Supporting Trauma: Play Through the Senses

Why Sensory Play Matters

Children who have experienced medical trauma often feel disconnected from their bodies or overwhelmed by their environments. Sensory play is a gentle, powerful way to:

• Rebuild body awareness

• Reduce anxiety

• Strengthen family bonds

• Support emotional expression

• Bring joy back into the everyday

Explore these activities at home!

Image from Fun & Function

Image from Toddler at Play

Touch Tray

An opportunity to connect with your senses and body.

What You’ll Need:

• A shallow bin, tray, or box

• A mix of safe, textured items such as:

  • Dry rice or beans

  • Fabric scraps (silk, fleece, cotton)

  • Smooth stones

  • Feathers

  • Small toys

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill your tray with a variety of textured objects. Make it colorful and fun! Mix soft, rough, warm, cool, squishy, and hard textures.

2. Invite your child (and family) to explore with their hands.
Ask questions like:

• “What does this feel like?”

• “Which texture makes you feel calm or happy?”

• “Can you find something that feels like a cloud?”

3. Try a blindfold version for more sensory focus. Let each family member guess what they're feeling without looking!

Image from The Craft-at-Home Family

Image from The Best Ideas for Kids

Sensory Bottle / Jars

A mesmerizing bottle/jar of calm for focus, courage, and emotional resets.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 clear plastic bottle or jar with a secure lid (e.g., Voss water bottle or Mason jar)

• Warm water

• Clear glue (or baby oil/glycerin for a different effect)

• Glitter, sequins, beads and buttons

• Optional: Food coloring

• Hot glue or super glue (to seal the lid)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Fill your bottle halfway with warm water. Warm water helps mix the glue better.

2. Add clear glue (or baby oil) until the bottle is about ¾ full.
   Tip: More glue = slower swirling; less glue = faster motion.

3. Choose your add-ins!

4. Add a drop or two of food coloring (optional).

5. Fill the rest of the bottle with warm water.
   Leave a little space at the top to allow movement.

6. Seal the lid tightly.
   Tip: Use hot glue or super glue around the rim for extra safety—especially for younger kids.

7. Shake and enjoy the magic! Watch everything swirl and slowly settle!

Image by Vitolda Klein

Image by Asal Mshk

Sound Safari

A playful listening adventure to connect with the world and each other.

What You’ll Need:

• Your ears

• A notebook or drawing pad

• Optional: simple instruments or sound makers (bells, spoons, pots, shakers)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Go on a listening walk—indoors or outside.

2. Pause and listen. Say, “Close your eyes for 30 seconds—what do you hear?”

3. Write down or draw the sounds you notice.
   Examples: birds, cars, footsteps, doors, rustling leaves, beeping machines.

4. . Repeat the walk with a twist:

   1. Imitate the sounds together

   2. Rank them from most to least soothing

   3. Make up a story inspired by the sounds

Image by Melissa Mae

Image by Phil Hearing

Finger Painting

A creative, messy, and mindful way to express ourselves.

What You’ll Need:

• Washable finger paints

• Large paper or canvas

• Aprons or old clothes

• Wet wipes or water nearby

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Set up a space where it’s okay to get messy. Lay down newspaper or a plastic sheet.

2. Let everyone pick 2–3 colors that match their mood. You can ask:

• “What color feels like how your body feels today?”

• “What color do you wish you had more of?”

3. Start painting with your fingers. Swirl, dab, press, and mix. Use both hands. There are no rules!

4. Optional: Paint a shared “Family Feeling Canvas.” Each person adds their colors and shapes—talk about what each person made.