The Best Sensory-Seeking Activities for Kids (2024)

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Is your child constantly on the move and never seems to sit still?

Sensory-seeking kids crave just what their name implies. They want to touch, feel, see and taste unusual things. Learn about how to give your children the sensory experiences they crave with these sensory-seeking activities for kids.

The Best Sensory-Seeking Activities for Kids (1)

What does it mean if a child is sensory seeking?

Sensory-seeking behavior can look like a child who is constantly on the move and is climbing, jumping, or banging on everything. Some children crave this input more than others.

When sensory-seeking behaviors turn into challenges is when a child is constantly on the lookout for this type of sensory input and is not getting it.

This could look like constantly putting things in their mouth, even items that are not safe. It could look like bouncing or wiggling in their seat during seated work in a classroom. Or it could look like making noise or constantly craving loud noises.

These behaviors turn into sensory challenges when a child cannot function in doing their everyday activities until these sensory needs are met.

Some common sensory-seeking behaviors look like this:

  • mouthing non-food objects and exploring textures such as chewing on pencils orclothing
  • unusually high volume in their voice
  • needs to touch everything (brushing along walls while walking, picking up everything)
  • seeks out physical contact and touch
  • the need to fidget in order to focus or when bored
  • explores objects by smelling
  • craves certain smells or textures
  • craves jumping, crashing, pushing, pulling, bouncing, or hanging
  • craves spinning or swinging
  • has difficulty standing still, is constantly moving (fidgets)

You can read more aboutsensory seeking vs. sensory avoiding behaviors here.

How to help a sensory-seeking child

The best way to help a child who is sensory-seeking is to provide the sensory input they are craving. There are eight main types of sensory input.

  1. Gustatory – the sense of taste
  2. Tactile – the sense of touch
  3. Sight/Visual – the sense of sight
  4. Olfactory – the sense of smell
  5. – the sense of hearing
  6. Proprioception – sensory input from the muscles and joints
  7. Vestibular – the sense of balance
  8. Interoception – sensory input from systems inside the body

You can read more aboutall 8 sensory systems here.

The three big sensory systems that you will often see involved with sensory-seeking behaviors are tactile, vestibular input, and proprioceptive input.This does not mean you won't see sensory-seeking behaviors with all eight, it just means that those three are the common ones that Occupational Therapists will address first.

If you suspect your child is dealing with sensory challenges, talk to your child's doctor and asked for an Occupational Therapy evaluation. Occupational Therapist practitioners who are trained in sensory integration will be able to help give you a personalized plan and help address any concerns you have with your child's sensory challenges.

What are sensory-seeking activities?

Sensory-seeking activities are activities that help children meet the sensory input needs they have throughout the day. Generally speaking, proprioceptive and vestibular input can have a calming effect on many children who are sensory seekers.

Providing activities that address these two sensory systems will often get you the biggest bang for your buck, so to speak.

If your child needs lots of sensory input throughout their day and has a hard time participating in everyday life activities such as school, they may benefit from a “sensory diet”. Sensory diets are planned activities put into a child's day to help them meet their sensory-seeking needs. Sensory diets should be planned by an Occupational Therapist who can best assess your child's sensory needs and help you put an individualized plan into place.

Sensory diets can be used in the home or classroom. It is important to have carry-through in the classroom and at home for sensory diets to really work well. Working with an Occupational Therapist who can assess your child and really figure out what their sensory needs are is key.

As a parent or educator, there are things you can do to help your child or student who needs extra sensory input throughout the day.

Sensory-seeking activities for kids

Let's look at some specific ideas for sensory seeker kids. Below each activity, you'll find what sensory systems are best targeted with each activity.

1 || Sensory Bins

Target sensory system: tactile, proprioception

Sensory bins are amazing for sensory seekers, especially those who are constantly craving things to touch and feel. You can adapt these sensory bins to your child's or student's interest, along with fun themes in the classroom.

Some of my favorite sensory bins are below:

With sensory bins, you will want to set up some rules and boundaries around them. Our rule was if items inside started to be thrown intentionally outside the bin, then it was time to clean up.

Also placing the sensory bin in a bathtub/shower, on a large sheet, in a small toddler swimming pool, or outside can also help to minimize the mess and clean up. And definitely involve your child with taking care of their bins and clean up.

2 || Tactile Sensory Play

Target sensory system: tactile, proprioception

These activities can include anything that would be considered messy play like

  • shaving cream
  • playing in the mud outside, or making your own mud
  • doing finger paint activities
  • playing with play dough (make your own here)
  • sand
  • slime – make your own slime recipe here

3 || Jumping

Target sensory system: vestibular, proprioception

Jumping can include crash pads, using a mini trampoline, going to a jump park, jumping on outside playgrounds, etc.

