Sensory Diet - List of General Activities

A sensory diet is a group of physical activities that are personalized and scheduled into a child’s day to assist with attention, arousal and adaptive responses. The activities are personally tailored for the child and provide sensory input to stay focused and organized throughout the day.

Proprioceptive/Heavy Work Activities:

Activities that require work from large muscle groups with resistance provide good proprioceptive input, which is usually calming organizing.

  • Use of weighted vest, ankle weights or a weighted backpack while performing activities (*weighted items should be used for a maximum of 15-20 minutes at a time, so as not to diminish its effects)
  • Modify activities to promote reaching, stretching, bending or crawling
  • Provide activities that require pushing, pulling, carrying, lifting
  • Allow for standing and movement during daily activities
  • Incorporate the following into activities: hop, jump, skip, roll, crawl, march, squeeze, stomp, clap, push, pull
  • Provide opportunities to play on playground/jungle gym equipment
  • Trampoline
  • Non-Aerobic exercise incorporating stretching and strengthening
  • Theraputty/Playdoh

Vestibular Activities for School-age Kids

Understanding how to engage school-age children in vestibular activities can be a game-changer for their balance and coordination development. Here are some creative and fun ways to incorporate these activities into their routine: Upside-Down Fun
  • Encourage your child to hang upside down from monkey bars or other playground equipment.
  • They can also perform somersaults, which are not only fun but also excellent for stimulating the vestibular system.
Swings and Rolls
  • Swings are a playground staple and provide a great vestibular workout. Encourage your child to swing as high as they are comfortable.
  • Rolling down hills, whether grassy or covered in soft snow, can be both enjoyable and beneficial. This activity also provides proprioceptive feedback, enhancing bodily awareness.
Spinning Adventures
  • Introduce spinning activities, such as twirling in place or enjoying amusement park rides that involve rotating motions.
  • These rides, like a carousel, help in maintaining balance and can be a delightful experience.
By incorporating these activities into their playtime, children can have fun while enhancing their vestibular development, aiding in their overall growth and coordination.

Tactile Activities:

  • Various art activities with items such as pudding, rice, pasta, sand
  • Reach for objects in the sand, rice, pasta, water, beans
  • Playing in whipped cream, shaving cream pudding, jello, cooked and raw pasta
  • Snuggling with blankets and pillows
  • Playing ‘beauty shop’ – taking turns brushing and styling hair
  • Washcloth stimulation – alternate with hot and cold washcloths

Tactile Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Exploring Food and Drink
Introduce your child to new sensations through their diet by offering plain seltzer or carbonated water. The fizzing bubbles provide a novel touch experience in the mouth. Feel free to add a splash of juice or squeeze in some lemon or lime for extra flavor.

Embracing Messy Play

Encourage your child to dive into messy activities. Use foamy soap or shaving cream and mix in materials like sand for varied textures. Fingerpainting with materials like glitter glue or helping mix cookie dough can also be exciting. Create a sensory bin at home by filling it with dry beans, rice, or small toys, which can be a fun DIY sandbox. Be sure to seal it for repeated use.

Crafting with Modeling Materials
Stimulate tactile exploration by using child-friendly modeling materials. Encourage creativity while they mold and shape these materials. If your child is hesitant to touch certain textures, allow them to use tools like paintbrushes or sticks for a more comfortable experience.

Playing Dress-Up
Transform playtime by dressing up in various costumes. This helps children become accustomed to different clothing textures and can be a delightful way to expand their sensory world.

Through these diverse tactile experiences, toddlers and preschoolers can gradually become more comfortable with different textures and sensations, aiding their sensory development.

Deep Pressure Activities

  • Deep massage with lotion or powder
  • Wrapping in blankets or towels
  • Squishing between mats, pillows, under therapy ball
  • Big hugs
  • Wrapping or covering self with bean bag chairs

The above lists of activities are for general information only. If you have specific concerns, please contact our office to discuss.

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