5 Sensory Activities We Do in the Classroom (And How to Try Them at Home)

Walk into the Ladybug, Bumblebee, or Dragonfly classroom on any given morning and you might see children elbow-deep in a bin of rice, pressing stamps into playdough, or threading beads with intense focus. To some, it might look like free play. To our team of occupational therapists, it looks like development happening in real time.

Sensory play is at the heart of everything we do at Antzy Pantz — because when kids can explore through their senses, their brains wire themselves for learning, focus, and self-regulation. The good news? You don't need a fancy classroom to bring these experiences home.

Here are five of our favorite sensory activities, straight from our classrooms to yours.

1. Sensory Bins

What it looks like: A container filled with a base material — rice, dried beans, kinetic sand, water beads — and small objects to find, sort, or scoop.

Why we love it: Sensory bins engage the tactile system, build fine motor strength through scooping and pinching, and have a naturally calming effect for many kids. They also support focus and sustained attention — skills your child will use every single day in school.

Try it at home: Fill a storage bin with uncooked rice or dried pasta. Hide small toys, letters, or shapes inside for your child to discover. Throw in some measuring cups and spoons and you've got a sensory bin that doubles as early math practice.

2. Playdough Exploration

What it looks like: Rolling, squeezing, pinching, flattening, and building with soft dough — sometimes with tools, sometimes just hands.

Why we love it: Playdough is one of our most powerful fine motor tools. The resistance of the dough builds the hand strength kids need for writing, cutting, and buttoning. It also activates the proprioceptive system (the body's sense of force and position), which can be deeply regulating for busy or anxious children.

Try it at home: Make a simple batch at home (flour, salt, water, cream of tartar, oil) and let your child help mix it. Add cookie cutters, plastic knives, or dried pasta for pressing in. Bonus: making the dough together is a sensory activity all on its own.

3. Messy Art

What it looks like: Finger painting, stamp printing, painting with sponges, or creating with materials like shaving cream and food coloring.

Why we love it: Messy art requires kids to tolerate tactile input on their hands — something that doesn't come naturally to every child. Over time, these experiences build tolerance and flexibility in the nervous system. And of course, they support creativity and bilateral coordination (using both hands together).

Try it at home: Spread shaving cream on a tray and let your child draw letters or pictures with their fingers. Add a drop of food coloring for extra fun. Or try stamping with cut fruits and vegetables dipped in washable paint.

4. Obstacle Courses

What it looks like: A series of physical challenges — crawling under tables, jumping between cushions, spinning, balancing on a beam — that kids move through with intention.

Why we love it: Obstacle courses are a full-body sensory workout. They activate the vestibular system (balance and movement) and proprioceptive system simultaneously. Kids who struggle with body awareness, transitions, or energy regulation often thrive with this kind of structured movement.

Try it at home: Use couch cushions as stepping stones, a painter's tape line as a balance beam, and chairs to crawl under. Keep it simple. The magic isn't in the equipment — it's in the movement itself.

5. Water Play

What it looks like: Pouring, measuring, mixing, or just splashing — in a bin, a sensory table, or the kitchen sink.

Why we love it: Water is a naturally regulating sensory input. It engages the tactile and proprioceptive systems while also building bilateral coordination (two hands working together), which is a key pre-writing skill. Water play is also one of the most accessible activities for children across a wide range of sensory profiles.

Try it at home: Set up a bin in the kitchen or outside with measuring cups, funnels, and small containers. Add food coloring, dish soap for bubbles, or small toys for extra engagement.

A note from our OT team:

If your child consistently avoids (or seeks out) certain types of sensory input — textures, movement, sounds — that's worth paying attention to. It doesn't always mean something is wrong, but it may mean their sensory system needs some extra support.

Our partners at Bouncing Butterflies Occupational Therapy specialize in exactly this. Antzy Pantz families receive a discounted rate on evaluations and sessions — reach out to them at www.bouncingbutterfliestherapy.com to learn more.

Want to see these activities in action? Follow us on Instagram or schedule a tour to see our classrooms and Sensory Room for yourself. We'd love to show you what OT-based learning looks like every single day.