5 Awesome Outdoor Sensory Play Ideas for Your Neurodiverse Child
We all know how important sensory play is for our neurodiverse kiddos, but sometimes you need to get out of the house and shake things up a bit. That's why we're bringing you some fresh outdoor sensory fun that will engage your child's senses and keep them entertained for hours.
1. Sensory Garden Exploratorium
Turn a corner of your yard into a multi-sensory garden experience! Fill it with fragrant herbs and flowers for smelling, soft moss and lamb's ear for touching, bright blooms for visual stimulation, and wind chimes for auditory input. Let your little one pick leaves, dig in the dirt, and experience all the sights, scents, and textures at their own pace.
2. Mud Kitchen Masterpieces
Every kid loves playing in the mud, but it's extra fun and engaging for our sensory seekers! Set up a designated mud play area with buckets, shovels, pots, and utensils. Throw in some natural loose parts like pinecones, sticks, and leaves to incorporate into their mud creations. Fair warning - this one is messy but oh-so-worth it!
3. Backyard Obstacle Sensation
Create an obstacle course with a variety of textures underfoot like wood chips, pebbles, grass, and rubber mats. Add tunnels for crawling through, ramps for climbing, and balance beams for...well, balancing! This provides a whole body experience with proprioceptive and vestibular input.
4. Splish Splash Silliness
Is there anything more sensorily delightful than water play? Probably not! Set up a small wading pool, water table, or just buckets and cups for pouring, splashing, and squealing with glee. Toss in some bath toys that squirt or spin for extra sensory fun.
5. Nature Sensory Bin Exploration
No outdoor space? No problem! Fill some bins with a variety of natural items like pinecones, rocks, sticks, leaves, and seed pods. Bring them outside and let your child explore all the different textures, shapes, and scents. You can even bury small toys in the bins for a sensory dig!
The great thing about all of these activities is that they allow your neurodiverse child to experience and interact with their environment in their own way and at their own pace. So get out there and let them explore the great outdoors through their senses! Your kids (and your sanity) will thank you.