100 Sensory Break Ideas For Children
Children who have Sensory Processing Disorder should have sensory breaks throughout the day to keep them regulated.
They need a sensory diet regularly, even when they are not displaying the need for it.
We should not wait until they are already dysregulated to accommodate their sensory needs.
Have a visual timer and/or visual schedule so that your child knows what the planned sensory breaks will be and for how long. 2-3 minute movement break every 10-15 minutes.
Give the child warnings that the break is soon ending. Sensory breaks should accommodate your child's sensory needs. Consult an Occupational Therapist to plan a sensory diet for your child.
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.
1. Using a weighted blanket
2. Running around
3. Ball Pit
4. Yoga
5. Jumping on a crash pad
6. Climbing Stairs
7. Sensory bottles/Calm down jars
8. Drinking with a straw
9. Tossing a weighted ball
10. Sensory platform swing
11. Jumping on a trampoline
12. Bear walks
13. Jumping on bubble wrap
14. Using a scooter board
15. Obstacle course
16. Blow up balloons
17. Wearing a weighted vest
18. Using a jumping hopper ball
19. Glow sticks bath tub
20. Sliding down the slide
21. Balancing games
22. Big hugs
23. Eat sour and spicy flavors
24. Rocking
25. Stringing beads (fine motor)
26. Heavy Work Activities
27. Roller blades
28. Wagon ride
29. Teeter totter
30. Merry-go-round
31. Soccer
32. Make slime
33. Wikki Stix
34. Ball hockey
35. Hopscotch
36. Crawling through boxes
37. Pulling apart resistant toys/objects
38. Squishing between pillows
39. Push ups
40. Stretching in a sensory body sock
41. Spinning on chair with wheels
42. Rocking on a rocking horse
43. Hanging upside down off couch
44. Climbing on playground equipment
45. Play with Clay
46. Retrieving objects hidden in rice or beans
47. Face and body painting
48. Whip cream painting
49. Pudding play
50. Push furniture around
51. Sit in a big comfy sensory bean bag chair
52. Using a peanut ball
53. Using a yoga ball
54. Spinning
55. Tug of war
56. Wheelbarrow walk
57. Have a bath with bath paint
58. Using Fidgets
59. Gentle play wrestling
60. Jumping Jacks
61. Water play
62. Tickle over there skin softly
63. Sand play
64. Carrying weighted sensory backpack
65. Turn on bubble column
66. Play catch
67. Eating crunchy foods
68. Chewing on some chew toys
69. Jumping on bouncy castle
70. Hopscotch
71. Blanket Burito
72. Paint your hands with a paint brush
73. Blowing whistles
74. Chew gum
75. Play musical instruments
76. Listen to music
77. Build a blanket tent
78. Spinning on a Bilibo
79. Water Beads
80. Dancing
81.Wilbarger brushing
82. Joint Compressions
83. Blowing bubbles
84. Playing with play dough
85. Playing in shaving cream
86. Discovering sensory bins
87. Massage
88. Crab walk
89. Cuddle a house pet
90. Trapeze
91. Bubble baths
92. Tattoo/stickers on body
93. Hitting a kids punching bag
94. Sensory Vibration cushion
95. Bouncing Teeter Totter
96. Crawling through a sensory tunnel
97. Sit ups
98. Go visit an indoor sensory play park
99. Lay down with sensory lights in the dark
100. Sensory cuddle swing
Sensory Sid Activity Cards
Created by an Occupational Therapy team, Sensory Sid Activities Cards are designed to improve sensory processing and regulation. Realizing that families need a simple way to help their child with sensory processing disorder we set out to create the solution.
In just 10 minutes, these cards will guide your child through a fun, well-rounded sensory diet. The activities use common household items—no fancy therapy equipment is needed! 44 large, sturdy, fully colored, and illustrated cards
Addresses four sensory categories: vestibular, tactile, active, and passive proprioception
Simple illustrations on the front
Directions and additional activity ideas, including ways to make the activity easier or harder on the back
DISCLAIMER: I am not an Occupational Therapist. I am an adult who has Sensory Processing Disorder, a sensory parent and a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists give you. These are just ideas and information that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with SPD. If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for suggestions and informational purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different needs. Please always consult with a professional.
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