Pinderfields Hospital

Home Play Ideas

Exploring

• different textures including packaging, balls, fabrics etc
• ‘junk’, especially large cardboard boxes
• food items
• ice – different shapes and colours
• ice with other items such as rice, water, toys

Physical

• spinning
• bouncing – trampoline, gym/peanut ball,
• balancing – walking along items, sitting/laying on a gym/peanut ball, standing on a cushion
• climbing
• running, jumping, skipping, hopping

Sensory/Pressure

• rolling in blanket/rug
• pushing body/head against something soft such as a cushion
• hanging upside down off sofa/bed
• homemade playdough
• water play – involving hand, feet, full body. Try adding items to the water such as bubbles, colours, floating toys, sinking toys etc.
• bubbles created by a machine, by blowing, by moving bubble wand
• child blowing bubbles is a great skill for them to develop
• blowing bubbles in water through a straw
• blowing through a straw to move items such as balls of paper, pom poms and bubbles

Communication ideas

• Ready, steady…. go (aiming for the child to say ‘go’ ) games – bubbles, tickles, chasing, letting a balloon go
• Songs - sing through a favourite song with your child. Next time, pause at a certain point and see if your child will sing or react for you to continue.

For more sensory/messy ideas see

• https://www.learning4kids.net/list-of-sensory-play-ideas/
• https://besttoys4toddlers.com/taste-safe-sensory-play-ideas/