It’s that time of year again. Where old becomes new and the air becomes just a bit warmer. Even when it’s gloomy outside, there are plenty of sensory activities you can do at home. So here are three Spring time sensory activities to kill the boredom on these rainy Spring days. We all know the importance of sensory play, the opportunity for children to explore their world through the five senses.

Sight & Taste: Rainbow Cereal Sort

Photo courtesy of b-inspiremama.com

Find the calm after the storm with the easy and equally tasty activity. Rainbow Cereal Sort is the perfect activity for learning colors. Follow the helpful hints to add even for fun to the activity.

                What you’ll need:

• Large muffin tin (one that makes six muffins)
• Small to medium bowl
• One box of fruit loops (Go for the store brand to save money, or go gluten free by using the Wegmans brand)
• Construction paper in red, yellow, green, blue, orange, and purple

Helpful hints: Make this a fine motor activity by using thong or a clothes pin to transfer cereal pieces. Talk about taste texture by adding milk or water and watching/feeling the cereal as it changes from crunchy to soggy.

Touch, Smell, & Sight: Earth Day Sensory Bag

Photo courtesy of handsonaswegrow.com

Pay homage to Earth Day with this sensory filled creation. Earth Day Sensory Bags.

What you’ll need:

• 1 gallon size food storage bag
• Tape
• Small flowers and small leaves
• Clear hair gel

How to: Gather materials. Add clear hair gel to bag (fill to about 1/3). Gently add in flowers and leaves, about ten total. Zipper bag and tape top closed. Have fun moving objects around in the bag.

Helpful hint: Tape to a bright window or door for added visual input.  OR, add a line down the center of the bag and sort leaves from flowers. OR, separate parts of a flower and slide pieces around the bag to rebuild the flower. Use the assembly as an opportunity to talk about smells and textures.

Touch & Sound: Easter Egg Shakers

Photo property of www.rockabebabymusic.com

Looking for something to do with the dozens of leftover plastic Easter eggs? Try making egg shakers to intrigue your child’s sense of sound.

What you’ll need:

• 8 plastic Easter eggs
• ½ cup of uncooked rice
• ½ cup of beans (any kind)
• ½ cup of raisins
• ½ cup of cereal (Your child’s favorite will do)

How to: Gather materials. Allow your child to explore the different textures and tastes of the materials. Fill 2 eggs of each food product and close them. Take turns shaking the eggs, guessing their contents and matching them with the egg of the same sound.

Helpful hint: Tape plastic spoons to either side of the eggs to turn them into maracas.

This blog was written by Kirby Allen, Trellis Instructor