Fun Sensory Christmas Activities

With two whole weeks off of school and several days off of therapy, I scheduled activities to do during the day. Since Christmas is near, I planned my activities with a Christmas theme. I wanted to make sure that my activities were sensory based (so my children got sensory input) and helped develop their gross motor skills. Here are the activities that will engage a child’s senses (touch, taste, sight, smell, and hear):

Touch – “Santa’s White Soft Beard”

Supplies: picture of Santa’s face, crayons, glue, scissors, cotton balls, and paper plate

We printed out a picture of Santa’s face, cut it out, and glue it to a paper plate. We then glued cotton balls over Santa’s beard and mustache. After gluing, my children colored Santa’s hat, eyes, face, nose, and mouth. (extension: my kids turned their Santa faces into masks by adding string)

 

Taste-“Build a snowman”

Supplies: Three large marshmallows, four pretzels sticks, and tube of chocolate icing

Stack three large marshmallows on top of each other and push a pretzel stick through their center. Then break the other three pretzels in half and use them to make arms, legs, and a nose (you will have ½ of one left to eat). Then, use the chocolate tube icing to draw a face and buttons.

 

Sight- “Sensory Bubble Bottle”

Supplies: empty water bottle (label taken off), 1 1/2 cups of water, a squirt of dish detergent, 3 drops of red or green food coloring, and a tube of glitter (or a bottle of glitter glue)

First, put the glitter into the bottle, and add 1 ½ cups of water. Next, add a squirt of dawn dish detergent and three drops of food coloring. Shake to watch the bubbles and glitter move around.

Smell- “Christmas Potpourri”

Supplies: 1 orange, 1 lemon, 3 cinnamon sticks, ½ cup of cranberries, 2 tablespoons of cloves, and 4 cups of water

Quarter the lemon and the orange. Then, add all ingredients into a stovetop pot. Next, heat mixture until it boils, and then reduce temperature to low. Fragrance will soon fill the air. Add water when needed.

 

Hear – “Jingle Stick”

Supplies:  8 to 10 inch stick from the yard, red/white/ green yarn, and two bells.

Tie the string to the bottom of the stick. Wrap the yarn around stick until you get to the top. Sting and tie two bells onto the end. Cut off remaining yarn. Enjoy jingling the bells while singing Christmas songs!

 

I hope you enjoy these activities as much as we did!