Sensory Diet Activities For Children Who Have Sensory Processing Disorder
To understand what a sensory diet is, we first need to understand sensory processing disorder (SPD).
Simply put, SPD is when the sensory input received is not processed or organized accurately, resulting in the sensory information being inaccurately interpreted by the person. Leading them to not respond appropriately to the sensory experience.
Likely you've come across the phrase ‘sensory diet’ while reading about sensory processing disorder. You’ve probably figured out a sensory diet is not a food diet, but an activity diet.

A sensory diet consists of performing activities that provide specific types of sensory input to help a child regulate and learn how to process sensory input more effectively.
Sensory diets are unique to the individual and their needs. Because of this, there will be some experimentation along the way to find exactly what works for your child and situation.
It is important to connect with an Occupational Therapist trained in sensory integration so you can learn how to most successfully include a sensory diet in your child’s day.


- play with scented play dough
- scratch and sniff scented stickers
- wear essential oil diffuser necklace
- make sensory scented bottles
- chew scented bubble gum
- play with scented fidget toys
- guess the scent game
- play with scented rice sensory bin
- write with scented pens
- blow scented bubbles
- bake and cook
- use scented sensory paints
- use scented markers
- vibrating toothbrush
- blowing bubbles
- whistling
- drinking through a straw
- blowing through musical instruments
- eating crunchy snacks
- blowing up balloons
- exploring food temperatures, tastes and textures
- chewing gum
- exploring edible sensory bins
- chewing sensory chew necklace
- chewing sour candy
- blowing a pinwheel


- sensory bottles
- color matching games
- light table activities
- visual schedules
- marble mazes
- light up toys
- spinning toys
- kaleidoscopes
- catching a ball
- I spy games
- bean bag toss
- stringing beads
- liquid motion toys
- drawing pictures
- dot to dot worksheets
- water play
- shadow puppets
- bubbles
- firgets
- use noise reduction headphones
- listen to music
- play clapping games
- walk and listen to nature
- play an instrument
- listen to audio books
- use a sound machine
- shake a rice sensory bottle
- sing in a microphone
- play matching sound games
- play speaking and listening games
- storytelling
- play with sound puzzles
- dance to different music
- play telephone games
- practice heavy work activities


- rough and tumble play or play wrestling
- tug of war with rope or fabric
- crawling through tunnels and boxes
- pulling or pushing a cart or wagon
- catching and throwing a weighted ball
- wheelbarrow walking
- scooter board activities
- squishing between pillows
- squeezing stress balls
- joint compressions
- exercise (push ups, yoga, sit ups)
- rolling out play dough
- hanging from trapeze
- pulling apart resistant toys or objects
- gross motor activities
(obstacle courses or stretching)
- swinging in a hammock
- jumping on crash pad or trampoline
- bouncing on a yoga ball or teeter totter
- rolling up in a blanket
- spinning in a chair or sit n spin toy
- rocking on a rocking horse
- hanging upside down off couch, from monkey bars or from trapeze bars
- playing on toys with wheels
(roller blades, wagons, trikes or scooters)
- playground on playground equipment (slides, teeter totter, merry-go-round)
- playing gross motor games
(soccer, basketball, tag or hopscotch


- brushing different textured brushes over the skin
- drawing with chalk on the body
- massage with oils, lotions and powders
- brushing for sensory defensiveness
- rubbing different fabric textures against the skin
- drawing in sand or salt
- sensory play (water, sand, slime play dough, clay)
- finger painting
- sensory bins (rice, beans)
- face and body painting
- bubble bath and swimming
- body tattoos or stickers on the body
- deep pressure
- gardening and plating flowers
- toys with vibration
- playing in the mud
- cooking and baking
- using a weighted blanket
- ball pit
- crawling through a sensory tunnel
- water play
- dancing
- using a body sock
- yoga
- blowing bubbles
- jumping on a crash pad
- climbing
- sensory bottles
- drinking with a straw
- tossing a weighted ball
- sensory swing
- jumping on a trampoline
- bear walks
- using a scooter board
- obstacle course


- carry heavy items
- climbing activities
- swing from a trapeze bar
- tug of war
- scooter board activities
- push and pull boxes
- walk up a ramp or incline
- housework (vacuuming/mopping)
- pull a friend or heavy items in a wagon
- play wrestling
- squeeze sensory fidgets
- drink milkshake through a thin straw
- carry books in backpack
- tie TheraBand around the front of a chair
- wheelbarrow walks
- fall into bean bag chair or crash mat
- pillow fights
- bounce on a yoga ball
- play catch with a heavy ball


- increases emotional regulation
- decreased depression
- better memory
- cognitive improvements
- stronger relationships
- better physical health
- reduces anxiety and stress
- better focus and attention
- improve sleep
- better moods
- increased self esteem
- better decision making
- improved social skills
- increased feeling of calm
- improved academic performance
- increase compassion and kindness