3 Activities to Challenge Your Child’s Senses 

Children experience the world through their senses, and engaging them in sensory activities helps develop cognitive, motor, and problem-solving skills. Sensory play is not just about touch; it includes sight, sound, taste, smell, and movement. By challenging these senses in fun and creative ways, you can support their development and encourage curiosity.

Here are three engaging activities to challenge your child’s senses, inspired by the teachings of this prep school in Surrey.

1. Mystery Sensory Box

A mystery sensory box is a fantastic way to develop your child’s sense of touch and problem-solving skills. This activity encourages them to rely on their hands rather than their eyes to identify different objects.

How to Set It Up:

• Find a medium-sized box with a lid or a large shoebox.
• Cut a hole on each side, big enough for your child to fit their hands through.
• Fill the box with a variety of objects that have different textures, shapes, and sizes. You could use items like cotton balls, pinecones, a soft sponge, or a bumpy toy.
• Ask your child to put their hands inside and guess what they are touching without looking.

Benefits:

• Improves sensory processing skills.
• Enhances vocabulary as they describe what they feel.
• Boosts problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

2. Sound Hunt Game

Our sense of hearing helps us interpret the world around us. A sound hunt encourages children to focus on different sounds and develop their listening skills.

How to Play:

• Take your child outside to a park, garden, or even your backyard.
• Bring a list of sounds for them to find, such as a bird chirping, rustling leaves, a car horn, or the wind blowing.
• Ask them to close their eyes and focus on what they hear.
• Encourage them to describe the sounds and guess where they are coming from.

Benefits:

• Enhances auditory discrimination (the ability to differentiate sounds).
• Increases mindfulness and attention to the environment.
• Strengthens language skills by encouraging descriptive speech.

3. Taste Test Challenge

Taste is one of the most exciting senses to explore! A taste test challenge helps children develop their palate while learning to identify different flavours.

How to Set It Up:

• Gather a variety of foods with different tastes—sweet (honey), sour (lemon), salty (crisps), bitter (dark chocolate), and umami (cheese).
• Blindfold your child and let them taste each food one at a time.
• Ask them to describe what they are tasting and guess the food.

Benefits:

• Encourages children to try new foods.
• Develops language skills as they describe different tastes.
• Enhances sensory awareness and appreciation of flavours.

Challenging your child’s senses through play is a great way to support their development in a fun and engaging way. These activities not only strengthen sensory perception but also encourage problem-solving, language development, and curiosity. Give them a try and watch your child’s senses come alive!