or dancing

  • Art activities that mix textures—paint with sponges, feathers, or natural materials

And don’t forget the simplest, most powerful sensory play of all: outdoor free play. Grass, dirt, sand, sticks, and water provide endless opportunities for exploration.

Final Thoughts

Sensory play isn’t “just play.” It’s how children build the foundation for learning, social skills, and emotional health. By giving children time, space, and freedom to engage their senses, we’re giving them the tools they need for school and for life.

So next time your child is elbow-deep in slime or mud, resist the urge to stop the mess. Instead, remember: this messy moment is shaping their brain, their body, and their future.