Sensory Calming Activities 






Sensory Calming Activities provide sensory input and they help your child stay calm, self regulate and be less fidgety. These sensory calming activities will also reduce
your child's stress and anxiety too.
Children with Sensory Processing Disorder should have sensory breaks throughout the day to fill their sensory diet. Sensory calming activities will also help your child when they are feeling restless, anger and frustration. Sensory calming activities can also be helpful to prevent meltdowns.









1. Do stretches

2. Use fidgets

3. Listen to music

4. Do some yoga

5. Sing ABC's


7. Go for a walk

8. Ask for a hug

9. Chew gum

10. Chew on a chew toy

11. Hum or sing a song





17. Pudding play
 
18. Play an instrument and make music

19. Crawl through a sensory lycra tunnel

20. Use a yoga ball or peanut ball




21. Listen to an audiobook

22. Draw on a chalkboard and clean it 

23. Do a maze or dot to dot puzzle

24. Read a book

25. Tossing/catching weighted ball 

26. Do some deep breathing exercises

27. Rub some lotion on

28. Deep pressure massage


30. Wear sunglasses

31. Write in a journal

32. Color a picture in a coloring book

33. Draw a picture

34. Write a short story

35. Take an Epsom salt bath


37. Suck on candies


39. Bounce a ball

40. Cuddle a pet







43. Use a ball tent 

44. Count slowly forward and backwards

45. Have a bubble bath

46. Wrap up in a soft warm blanket

47. Wash hands with scented soap and warm water

48. Close your eyes

 
50. Blow on a feather

51. Play with shadow puppets

52. Focus on what you see, smell, hear, taste and touch 


54. Play with Floam

55. Brush your hair

56. Playing with clay



59. Play in a dry beans sensory bin





61. Crawl through boxes


63. Rip up tissue paper

64. Make silly faces in the mirror

65. Blow pom poms around using a straw

66. Drink a milkshake or smoothie through a straw

67. Push against a wall

68. Use each hand drawing figure 8's
 
69. Look at a liquid sensory timer

70.  Lay in a bed with a compression sheet


72. Play with jello
 
74. Play with silly putty

75. Squeeze a stress ball

76. Pop bubble wrap


78. Play with a water beads sensory bin
 
79. Create art with Wikki Stix

80. Squishing between couch pillows/cushions 




81. Look at pictures in an album or magazine

82. Blow on a pinwheel

83. Play with whip cream 

84. Lay on a bean bag chair

85. Play with play-doh


87. Squeeze or hug a stuffie or toy

88. Wear an eye mask

89. Suck on ice

90. Take a shower

91. Blow bubbles in a cup of water


93. Listen to nature sounds outside or a CD/App

94. Use a mini massager

95. Climb into a body sock

96. Play I spy 

97. Play a one player board game

98. Make a craft

99. Trace your hands with your finger

100. Blow Bubbles



102. Read with a flashlight

103. Hug someone

104. Sit in a sensory tent
 
105. Doodle on paper or whiteboard

 
107. Relax on pillows

108. Do exercises
 
109. Go swimming

110. Play with Kinetic Sand

111. Sway back and forth on a sensory platform swing

112. Give yourself a hug


 114. Use a scooter board
 

 116. Use a vibration cushion
 
117. Balance on a balance board

118. Visual calming cards

119. Slowly roll small ball over skin

120. Paint a picture or use finger paints




121. Watching a snow globe

122. Playing with rice bins

123. Roll up in a blanket burrito
 
124. Lifting mini light weights

125. Toss bean bags

126.  Play in a cooked or dry pasta bin

127. Watch a sensory bubble tube 

128. Play with sensory bubbles 

129. Talk about feelings and emotions

130. Cat's cradle 


132. Cuddle with a super soft blanket




133. Rocking in a rocking chair

134. Carrying a weighted backpack 

135. Eating a crunchy food snack (pretzels, carrots. granola)

136. Wear a weighted RelaxPack

137. Write a letter

138. Blow up a balloon
 
 
140. Use a lava lamp 


143. Play on soft play soft toys 


145. Spin on a spin toy 




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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