This website uses cookies to ensure that you have the best possible experience when visiting the website. View our privacy policy for more information about this. To accept the use of non-essential cookies, please click "I agree"
Children with sensory differences ... painting the world beautiful.
Sensory Diet Sensory Break Ideas For Children
Jeanette Loftus
Children who have Sensory Processing Disorder should have sensory breaks throughout the day to keep them regulated. They need to maintain their 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.
Sensory breaks are an important part of a child's daily routines especially those who have sensory processing disorder.
These breaks allow children to regulate their sensory input and help them stay focused and engaged in activities throughout the day.
Sensory breaks are a part of a child's sensory diet that is carefully planned by your child's occupational therapist. They are a sensory schedule of activities that help children with sensory processing disorder.
Using a visual timer or visual schedule are helpful so that your child knows what the planned for their day, sensory breaks will be and for how long. Give your 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.
The duration and how often your child needs their sensory breaks can be different for each child. Some children may need short breaks more often but other children may only need a few longer breaks throughout the day. It is important to observe your child’s behavior and mood to determine the appropriate time for their sensory break.
It is important to understand what sensory breaks are and how often they should be included in your child’s daily routine. Sensory breaks are short periods of time typically lasting a few minutes during the day that your child engages in sensory activities that stimulate their senses.
Their sensory breaks can be both calming and energizing, depending on the level of arousal your child needs. They are designed to provide a sensory reset for the child, allowing them to better participate in activities.
The idea of a sensory diet was first introduced by occupational therapist Patricia Wilbarger in the late 1980's. A sensory diet is a set of sensory activities that can help children with sensory processing disorder regulate their responses to sensory input. It is like a balanced meal but for your child's body. A sensory diet provides a balance of sensory input that helps your child stay regulated throughout the day.
These activities provide a strong tactile input to the body, which can be calming for some children. Examples of deep pressure activities include weighted blankets, bear hugs, or squeezing a stress ball.
Physical activities such as jumping jacks, wall push-ups, or animal walks (crab walk, bear crawl, etc.) can provide much-needed movement breaks for children who struggle with sensory regulation.
Filling a small container with various textures, such as rice, beans, sand, or water beads, can be a great sensory break for children. They can run their hands through the materials, explore with different tools, or hide objects for a fun and engaging experience.
Playing soft and soothing music in the background can help children relax and focus during sensory breaks. Classical music, nature sounds, or white noise can all be beneficial.
Small handheld objects that provide sensory stimulation, such as stress balls, squishy toys, or textured objects, can be helpful for children during sensory breaks.
Sensory breaks should be for each child’s specific sensory needs and preferences. Parents should work closely with their child’s occupational therapist to create a sensory diet that works best for them. Sensory breaks should be included in a child’s daily schedule. These breaks can help children stay focused and regulate their emotions.
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 Processing Disorder Parent Support
Sensory Processing Disorder Resources
Supporting, learning, sharing and growing together.
DISCLAIMER: I have learned a lot over the years but I am still learning. Always do your own research and exercise sound judgment. I am not an occupational therapist or a physician. 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 or medical professionals give you. These are just ideas 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 awareness and support purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another because all children have different sensory needs. Please always consult with a professional.
Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links on my website. Each of your purchases through links on my website for Amazon affiliation links or sponsored links support me but no additional cost to you so thank you. I appreciate it so much! I am not responsible should you buy anything from any links on this website.