Winter Sensory Play: Engaging Activities for Cold January Days

As early years professionals and parents ourselves, we understand that January's cold, dark days can feel endless when you're home with energetic little ones. Sensory play offers the perfect solution - engaging activities that support development while keeping children happily occupied indoors. The best part? Most sensory activities can be created with items you already have at home.

Why Sensory Play Matters in Winter

Supporting Development Through Touch and Exploration

Sensory experiences are crucial for young children's development:

Brain development: Sensory input helps build neural pathways
Language skills: Describing textures and experiences builds vocabulary
Motor skills: Manipulating materials develops fine motor control
Emotional regulation: Sensory play can be calming and therapeutic

Winter-Specific Benefits

During darker months, sensory play provides:

Energy outlet when outdoor time is limited
Mood boost through engaging, satisfying activities
Learning opportunities that replace lost nature exploration
Family connection through shared discovery experiences

Easy Indoor Sensory Bins

Rice and Pasta Play

Create texture bins with kitchen staples:

Uncooked rice mixed with small toys for hiding and finding
Different pasta shapes for scooping and pouring
Add scoops and containers for transferring activities
Include tweezers for older children to develop pincer grip

Safety note: Always supervise closely and choose materials appropriate for your child's developmental stage.

Fabric Texture Box

Collect different fabric scraps:

Velvet, corduroy, silk, wool for varied textures
Different weights from light chiffon to heavy denim
Various sizes for different types of exploration
Add vocabulary by describing what they feel

Winter-Themed Sensory Bins

Cotton balls as "snow" for burying small winter animals
White beans or rice with blue food colouring for icy textures
Shredded paper in white and blue for winter landscapes
Add winter toys like penguins, polar bears, or snowmen

Water Play Alternatives

Warm Water Sensory Bins

When it's too cold for outdoor water play:

Warm soapy water with kitchen utensils for washing play
Coloured warm water with droppers for colour mixing
Warm water with ice cubes to explore temperature differences
Bubbles in warm water for popping and floating experiments

Mess-Free Water Play

For contained alternatives:

Water in sealed plastic bags for squishing and manipulating
Water beads (for children over 3) in clear containers
Ice play in the bathroom where melting is manageable
Steam play during bath time with mirrors and windows

DIY Playdough and Clay

Simple No-Cook Playdough

Mix together:

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons oil
1 cup boiling water with food colouring

Cloud Dough

For a different texture:

8 cups flour
1 cup baby oil
Mix until it holds together when squeezed but crumbles when released

Edible Alternatives

For younger children who might taste:

Cooked playdough using flour and water
Jelly play with set gelatine
Pudding paint for messy artistic fun
Whipped cream with food colouring for sensory art

Sound and Music Sensory Experiences

Homemade Instruments

Create sound exploration tools:

Rice shakers in sealed containers
Rubber band guitars on tissue boxes
Pot and wooden spoon drums
Water glasses with different levels for different pitches

Sound Matching Games

Film canisters with different materials inside for shaking
Identify sounds from around the house with eyes closed
Nature sound recordings to bring outdoor sounds inside
Echo experiments in different rooms

Visual Sensory Activities

Light and Shadow Play

Torches and white sheets for shadow puppet shows
Coloured cellophane over windows for coloured light
Mirror play to reflect light around the room
Glow sticks in a dark room (supervised use only)

Colour Exploration

Colour mixing with food colouring in clear containers
Rainbow rice made with food colouring and vinegar
Colour sorting with household objects
Paint in plastic bags for mess-free finger painting

Smell and Taste Sensory Games

Safe Scent Exploration

Herb and spice smelling jars with familiar scents
Essential oil cotton balls in containers (lavender, orange)
Cooking smells while preparing meals together
Outdoor scent collection on warmer days

Taste-Safe Activities

Different textured foods for exploration
Colour-themed snacks for visual and taste experiences
Temperature exploration with warm and cool foods
Texture sorting with safe food items

Setting Up Successful Sensory Play

Preparation Tips

Choose appropriate location considering mess potential
Gather materials before starting to maintain engagement
Set clear boundaries about where materials stay
Have cleanup supplies ready and involve children in tidying

Age-Appropriate Adaptations

12-18 months: Large, safe materials for mouthing; constant supervision 18 months-2 years: Introduction of tools like scoops; guided exploration 2-3 years: More complex materials; beginning to follow simple rules 3+ years: Independent exploration; introduction of smaller materials

Managing the Mess

Containment Strategies

Use shower curtains or plastic tablecloths under play areas
Set up in bathrooms where cleanup is easier
Use deep containers to keep materials contained
Dress children in clothes that can get messy

Quick Cleanup Tips

Vacuum handheld for quick pickup of dry materials
Wet cloth nearby for immediate spill management
Storage containers clearly labelled for easy pack-away
Make cleanup part of the activity rather than a chore

Building on Sensory Experiences

Extending Learning

Talk about discoveries using descriptive language
Connect to books about textures, weather, or seasons
Document with photos to revisit and discuss later
Relate to outside world when possible

Creating Sensory Stories

Use sensory bins to act out simple stories
Create seasonal narratives with themed materials
Encourage imaginative play within sensory exploration
Build vocabulary through shared storytelling

Safety Considerations

Age-Appropriate Materials

Always consider:

Choking hazards for children who still mouth objects
Allergies to materials like latex or certain foods
Supervision levels required for different activities
Easy cleanup to prevent slipping hazards

Material Storage

Sealed containers to keep materials fresh and safe
Label clearly so older children can help with setup
Regular cleaning of reusable materials
Safe disposal of single-use items

Looking for early years provision that values hands-on, sensory learning experiences? Join our waiting list to discover our approach to supporting development through play when we open late in 2026.