Did you know that sensory play lays an important foundation for your child’s learning? It encourages brain development, open-ended thinking, fine motor skill building, and even language learning. We’ve rounded up our favourite sensory activities for preschoolers who love to paint — all you need are a few household objects. Besides, who doesn’t love getting a little messy?
- Sensory Spice Painting
This simple activity engages the senses with fragrant spices and encourages your little one’s fine-motor skills as they mix and paint with brushes.
What you’ll need:
Paper, washable white paint, four small containers, four paint brushes, and four kinds of ground spices like cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, and cardamom
What to do:
Pour washable white paint into four small containers or bowls, then add one spice to each bowl. The more spice you add, the deeper the colour. Use paint brushes to mix the spices into the paint until blended. Watch your preschooler paint with the beautiful and fragrant earth-toned shades. Be mindful that spice paints have the potential to stain clothes. Sensory tip: ask them which spice they like the smell of best, and why.
- Shaving Cream Finger Painting
Soft, cool, and fluffy, shaving cream is a sensory delight for little hands to play in — you don’t even need paint brushes for this activity.
What you’ll need:
Shaving cream, kitchen table or tray, rags for cleaning
What to do:
Spray shaving cream on your kitchen table (or a cookie tray) and let children spread it all over with their hands. They can squish it between their fingers, draw pictures in it, or practice their letters. Give them wet rags to clean it up with after, and you’ll have a sparkling clean table.
- Snow Painting
If there’s snow outside, this is a great way to engage in outdoor sensory play with preschoolers.
What you’ll need:
Spray bottles, food colouring, snow
What to do:
Fill spray bottles with water and add food colouring to each bottle. Spray the coloured water on the snow to write letters, create pictures, or turn your backyard into a snowy rainbow.
Your preschooler’s creativity will shine with these simple but engaging sensory activities. Want even more great early literacy activities you can do at home? Be sure to check out our Library at Home section for more resources like these.
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Sources:
Craftulate: Sensory Spice Painting
Little Rock Family: 6 Sensory-Stimulating Activities using Common Household Items
Five Minute Fun: Five-minute Sensory Play Ideas
