Winter is a time filled with wonder and joy, especially for kids! But for children with sensory needs, the season can also be overwhelming. Try these ten winter-themed activities we found and love, designed to spark creativity, support development, provide sensory stimulation, and make snowy days magical. ❄️
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Snowy Exploration Box
Create a sensory bin by filling a bin or bathtub with sensory-friendly materials like cotton balls, white rice, or pom poms. Or snow and ice cubes for edible, temperature exploration. Add winter-themed toys such as snowmen, arctic animals, or pinecones for children to discover and explore. This allows for tactile exploration, supports imaginative play, and can be calming for sensory seekers.
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Touch-Free Winter Slime
Place clear slime in a plastic bag for your child to press and feel without potentially overwhelming direct contact. Simply add glitter, snowflake confetti, and any other sensory-friendly toys to allow your child to explore their own personal winter scene. For an easy alternative, this can also be done with water. Just make sure to tap the bag closed to avoid a mess!
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Ice Cube Painting
Freeze water mixed with food coloring in ice cube trays (can be done in any fun shape too!) and let your child use the colored ice cubes to paint on paper. This allows them to sense the cold as they paint and watch the colors melt. This will assist with tactile development and sensory input. A cloth can be put over the ice cube or mittens can be worn to assist with temperature control. The ice is edible too!
For a child who is more sensory avoidant, freeze popsicle sticks into the ice cubes so they have a handle to paint with and don’t have to directly touch the ice.
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Snowman Building
Purchase white Playdough or Model Magic and accessorize with buttons, pipe cleaners, carrots and googly eyes to build a snowman. You can even bring in sticks from your backyard to provide your child with the most authentic winter wonderland experience! This activity promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and provides tactile sensory fun!
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Winter Discovery
Freeze toys in ice cubes and let children melt the ice to find the treasure! This can be easily and cleanly done using warm water or salt in a tin or bowl. For messier fun, allow your child to use a toy hammer or spoon to break the ice! This activity encourages problem-solving, fine motor skills, and introduces temperature sensory experiences in a controlled manner.
Freeze small toys at your discretion.
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Snow Painting
Mix shaving cream with glue to create a puffy paint substance. Children can use this mixture to paint on colored paper, creating textured snow scenes. This combines tactile and visual sensory input, encourages creativity, and enables fine motor skill development. Add some white glitter for an extra snowy experience.
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Sensory-Friendly Winter Walk
Take a walk outside to explore the winter environment. Ask your child to focus on the sounds of crunching snow, the feel of the cold air, and the sights of winter scenery. Then, if possible, ask them to describe what they identified. This provides visual and spatial experience and encourages mindfulness.
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Edible Hot Chocolate Play Dough
Mix two cups of cornstarch, one cup of water, a tablespoon of baking soda, and a dash of cocoa powder to create edible play dough for your child. This provides your child with both tactile and olfactory stimulation. You can add marshmallows and frosting too for a special sensory twist!
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Build a Cozy Igloo!
Help your child develop gross motor planning and learn how to create sensory safe spaces by turning your living room into a winter wonderland! Use your couch, cushions, and a sheet to create your igloo. Then grab some fluffy pillows and a few blankets before laying down inside and watching the magic come to life.
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Snowy Sensory Tray
Collect a few winter themed toys like toy snowmen and figurines (check your Christmas ornaments if you have them!) and put them all into a shallow bowl or tray with ice or snow. Allow your children to feel the different structures and textures of the toys. This activity is sure to help them with sensory regulation and improve their fine motor skills as well as their planning!
Try these adaptable winter wonderland activities to keep your child entertained, learning, and comfortable this snowy season! Feel free to check out our resource blog for more exciting tips and tricks!