21 Cool Sensory Activities for Older Kids and Teens
It often feels like when it comes to sensory activities and cool crafts, older kids get left out. Like their sensory needs just disappear when they are a tween or teen, right? No, they don’t! Light Play activities are popular and beneficial for all.
But take a look around on the internet and it often seems like most of the light play activities are geared for toddlers and preschoolers. Let’s fix that. Light play activities for older children are important too.
Too often, kids with disabilities get infantilized. That is, they are talked down to, condescended to, talked to in a sing-song baby voice and so on. While our kids may be behind their age-peers in skills, it’s important that we keep moving them forward and not allow them to stagnate.
Mind you, if a child enjoys an activity, I say let them enjoy it. I think that it’s fine for older kids to enjoy Sesame Street, Thomas or anything really. However, I always welcome the opportunity to encourage my child to enjoy things that are more age appropriate. And, even though I don’t have a problem with older kids liking younger-kid things, it doesn’t mean that they all necessarily like them.
Cool Sensory Activities for Teens
- DIY stress balls with balloons and rice or flour
- Weighted lap blankets or DIY rice socks
- Aromatherapy with essential oils or scented putty
- Noise-canceling headphones with calming music
- Bubble wrap popping or silicone poppers
- Fidget spinners and cubes
- Sensory bins with kinetic sand, beans, or water beads
- Water painting with brushes on chalkboard or cement
- Yoga or stretching routines for proprioceptive input
- Nature walks with a sound scavenger hunt
- Cooking or baking for multi-sensory input (smell, taste, texture)
- Making slime or putty with different textures
- Using a vibrating neck massager or handheld massage tool
- LED light strips or fiber optic lamps in a chill space
- Ice cube or frozen toy excavation
- Painting or coloring with textured paints and brushes
- Journaling with scented pens or textured paper
- Interactive video games that include movement (like Just Dance)
- Trampoline time or mini rebounder for vestibular input
- Chewing gum or oral motor chewy tools
- Light play!
Benefits of Light Play for Teens
Don’t discount the value of light play! Lots of neurotypical adults enjoying seeing cool lights, colors and graphics. And light play has so much value for our older kids.
- Light play can fulfill a sensory need.
- It helps brighten a dark day, particularly in winter when days are shorter. We love this as a 4-5 pm activity with his home team.
- Often, the child can maintain focus longer.
- Light play can beneficial for many visual impairments such as CVI.
- It often has a calming effect and can help with emotional regulation.
- Who doesn’t love light play? It’s entertaining!
- Sensory and Light Play is very versatile.
- You can educate them, and they usually don’t even know it.
- Light play can be used for multiple disciplines: sensory, science, language, fine motor skills, math, the possibilities are endless!
