There are so many fun Christmas sensory ideas in my brain right now – and not enough time to share them all with you. So, instead of trying to, I created a Christmas sensory “mix and match” activity planner that you can use to create your own fun experiences at home!
Using the Christmas Sensory Activity Planner
Here is a picture of the planner. To use it, all you do is choose one (or more) options from each box to create a new Christmas sensory activity.
For example, you could choose playdough with a Rudolph the Reindeer inspiration. Make brown playdough and add in a red pompom for a nose, and some glass beads (or googly eyes) for eyes. Maybe some brown pipe cleaners for antler-making. Check out this Rudolph Playdough post to see this idea in action!
If you wanted its purpose to be exploratory, I’d just add a few playdough tools to cut and roll with and leave it at that. We’d also probably read a version of the story before play for extra inspiration!
Isn’t that easy? Ever since I made this planner, I’ve been using it myself. LOL. I hope you find it as useful for stimulating ideas as I have!
Recipes for Sensory Play
If you’re looking now for recipes to make some of the base materials – check out these links:
Homemade Playdough
Find my awesome downloadable recipe in our Free Printables page.
Coloured Rice
Find the super-easy instructions for colouring rice (without rubbing alcohol!) at the bottom of our Spring Sensory Bin post.
Coloured Salt
All you do is mix some food colouring into household salt!
Slime
Find a fun Christmas recipe for slime at Growing a Jewelled Rose.
Cloud Dough
Find the recipe for cloud dough along with other sensory ideas in our 10 Sensory Ideas for When You Only Have 10 Minutes post.
Snow Dough
Gradually add 1 1/4 cups water to 2 cups of Baking Soda and 1 cup of Cornstarch, stirring the entire time until you have a moldable dough that can then be chilled in the fridge.
Coloured Pasta
Follow these easy instructions from Powerful Mothering for brightly coloured noodles.
Oobleck/Goop
Find instructions and ideas for play in our Rainbow Goop post for this sensory material that is part liquid, part solid.
To get your FREE copy of the Christmas Sensory Mix and Match Activity Planner, click on the photo above or here to download it!
I’d love to hear what you think about the new mix and match Christmas sensory activities planner – and if you used it – what you came up with. Leave a comment below!
If you’re looking for even more fun Christmas ideas for kids, be sure to check out our Pinterest board at: Follow One Time Through’s board Christmas on Pinterest.
To find even more fun and educational activities as well as positive parenting tips, follow me on Facebook, and Pinterest.
Susen Malkowski Kuchta says
Sensory plays you included look great for Christmas, pinned!
Sue Lively says
Thanks Susen – hope you have fun with them. Thanks for pinning! Best, Sue
Anne at Left Brain Craft Brain says
Love love love this!!! So useful. There are definitely days when you need a planner to help the activity fun flow.
Sue Lively says
So glad you like it Anne! As I said – I made it, but have also found it helpful for me. I wonder what that says about the state of my brain these days! LOL Thanks for dropping by, Sue
Katie Pinch says
I LOVE your Christmas sensory ideas!!! I am so looking forward to trying them 🙂
Sue Lively says
Thanks Katie! Be sure to take photos and share any ideas you create on our FB page – I’d love to see them! Best, Sue
ciwin22 says
Hi Sue! I love love all these ideas and recipes! The planner is fantastic! Lots to keep my two little monkeys busy with in the coming weeks!
Sue Lively says
Thanks so much Ciara! Glad you find it helpful. Thanks for dropping by and linking up! Best, Sue