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 











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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