DIY Sensory Activities at Home: Playdough & Colourful Sand

At Little Wildlings, sensory play is a favourite activity every week. Children love exploring textures, colours and materials at our playgroups and it’s a great way to support learning, creativity and confidence.

We thought you may like to try these at home. Here are two of our favourite DIY sensory stations:

Playdoh Fun

Every week we make fresh playdough for the children to explore. It's one play station that is there every week and the children love to create all sorts of amazing creations using nature.

If you would like to try this at home, below is the recipe that we use.

Make Your Own Playdough at Home:

• 2 cups of plain flour

• 3/4 cup salt

• 4 teaspoons cream of tartar

• 2 cups lukewarm water

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (we use coconut oil)

  
  

Mix over low heat until it forms a soft dough. Let it cool, and your little ones can enjoy hours of creative fun! You can add drops of food colouring or leave it natural and add in flower petals and essential oils for a little extra sensory fun. You can store it in your fridge for up to three weeks :)

Colourful Sensory Sand

Ingredients:

• 1 cup table salt

• A few drops of food colouring (any colour)

Instructions:

1. Mix the salt and food colouring in a bowl or zip lock bag and shake until the salt is evenly coloured.

2. Let it dry completely before using.

   
   

Play Ideas:

• Scoop, pour, and mix the coloured sand using small containers, spoons, or funnels.

• Hide small toys or objects in the sand for a fun treasure hunt.

• Use it to practice counting, sorting, or colour recognition.

Why Sensory Play Matters:

Sensory play is much more than just fun – it’s an essential part of early childhood development. Activities like playdough and colourful sand:

• Develop Fine Motor Skills: Kneading, scooping, and pouring strengthen hand muscles and coordination, which supports writing and self-care skills.

• Boost Creativity and Imagination: Children use open-ended materials to create, experiment, and tell stories, encouraging problem-solving and inventive thinking.

• Support Cognitive Development: Sensory experiences help children learn about cause and effect, patterns, textures, colours and numbers.

• Enhance Emotional Regulation: Engaging with different textures and materials can be calming, helping children manage emotions and build focus.

• Encourage Confidence and Independence: Trying new activities and mastering small challenges gives children a sense of achievement.

• Promote Language and Social Skills: Sensory play invites conversation, storytelling, and collaborative play with peers or family members.

• Connect Children to Nature and the World Around Them: Outdoor sensory play, like gardening or interacting with natural materials, teaches respect for and connection with the environment and living things.

  
  

By providing a variety of sensory experiences at home or in playgroup, you’re giving children a strong foundation for learning, creativity, and emotional wellbeing.

Tip: Set up a small tray or mat for easy cleanup, and enjoy exploring together.

We hope you have fun with your Little Wildlings trying one or both of these fun activities, if you do make sure to tell us all about next time we see you.