Festive Fun: Creative Sensory Play Ideas for the Holiday Season
Sensory play engages all five senses and is a wonderful way for toddlers to explore and learn. However, coming up with sensory activities can feel intimidating—but don’t worry! These three fun and festive activities use items you probably already have in your pantry.
1. Christmas Cookie Homemade Sensory Dough
This homemade sensory dough is soft, versatile, and easy to make. With a few simple ingredients, your toddler can dive into a holiday-themed world of pretend baking. Tip: keep the homemade dough its original color for the cookie base and use food coloring to dye some extra dough to use as sprinkles and frosting.
Christmas Cookie Homemade Sensory Dough
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- Spoon for stirring
- Gallon-sized bag or wax paper for cooling
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Salt
- 4 tsp Cream of tartar
- 2 cups Lukewarm water
- 2 tbsp Coconut oil (Or any cooking oil)
- Food coloring (Optional)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine flour, salt, and cream of tartar in a pot.
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in water and oil.
- Cook the dough: Heat over medium, stirring until it thickens into a ball.
- Cool and knead: Transfer to wax paper or a bag. Cool slightly, then knead until smooth.
- Add colors (to use as sprinkles and frosting): Divide dough into balls, add food coloring in bags, and knead inside.
- Store: Keep in airtight bags to stay soft.
2. Grinch Slime (Oobleck)
Grinch Slime, also known as oobleck, is a simple and festive sensory activity perfect for little hands.
Grinch Slime (Oobleck)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cornstarch
- 1/2 cup Water
- Green food coloring (for that Grinch-like flair)
Instructions
- Mix: Combine the cornstarch and water in a bowl and stir until it forms a slime-like consistency.
- Add Color: Mix in green food coloring for a Grinchy look.
- Play: Let your toddler explore the unique texture of the slime—it shifts from solid to liquid and back again.
3. Ice Rescue
This activity is a thrilling way to combine sensory play and problem-solving.
Ice Rescue
Equipment
- Small festive figurines
- Trays or cups
- Water
- Small spoons or shovels
Instructions
- Freeze: Place the figurines in small trays or cups filled with water overnight, leaving a part of each figurine sticking out for easy removal.
- Rescue Time: Let your toddler rescue the figurines by pouring warm (but not hot) water over the ice to help it melt.
- Interactive Tools: Provide small spoons or shovels to help them break into the ice and free the figurines.