Our favorite mini trampoline is here.

4 || Controlled spinning – swings

Target sensory system: vestibular

Swinging and spinning are great for sensory seekers, however, you want to still look for signs of sensory overload. Even sensory seekers can still have sensory overload, they just might be able to handle more input before reaching their limit.

If you aren't sure what signs to look for, check out my post here for signs of sensory overload.

5 || Classes like Gymnastics or Martial Arts

Target sensory system: vestibular, proprioception, tactile

Classes like gymnastics or martial arts are a great way for sensory seekers to get the added input they need through movement in many different planes. It's also a great way for them to learn motor planning and muscle control in order to complete the various activities and moves in these classes.

6 || Scooter boards

Target sensory system: vestibular, proprioception

I loved using scooter boards in the hallways at schools or at home. In our home we have them set up in our basement.

You can set up an obstacle course with them or use them in gross motor games. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Scooter board obstacle course
  • Winter-themed scooter board obstacle course

7 || Deep pressure input

Target sensory system: proprioception, tactile

Things like massage, giving arm squeezes, rolling up in a blanket, or laying under a weighted blanket are great ways to get deep pressure input. This can be especially helpful with helping children calm their bodies before bed.

You can read more about weighted blankets here.

8 || Sucking through a straw

Target sensory system: proprioception, tactile, gustatory

Sucking through a straw gives great proprioceptive input through the mouth and jaw. Many times children who are constantly chewing on items need additional oral input. Having your child suck through a straw for liquids can help give the additional input they may be craving and seeking.

9 || Pillow forts

Target sensory system: proprioception, vestibular, tactile

Building any type of fort is an excellent way to get proprioceptive input. My kids have been building all kinds of shelters in our backyard with leftover wood or sticks in our yard.

If you don't have a large outdoor area, the next best thing is a pillow fort! Grab all the pillows from your house and start building. And of course, the best part is jumping into them and knocking them down, and building again!

10 || Jumping into a pile of leaves, snow, or sand

Target sensory system: proprioception, vestibular, tactile

Raking up the leaves or moving the snow or sand into a pile before jumping into the pile of leaves is even better!

11 || Chewing gum

Target sensory system: proprioception, tactile, gustatory

Chewing gives amazing proprioceptive or heavy work for the jaw and mouth. If your child has sensitive teeth or issues with cavities, talk to their dentist before offering chewing gum consistently.

If you have a child who is putting things in their mouths or chewing/biting on items throughout the day, offering gum can help them get the proprioceptive input they are craving through the mouth and jaw.

12 || Providing fidgets

Target sensory system: proprioception, tactile

Fidgets, whether hand or mouth fidgets, can be a great option for many children. It is important to remember that fidgets are a tool, not a toy however, and should not be disruptive to others or themselves. It may take some time to figure out which fidgets are best for different situations.

Here are some of my favorite fidgets to try first:

13 || Heavy work activities

Target sensory system: proprioception

Heavy work is another term you will often see to describe proprioceptive input. Heavy work can have a calming and organizing effect on many children.

Here are some heavy work ideas at the links below:

  • Heavy Work Activity Ideas for Home
  • Heavy Work Activities Ideas for the Classroom

14 || Crawling through tunnels

Target sensory system: Proprioception, vestibular

Crawling is not only beneficial for babies, it's a great way for children of all ages to get proprioceptive input. Setting up tunnels encourages children to get on all fours, getting input through their arms and legs. It's also beneficial for gross motor skills such as motor planning, core strength, and bilateral coordination.

15 || Wheelbarrow walking

Target sensory system: proprioception, vestibular

This classic activity is great to use in a group obstacle course, minute to win it style game, or school gym activity.

16 || Animal walking

Target sensory system: proprioception, vestibular

This activity is great for your younger sensory seekers in the toddler and preschool age group. It can also be a great group activity. Here are some animal walk resources below.

17 || Yoga

Target sensory system: proprioception, vestibular

Yoga is one of my favorite ways to help sensory seekers, especially when they need a brain break or need to get some energy out before seated work. It is excellent for learning how to control their bodies and there are so many fun yoga videos and activity cards out there for kids now.

Two of my favorites for Yoga are listed below:

What are some activities that you have noticed your sensory seekers gravitating towards and liking? Share your ideas in the comments below!

