What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see your little human running across, touching everything, spinning, and jumping all the time? This child is gonna be reckless. Isn’t that what we all think? Well, this need to constantly be on the move can be attributed to sensory seeking—an essential behavior for children who require stronger sensory inputs to feel balanced.

Parents often find these behaviors challenging and confusing, as traditional redirection techniques rarely work. In this blog, we’ll delve into what is sensory seeking and a range of indoor and outdoor activities to manage and tame your little ones’ sensory needs. So, get ready for an adventurous journey. Let’s get this started! 

Understanding Sensory Seeking

Sensory seeking, sometimes known as sensory craving, is a behavior exhibited by children and adults where they actively pursue sensory input to regulate their nervous system. This behavior is particularly noticeable in children who have sensory processing difficulties and are hyposensitive, meaning they are underresponsive to sensory stimuli. It's like their sensory world is muted, so they instinctively seek out stronger sensations to feel balanced.

Children who are sensory seekers are constantly in search of intense sensory experiences. For example, a parent might describe their child as needing to be swung upside down, spinning in circles, or engaging in rough play that involves a lot of jumping, hitting, and kicking.

Dealing with these behaviors can be challenging. Conventional methods of redirection or correction often fall short because what these children are really seeking is additional sensory input. It’s driven by an inherent need to feel balanced. Let’s look at some common traits of sensory-seeking behavior to help you spot early signs in your child. 

Common Traits of Sensory Seeking Behavior 

So, how do you differentiate between typical playful behavior and sensory seeking? Here are some traits you might notice:

• Constant Movement:  Children might always be on the move – climbing, jumping, or even crashing into things.

• Intense Physical Contact:  There's often a noticeable craving for physical touch. They might enjoy roughhousing or wrestling more than other children.

• Fidgeting:  They might need to be constantly fidgeting with objects to focus or sit still. This could include chewing on pencils, clothing, or toys.

• High Volume Levels:  These children often speak louder than others. The elevated volume could be a way to experience stronger auditory feedback.

• Craving Sensory Input:  They might touch everything in their path, smell objects, or even mouth non-food items. Activities like spinning, swinging, or jumping are particularly attractive to them.

• Issues with Personal Space:  Sensory seekers may also have trouble with personal boundaries. They might invade others’ personal space to find that additional tactile input they crave.

It's important to understand that these children are not just demonstrating hyperactivity. Their behaviors are not random but are targeted efforts to fulfill an underlying sensory need.

But don’t worry as the good thing is that sensory integration interventions have shown substantial benefits. Research indicates improved fine motor skills in children who use tools like fidget spinner especially those with ADHD. Another study claims that sensory experiences can stimulate creative thinking in children. So,  it is safe to say that these experiences can help children with sensory input and processing. Let’s explore these benefits further. 

Benefits of Sensory-Seeking Activities

Sensory-seeking activities are essential for children who crave sensory input, helping them feel more balanced and grounded. These activities support overall development, benefiting both sensory seekers and typical childhood growth.

How Sensory Activities Benefit Sensory Seekers:

• Develops Body Awareness: Activities like spinning or jumping enhance coordination and spatial awareness.

• Promotes Self-Regulation: Structured sensory activities help manage emotions and behaviors.

• Reduces Disruptive Behaviors: Provides necessary sensory input, preventing inappropriate behavior.

• Supports Focus and Calmness: Sensory diets ensure consistent input throughout the day.

Benefits for Typical Childhood Development:

• Enhances Academic Skills: Sensory play builds foundational skills for learning.

• Nurtures Social and Emotional Growth: Encourages communication and interaction.

• Fosters Inclusiveness and Creativity: Sensory activities are inclusive, promoting self-expression and confidence.

Without any further ado, let’s jump right into some fun activities for sensory seeking kids. Let’s begin with indoor activities. 

Indoor Sensory Seeking Activities

Indoor activities can effectively engage sensory-seeking kids by providing necessary sensory input, aiding in their self-regulation. Here are some engaging and effective indoor sensory-seeking activities:

• Jumping

Jumping offers excellent proprioceptive and vestibular input. An indoor trampoline, or even couches and small trampolines with handles, provides a safe outlet for sensory-seeking kids who crave constant motion.

• Climbing

Climbing stimulates both proprioception and vestibular senses. Jungle gyms, monkey bars, stairs, and fabric tunnels at home offer great opportunities. Tools like Pikler triangles or monkey bars add variety, encouraging pulling, pushing, crawling, and jumping for a full sensory workout.

• Vibrating Toys

Vibrating toys provide calming proprioceptive input, helping kids focus during activities like meals or homework. Vibrating seats, bugs, and handheld massagers are effective tools for sensory seekers needing to sit still.

• Messy Play

Messy play like finger painting, play dough, and sensory bins offer valuable tactile and proprioceptive input. Activities like making mud or playing with slime add fun while satisfying sensory needs.

• Scooter Board

Scooter boards offer versatile proprioceptive and vestibular input, turning active play or household chores into exciting sensory experiences.

