The Number One Reason Parents Avoid Sensory Play
Toddlers naturally love sensory play, whether that is with sand, water, paint, bubbles, or even Mama's hair. Even though sensory play provides endless benefits for children, many parents avoid it like the plague. Why? It takes a lot of effort to set it up for only a little bit of playtime interest, and then a lot of effort to clean it back up. For many parents, this doesn't seem worth it. Luckily, we are here to give you a ton of tips for low-stress and low-mess sensory play. Keep reading for some of our favorite sensory play ideas for toddlers, including the toddler-friendly bubble wand that will swoop in and save the day!
Cleanup Anxiety and Avoiding Sensory Play
It's a tale as old as time: You've created an adorable, Instagram-worthy art station or sensory bin only for your toddler to come on in and destroy it all in about two seconds. This, or they shift their attention to the next thing after less than five minutes. Now, you're left with a huge mess, feeling defeated or like your efforts don't matter, and like this was a huge waste of time.
Sound familiar?
Cleanup anxiety is the number one reason parents avoid sensory play, and it is very common. It doesn't mean you are a bad parent or a lazy parent; it just means that you haven't found the right sensory play that fits your family's needs yet.
Many parents are okay with messy sensory bins. Many are not. Both are okay! There are so many different types of sensory play, and you can keep exploring to find the right one for you and your child.
Sensory Play Without The Mess
Does sensory play without the mess exist?
Yes!
You don't need to absolutely destroy your home every time you attempt a sensory play session. In fact, low-effort and low-clean-up sensory bins still give children a ton of benefits.
Sensory play plays an important role in your child's development from birth to early childhood. It helps build nerve connections in their brain's pathways, which can help your child complete complex tasks.
- Your child's language skills develop naturally through sensory play.
- Sensory play can help your child develop fine motor skills like tying their shoe, writing, and zipping their coat.
- Helps with gross motor skills.
- Asking questions, thinking about how things work, doing experiments, and analyzing results are all part of healthy cognitive growth that sensory play provides.
- Has a calming effect.
- By engaging in sensory play with siblings or peers, your child begins developing social skills. They'll learn how to communicate, how to troubleshoot problems, and learn to adapt to how others play.
Source: Cleveland Clinic — Benefits of Sensory Play
Water Play
One of the easiest, low-stress ways your child can engage in sensory play is with water play!
Water sensory play includes:
- Playing in the bath
- Cleaning Hot Wheels or Barbies in the sink with soap and water
- Setting up a water table outside in the summer
- Filling a bin with water and adding bowls and cups
- Freeze small toys in water so children can chip away at the ice
- Adding sensory fidget toys to a water bin
Packing Peanuts
Packing peanuts are a low-cost, easy-to-clean way to enjoy sensory play. Head to your local post office or packing store to grab some packing peanuts. Fill a bin or a box with them and let your toddler enjoy. You can also hide some toys in there, too!
Packing peanuts are generally biodegradable, which makes them nontoxic and made of natural materials such as cornstarch or grain. They dissolve in water and are a safe option to dispose of that won't make you feel like you're just wasting materials. And, they are generally safe if ingested, which is a high likelihood for rambunctious toddlers!
Craft Supplies
Another easy, low-stress way your child can engage in sensory play is with craft supplies.
Head to your local craft store and get a wide array of large craft supplies. This can include feathers, pipe cleaners, large pom pom balls, and more. Dump it all in a tub, add some cups and tongs, and watch your child enjoy.
With large craft supplies, it is all easy enough to scoop up and dump back into the bin when playtime is over. You can even have your toddler help you for a few moments!
The Best Sensory Toys for Stressed Parents
Want low mess and low stress? Our two favorite picks for easy peasy sensory play include our bubble wand set and our sensory fidget toys!
Sensory Bubble Play Skin Happy Botanical Bubbles & Blower Set
Our sensory bubble blower is the perfect sensory play tool for parents who hate cleaning up sensory bins!
This sensory bubble toy gives tons of bubbles without the mess or soapy gooey residue. Perfect for sensory play, learning, bubble therapy, the classroom, birthday parties, special events, and more, this uniquely designed bubble system is non-toxic, calming, and worry-free for parents.
Made with plant extracts, coconut oil, and purified water, the skin-happy botanical bubble solution is easy on sensitive skin.
Spike Silicone Sensory Toys
We have an entire line of silicone sensory fidget toys. Non-distracting, classroom-friendly, durable, and waterproof, they are the perfect toy to toss into any water play situation!
Many of our sensory toys are dual-textured: One side has soft, short bristles, and the other has longer and even softer bristles to provide two different sensory experiences. Great for the classroom, home, bath, and more!