Hi guys! Halloween is coming and you know what that means? All things fun and spooky! Today we explore sensory play. Sensory play is a fantastic way for toddlers to explore their world, engage their senses, and enhance their development. With Halloween just around the corner, why not add a spooky twist to this fun and educational activity? In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of creating Halloween sensory buckets that will delight and engage your little ones.
Supplies, fillers, elements & variety.
To get started, you’ll need a few essential supplies:
1. A plastic container or bucket with a lid (for easy storage).
2. Sensory fillers like rice, pasta, or colored sand.
3. A variety of Halloween-themed items such as plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, fake cobwebs, and more.
Choosing Sensory Fillers.
When selecting sensory fillers, keep in mind the age and safety of your toddler. Opt for materials that are non-toxic and free of potential allergens. Rice or colored sand are excellent choices for their tactile appeal and ease of use.
Adding Halloween Elements.
Now comes the fun part! Incorporate Halloween-themed items into your sensory bucket. Consider plastic eyeballs, witches’ hats, spooky cookie cutters, and any other child-safe, Halloween-themed objects you can find.
Texture Variety.
Variety is key to engaging your toddler’s senses. Include items with different textures, such as soft fabric, rough textures like sandpaper, and smooth surfaces like plastic or glass.
Engaging Activities.
Once your Halloween sensory bucket is ready, here are some exciting activities for your toddler:
• Sorting: Encourage your toddler to sort items by color, shape, or size.
• Hide and Seek: Bury small Halloween items in the filler material and have your child find them.
• Shape Creations: Use Halloween-themed cookie cutters to create spooky shapes and patterns.
Our Halloween Sensory Soup.
Inspired by the creativity of blogs like HappyToddlerPlaytime.com, you can add a unique touch to your Halloween sensory play with “Halloween Sensory Soup.” In this activity, you’ll need a bucket filled with water, green, black, purple and orange Pom-poms, and plastic eyeballs. Riley and my niece had a blast scooping out these eerie objects with a spoon and transferring them into a small bowl. The sensory soup added a watery dimension to the Halloween fun, creating opportunities for splashing and discovery.
Supervision, Safety, Clean- Up & Benefits.
Always supervise your toddler during sensory play to ensure their safety. Be vigilant, especially if your sensory bucket contains small items that could be a choking hazard. Make sure they don’t put any objects in their mouth. Riley loves to eat everything so I am very attentive when we play.
Clean-Up Tips.
After the sensory play session, clean up is a breeze. Simply seal the sensory bucket with its lid and store it for future use. Be sure to wipe down any surfaces that might have gotten messy during play.
Benefits of Sensory Play:
Engaging in sensory play offers numerous developmental benefits for toddlers. It enhances sensory exploration, promotes fine motor skills development, encourages creativity, and can even help with language development as your child describes their Halloween discoveries.
Have fun friends!
Creating Halloween sensory buckets for toddlers is a delightful way to celebrate the season while fostering your child’s development. It’s a hands-on, educational, and fun activity that both you and your little one can enjoy together. So, gather your supplies, let your imagination run wild, and watch as your toddler discovers the magic of Halloween through their senses.
