Our favorite tactile sensory activities make great hands-on play for kids of all ages! Tactile input is so important for children, and offers so many educational and developmental benefits. Find our best tactile activities and recipes below. Perfect anytime fun that will keep your kids busy! We love simple sensory play ideas!
Tactile Play
Tactile play is a type of play that engages the sense of touch. Some kids may be sensitive to certain textures, or materials and tactile play gives them opportunity to participate in a sensory activity.
Tactile play can be messy but it doesn’t have to be! Think about how a child explores an object with their hands, they are engaging in tactile play. Many of these tactile play ideas below are not messy on the hands!
Enjoy an amazing tactile sensory experience. You might also enjoy some of them outside for easier cleanup.
Some kids will dig right in, and some will hesitate. But everyone can have a great play experience!
Tips For The Reluctant Child
The following ideas may help your child feel more comfortable with tactile sensory activities. Always remember not to push the play if your child seems very uncomfortable and you can not find a way to make it more appealing!
- Do the mixing of ingredients beforehand for less messy play.
- If your child is hesitant to dig right into these sensory activities, give him a big spoon or scoop!
- Keep a bucket of water and towel close by to rinse hands when needed.
Fun Tactile Activities For All Ages
Cornstarch Dough
Only 2 ingredients make this homemade cornstarch dough easy to whip up and fun for kids to play with too.
Fairy Dough
A sprinkle of glitter and soft colors makes this amazingly soft fairy dough come to life!
Flubber
Our homemade flubber is similar to our liquid starch slime but it’s thicker, stretchier, and tougher.
Fluffy Slime
One of our most popular slime recipes and super fun to play with. Check out how to make the best light and fluffy slime.
Foam Dough
Just 2 ingredients, makes this fun and squishy tactile play for kids.
Kinetic Sand
If you love the way kinetic sand feels out of the box, why not make your own DIY kinetic sand at home and save! Kids love this type of play sand that moves and it works magically for a variety of ages.
Lemon Scented Rice
The fresh smell of lemons is so invigorating that you might need to make some lemonade too! Lemon scented rice is quick and easy to make.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Rice Sensory Bins
Moon Sand
Moon sand is a very simple sensory play recipe you can whip up with kitchen pantry ingredients for same day play! You may also hear this colored moon sand called cloud dough which is how we first learned about it. What I love about this sensory play idea is that it’s non-toxic, taste-safe, and easy to make!
Oobleck
Just 2 ingredients, oobleck makes for easy tactile play for kids.
Playdough
Check out our complete collection of playdough recipes, from no-cook playdough to our popular fairy dough. Homemade playdough is an easy mess-free sensory activity for kids.
ALSO CHECK OUT: 17+ Playdough Activities
Sand Foam
My favorite sensory activities are ones I can create with what I already have in the house. This super simple sand recipe uses just two ingredients, shaving cream and sand!
Sensory Balloons
Sensory balloons are fun to play with and so easy to make as well. They are surprisingly tough and can take a good squeeze.
More Helpful Sensory Resources
- The Best Sensory Bin Ideas
- 21 Sensory Bottles You Can Make
- Homemade Playdough Ideas
- Sensory Recipes
- Slime Recipe Ideas
Which tactile sensory activity will you try first?
Click on the image below or on the link for more awesome sensory activities for kids.
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