You May Also Like:

  • The Best Activities for Proprioceptive Input
  • The Best Toys and Games for Heavy Work
  • The Best Activities for the Tactile System

The Best Sensory-Seeking Activities for Kids (3)

Heather Greutman, COTA

Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based OT services for preschool through high school. She uses her background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies for parents, educators, and therapists. She is the author of many ebooks including The Basics of Fine Motor Skills, and Basics of Pre-Writing Skills, and co-author of Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators.

The Best Sensory-Seeking Activities for Kids (2024)

FAQs

What to do for a sensory seeking child? ›

Sensory Seeking Activities
  1. Use an Air Cushion. Use an air cushion for movement while your child stays seated during school work.
  2. Pushing and Pulling Activities. Have your child perform work activities like pushing a shopping cart, carrying groceries, or pulling a wagon.
  3. Playing on the Playground. ...
  4. Swinging.
Jun 22, 2018

What are the best activities for sensory avoiders? ›

TIPS & TRICKS FOR SENSORY AVOIDERS
  • Try using a weighted blanket to help facilitate calm.
  • Play soft soft music with a slow rhythm.
  • Provide an area with little sensation. For example, a cozy corner or other set apart area that contains soft pillows, low light, soft music, and soothing toys.
Oct 17, 2020

What are the substitutions for sensory seeking screams? ›

Other items to explore include: simple household items or toys (such as a balloon that you slowly let out the air making a squeal sound or a pan with a wooden spoon), instruments (such as xylophones, bells, drums), or PVC pipes (as a 'toobaloo' substitution).

What are proprioceptive activities for kids before bed? ›

The child may be overstimulated because the activities are not calming. Incorporating slow proprioceptive input into the bedtime routine can be helpful, such as crawling with a weighted lap pad or performing slow-motion movements. Massage or deep pressure can promote relaxation along with slow proprioceptive input.

Can kids grow out of sensory seeking? ›

In the majority of people, sensory issues resolve on their own, or become significantly milder and less interfering as a child grows,” explains Wendy Nash, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist.

What does sensory seeking look like in the classroom? ›

Sensory seeking: What it is and how it looks

Most sensory seekers are undersensitive to input (this may be referred to as “hyposensitivity”). They look for more sensory stimulation. Kids who sensory seek may look clumsy, be a little too loud or seem to have “behavior issues.”

How do you stop sensory behavior? ›

Limit screen time and use sensory resources like chewelry and fidget toys to help appropriately tame sensory seeking behaviors. See if you can work toward appropriate sensory integration, especially activities that involve being with another person.

Can a child be sensory seeking and not autistic? ›

No, sensory seeking is not always a sign of autism.

How to tell if your child is sensory seeking? ›

Common symptoms of sensory seeking include:
  1. Watching as others move around the room.
  2. Constantly touching people or objects.
  3. Being unable to sit still.
  4. Constantly being on the go.
  5. Jumping, spinning, or rocking.
  6. Fidgeting with anything within reach.
  7. Frequently picking at fingers.
  8. Taking risks on the playground.
Dec 27, 2021

Is stimming the same as sensory seeking? ›

As part of their play or other activities with a sensory component, children may also exhibit hyperfocus, which is sometimes referred to as "sensory-seeking" or "stimming" behaviors.

How to fix low registration? ›

Top 5 Activities To Address Low Sensory Registration
  1. Vestibular Input And Inversion. Create moments that challenge the senses with activities such as swinging, jumping and running on a therapy ball. ...
  2. Alerting Oral Motor Input. ...
  3. Visual Input. ...
  4. Fast-Paced Music and Metronome Activities. ...
  5. Use Different Scents And Smells.

What is a sensory diet? ›

A sensory diet is a group of activities that are specifically scheduled into a child's day to assist with attention, arousal and adaptive responses. The activities are chosen for that child's needs based on sensory integration theory.

How do you help a sensory seeking child fall asleep? ›

White noise or soft instrumental music is also a great tool. Sometimes a humidifier works as well. If possible, have the child sleep in their own space...even creating a nice cozy cave in a big walk in closet or possibly in a play tent filled with pillows and blankets is a great place for sleep.

What is sensory seeking a symptom of? ›

The Symptoms of SPD

Therefore, sensory processing disorder is categorized as either “sensory seeking” or “sensory avoiding.” A child with SPD will often move towards their senses which creates an overload of stimuli even if it may be too much. The child will then avoid the sensory input that is causing them distress.

How to help oral sensory seeking child? ›

General oral activities to help children oral sensory seekers include:
  1. Musical instruments such as a harmonica, or recorder.
  2. Whistles.
  3. Party blowers.
  4. Bubble blowing – you can use bubble straws for children who can't use regular wands.
  5. Drinking drinks through a straw.
Apr 17, 2019

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