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

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

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.