Sensory Play for Toddlers: Body Awareness Activities

Activities to help with body awareness

These activities can help your child learn about their bodies and how they explore the spaces around them.

Indoor activities

• Sandwich or burrito games. This is when you gently place your child between two blankets or soft mats. Be careful that your child can safely breathe and see at all times.
• Wall pushes. This is when you gently press the wall with different parts of your body.
• Bear hugs or gentle play wrestling. Always approach your toddler from the front. Tell them that you are going to touch them. Give them the choice to be touched or not touched.
• Jump into a pile of soft pillows, blankets or cushions
• Chores, such as dusting, vacuuming or putting away toys
• Hide and seek
• Climbing or crawling through old boxes, tunnels or pillows
• Building blocks

Outdoor activities

• Jumping or playing hopscotch
• Pushing or pulling a wagon or cart
• A game of tug-of-war
• Playing catch with a ball

Use your best judgment and be safe when doing sensory play with your toddler. Watch your child at all times when using smaller objects. Do not let your toddler put small objects in their mouth. Call 911 if there is an emergency.

Learn More

• Sensory play activities for toddlers
  
  • Balance activities
  • Body awareness activities
  • Touch activities

Rev. 8/2018. Reviewed by the MGfC Family Advisory Council. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this handout. This handout is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.