Engaging in sensory activities can be a beneficial way to stimulate and regulate the sensory system. In this post, we will explore a large variety of activities for a Sensory diet for autism. These activities help individuals explore different sensory experiences, engage their senses, and promote sensory integration. Whether you’re looking for proprioceptive, tactile, vestibular, auditory, or visual activities, there are numerous options available to cater to individual preferences and needs. Here is an expanded list of sensory activities with a variety of options:
- Proprioceptive Activities:
- Pushing a heavy cart or trolley
- Carrying a weighted backpack
- Engaging in yoga poses and stretches
- Jumping on a trampoline
- Squeezing stress balls or therapy putty
- Doing wall push-ups
- Using a therapy ball for exercises
- Jumping jacks or skipping rope
- Tug-of-war with a resistance band
- Pushing against a wall or doorframe
- Tactile Activities:
- Playing with kinetic sand or playdough
- Exploring various textures with a sensory bin
- Engaging in finger painting
- Playing with textured sensory balls
- Doing a calming hand massage with lotion
- Playing with squishy sensory toys
- Exploring different fabrics or textiles with hands
- Doing fingerplays or hand rhymes
- Using textured brushes or massage tools on the skin
- Sensory finger painting with scented or textured paints
- Vestibular Activities:
- Swinging on a swing
- Spinning in an office chair
- Going on a carnival ride
- Doing somersaults or cartwheels
- Balancing on a balance board or wobble cushion
- Going on a swing set with different types of swings (e.g., tire swing, hammock swing)
- Rolling or crawling on the floor
- Standing on a balance board or balance disc
- Playing on a rocking horse or rocking chair
- Spinning in a spinning chair or spinning in circles with arms outstretched
- Auditory Activities:
- Listening to calming music or nature sounds
- Using noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments
- Engaging in singing or vocalizations
- Participating in sound-based relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing with calming music
- Enjoying a quiet space with minimal auditory stimulation
- Listening to calming or classical music
- Playing with musical instruments like drums or a keyboard
- Participating in singing or humming exercises
- Engaging in sound discrimination activities (identifying different sounds)
- Engaging in auditory attention games (e.g., “Simon Says” with auditory instructions)
- Visual Activities:
- Engaging in coloring activities with various colors
- Doing visual tracking exercises with a finger or an eye tracker
- Watching colorful light displays or lava lamps
- Creating visual art projects like collages or mosaics
- Participating in visual scavenger hunts or visual puzzles
- Exploring sensory bottles with different colors and glitter
- Creating a vision board with colorful pictures and visuals
- Doing visual tracking exercises with a light-up toy or moving objects
- Engaging in visual discrimination activities (matching colors or shapes)
- Watching calming nature videos or visual animations
Sensory diet for autism | Home-based sensory activities that can be easily done from the comfort of your home:
- Sensory scavenger hunt: Create a list of items with different textures, smells, and colors for the individual to find around the house.
- Homemade sensory bin: Fill a container with rice, dried beans, or water beads and add small toys or objects for the individual to explore and manipulate.
- DIY relaxation jar: Fill a clear, plastic bottle with water, glitter, and a drop of food coloring. Secure the lid and shake gently to create a calming visual effect.
- Sensory cooking: Involve the individual in cooking or baking activities that engage their senses, such as kneading dough, tasting different ingredients, or smelling fresh herbs and spices.
- DIY sensory bottles: Fill empty water bottles with a variety of materials like rice, beads, or buttons. Secure the lids tightly and encourage the individual to shake and explore the different sounds and textures.
- Indoor obstacle course: Set up a safe and age-appropriate obstacle course using pillows, cushions, tunnels, and other household items to provide opportunities for climbing, crawling, and jumping.
- Sensory storytelling: Choose a favorite book and enhance the reading experience by incorporating sensory elements. For example, provide scented markers for smelling different scents mentioned in the story or use textured materials to represent different objects.
- Sensory art projects: Engage the individual in sensory-focused art activities, such as finger painting, using textured materials like sand or fabric in collages, or creating artwork using scented markers or paints.
- Sensory-friendly movie night: Create a cozy and calm environment for a movie night with dim lighting, comfortable seating, and soft blankets. Provide popcorn or other snacks with a variety of flavors for a taste sensation.
- Calming sensory space: Set up a quiet, dedicated area in the house where the individual can retreat to when feeling overwhelmed. Include soft lighting, comfortable seating, calming scents, and soothing sounds like nature sounds or gentle music.
Remember to consider the individual’s preferences, comfort level, and specific sensory needs when selecting home-based activities. Adjust and tailor the activities as necessary to create a positive and engaging sensory experience.
