In this trying time, we’re all simply doing our best to find fun activities for our families to do. Below is a list of 5 sensory activities that will occupy your kiddos and maybe even you too! Sensory activities are beneficial for entertainment as well as keeping the kids busy while us parents have the opportunity to get some chores done (i.e., dishes, laundry etc.). These activities may even keep the kids busy enough for you to have some relaxing time! Additionally, sensory activities are a creative way to encourage the development of motor skills, build nerve connections in the brain, and to think scientifically about our environment. If you’re interested in getting your kids active while remaining safe inside you can go to YouTube and check out “GoNoodle” via the link provided: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoNoodleGames

1. Rainbow Sensory Pasta

Items Needed

• Pasta

• Food colouring 

• Water

• Ziploc bags

Instructions

1. Cook 1 pound of pasta, drain and rinse under cold water. 

2. Squeeze 1 tablespoon of red gel food colouring into a Ziploc bag 

3. Add 1 tablespoon of water 

4. Add 1/6 of a cup of pasta 

5. Close the bag and mix up your pasta and food colouring until the pasta is red 

6. Repeat the steps (2-5) listed above for the rest of the colours in the rainbow

7. Enjoy eating/playing with your silly pasta!

2. Jello Dig

Items Needed

• Jello

• Water Bowl

• Small items to hide in the tray/bowl

Instructions

1. Gather items that you would like to hide in your jello dig

2. Put items in a baking tray

3. Make your choice of jello by following the jello instructions

4. Pour the jello over the items in the tray 

5. Put the tray in the fridge until jello is solid 

6. Have an awesome time digging! 

3. Shaving Cream Bubble Wrap

Items Needed

• Bubble Wrap

• Tape

• Shaving cream 

• Table/area on the floor

• Paint or food colouring

• Apron (optional)

Instructions

1. Tape bubble wrap to the floor or table (to prevent it from moving)

2. Squirt some shaving cream onto the bubble wrap

3. Put some paint or food colouring onto the shaving cream 

4. Put on the apron

5. Have an incredible time squishing and exploring! 

4. DIY Stress Balls

Items Needed

• Cornstarch 

• Balloon

• Funnel

• Spoon

• Markers

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup of play sand and a half of a tablespoon of cornstarch into a large bin or container

2. Mix together well

3. In a separate container, combine 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of dish soap (if you have food colouring now is the time to add two to three drops or to preference for colour) 

4. Stir the water and dish soap until the water is bubbly 

5. Slowly add the water mixture to the sand and cornstarch mixture while mixing

6. Depending on how coarse the sand is you may not need all of the water mixture so add it in slowly until you get the consistency you want

5. DIY Kenetic Sand

Items Needed

• Cornstarch

• Play sand

• Dish soap

• Water

• Food colouring (Optional)  

Instructions

1. Combine 1 cup of play sand and a half of a tablespoon of cornstarch into a large bin or container 

2. Mix together well

3. In a separate container, combine 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of dish soap (if you have food colouring now is the time to add two to three drops or to preference for colour)

4. Stir the water and dish soap until the water is bubbly

5. Slowly add the water mixture to the sand and cornstarch mixture while mixing

6. Depending on how coarse the sand is you may not need all of the water mixture so add it in slowly until you get the consistency you want