I love sensory breaks! This is a list of sensory break ideas that I use with my little learners in my autism center and that I teach families to use with children in their homes. They are fun and effective at home or in an autism classroom. Make sure to print out your Sensory Break Cards to get started.
Sensory Break Ideas
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1. Ride your bike.
2. Play in a ball pit.
3. Use play dough with this fish bowl play dough mat.
4. Take a bath.
5. Play with bubbles.
6. Whip out the play dough and play with these zoo animal play dough mats.
7. Do some jumping jacks.
8. Take the dog for a walk.
10. Go for a scooter ride.
11. Play with an Autumn sensory bottle.
12. Go for a hike.
13. Plant some flowers.
14. Engage your child in making his or her own play dough (these 3 recipes are all gluten-free as well).
16. Have a dance party. (Listen to music and dance around.)
17. Use play dough with this Spring tulips play dough mat.
18. Hop on one foot.
19. Bounce up and down on both feet.
20. Do some play dough stamping.
21. Jump in Fall leaves.
22. Play a fun and easy hand game.
23. Do some water sensory play.
24. Crawl on your hands and knees.
26. Roll some play dough.
27. Run a race. (Set up a “goal” spot like a tree and whoever gets there first wins the race!)
28. Play a game of ping pong.
29. Water the flowers.
31. Feed the fish.
32. Go for a walk.
34. Go outside and take some photos.
35. Play with a DIY ocean in a bottle.
Print out your sensory break cards to use with your child or in your autism classroom.
36. Prepare a recipe together.
37. Go on a nature walk and pick up treasures (pinecones, feathers, pebbles, etc.).
38. Play a quick game of “Follow Your Nose Bingo”.
39. Use a fan and fan yourself.
40. Hang upside down.
41. Listen to calming music.
42. Play the red light green light game.
43. Go for a scooter ride.
44. Toss a ball back and forth.
45. Go down the slide.
46. Blow up and pop balloons.
47. Fill a sticker album with stickers.
48. Play with slime.
49. Play basketball. (I love this mini b-ball hoop for little learners.)
50. Play with water beads.
Pro tip : if your child (or student) is sensitive to sound, I highly recommend having these noise-cancelling headphones on hand for use during these sensory break activities.
Sensory Break Ideas
I love sensory breaks! This is a list of sensory break ideas that I use with my little learners in my autism center and that I teach families to use with children in their homes. They will be fun and effective in your home or autism classroom too.
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More Sensory Play Ideas on SLH!
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Calming Sensory Activities for Kids with Autism
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[…] To build HAND STRENGTH : just squeezing slime will help build your child’s hand strength. If your child or student struggles with hand strength, include squeezing slime as a daily sensory activity or sensory break. […]