Sensory Play for a Rainy Day
We have put together some indoor sensory play ideas for rainy days, that you and your children can enjoy at home. There’s always sensory play for a rainy day!
Sensory play ideas
Sensory play is an important part of children’s lifestyle, it is extremely beneficial to children and adults with disabilities and sensory environments have shown to have a significant impact on older people with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
When thinking about the senses of the body, you may instinctively think of the basic touch, sight, sound, taste and smell. But there is a lot more to using these senses than we think. Movement is a large part of development and understanding. It is a great way for the overactive to use up energy. On a rainy day it may seem like a challenge to keep your children and whoever you may care for entertained.
Don’t let the rain stop the fun
A rainy day may cause for an umbrella, indoors you can get a parachute or sheet to create an shelter and outdoors you can use some tarpaulin for an outdoor shelter. You can collect twigs for your indoor or outdoor ‘fire’ and create some seating, and sing some of your campfire songs.
If you don’t mind getting messy, then rain allows children to splash in the puddles and add something exciting to the mix, you can do chalk painting, fishing in puddles and much more. Usually children wont mind being outdoors while its raining, so its just getting your wellies on and embracing the weather.
Music and stories
No matter your age, songs and dance are a great way to boost your mood on a gloomy day. Research has shown that musical activity stimulates development in every area of the brain. You can play music, use ribbons, shakers and pompoms to add a physical aspect. This will allow you to be creative with the moves.
Storytelling is an excellent platform for children to learn to form opinions, expand vocabulary and use their imagination. It’s a great chance to develop what you love. You could move this outdoors where nature can help create fun ideas and spark the imagination further.
These are just some ideas on how rainy play shouldn’t stop children from engaging in creative play.
Do you have any other ideas of sensory play for a rainy day? Tweet us @redbankhouse.
Redbank House have two sensory rooms in Manchester. Give us a call on 0161 214 5959 if you would like to hear more information.