• Obstacle Course

Indoor obstacle courses using household items provide significant proprioceptive and vestibular input while promoting physical activity. Adding challenges or increasing complexity enhances the sensory experience.

Incorporating these activities into your child’s routine helps meet their sensory needs while fostering physical activity and fun.

Now, let’s take the adventure outdoors with some outdoor activities for sensory seeking kids. 

Outdoor Sensory-Seeking Activities

Outdoor sensory activities provide children with a rich playground of experiences that engage multiple senses, from touch to balance to spatial awareness. Here are some exciting and beneficial activities that can make a significant difference:

• Swinging

Swinging is essential for sensory activities, especially for kids with sensory processing needs. It engages the vestibular system, improving balance and spatial awareness. Traditional swings enhance coordination, hammock swings offer calming, gentle movement, and tire swings provide exhilarating, multi-directional motion.

• Trampoline Jumping

Jumping on a trampoline is a fun way to provide proprioceptive and vestibular input, helping children develop balance, spatial awareness, and motor skills. Indoor trampolines are a great year-round option that can be placed outside if the weather allows, and you can add games or obstacle courses for extra engagement.

• Gardening

Gardening offers a full sensory experience—digging and weeding provide proprioceptive input, while touching soil, smelling flowers, and hearing nature sounds engage other senses. It also teaches patience and the joy of nurturing growth.

• Wheelbarrow Walk

The Wheelbarrow Walk involves holding a child’s ankles while they walk on their hands, providing strong proprioceptive input. It builds upper body strength and coordination, and adding obstacles can make it more challenging and fun.

• Pikler Triangles or Monkey Bars

Climbing structures like Pikler triangles or monkey bars stimulate proprioception and develop gross motor skills, coordination, and balance. They offer versatile, long-lasting opportunities for varied movements and spontaneous play.

• Obstacle Courses

Obstacle courses using simple items like balance beams and cones provide proprioceptive and vestibular input. They encourage physical activity, coordination, and problem-solving, and can be adapted for different ages and abilities.

• Messy Play Activities

Messy play engages the senses, improves motor skills, and fosters creativity. Whether it’s finger painting, sensory bins, play dough, water play, sand play, or making mud pies, these activities provide valuable sensory input and encourage imaginative play.

Speaking of movement, let’s dive into some energetic and exciting movement activities that can channel all that endless energy.

Movement Activities

Movement activities are a fantastic way to provide sensory input for kids who are sensory seekers. These activities can help with proprioception (sense of body position) and vestibular input (sense of balance and movement). Here’s how you can engage your energetic little ones in an educational and fun way:

• Hopping Obstacle Course

Create a simple and fun hopping obstacle course using everyday items like cardboard boxes, hula hoops, or sticks. Arrange them in your living room or backyard, and have your child jump over, on, or between them. Add challenges by tweaking the rules, such as hopping on one foot or increasing the distance between obstacles. It's an easy, engaging activity that keeps kids active and entertained.

• Kids Movement Games

Classic movement games like Hopscotch, Follow the Leader, and Tag channel your child's energy while promoting physical activity. Games like Red Rover, Simon Says, and Freeze Dance offer hours of fun and help develop social skills like following instructions and taking turns.

• High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)

Kids can benefit from short bursts of high-energy exercises, perfect for fitting in physical activity before school. Try a 7-minute animal-themed HIIT workout to combine fun with fitness, helping kids sharpen focus and burn off excess energy quickly.

• Animal Walks

Encourage imaginative play and physical activity with animal walks, where kids mimic movements like a bear, crab, or snake. These walks engage different muscle groups, enhance proprioception, and are a fun way to get moving.

• Yoga

Yoga with your child provides calming, active sensory input. Explore online kid-friendly yoga classes or games like Yoga Spinner Game to promote flexibility, mindfulness, and relaxation—ideal for winding down or resetting after a busy day.

For parents managing high-energy kids, heavy work activities like pushing carts or pulling wagons can channel energy productively. Ready for more? Let’s explore some pressure and tactile activities that can provide the deep, calming input your child craves.

Pressure and Tactile Activities

One of the most effective ways to support children in managing sensory processing challenges is through pressure and tactile activities. These activities leverage the power of deep pressure and tactile input to enhance sensory awareness, self-regulation, and overall well-being.

• Body Socks

Body socks are stretchy garments that envelop the entire body, providing calming, uniform pressure. They offer deep proprioceptive input, improving body awareness and helping children relax during various activities like walking, sensory breaks, or quiet time.

• Deep Pressure Activities

Simple activities like lying on the floor or using tools like weighted lap pads or pressure cushions provide therapeutic deep pressure. These activities help the brain and nervous system feel organized, promoting calm and focus.

• Pillow Fighting

Pillow fights are a fun way to combine play with deep pressure input, allowing children to release energy while benefiting from proprioceptive input that helps with sensory regulation.

• Tight Spaces

Tight, enclosed spaces like playhouses, pop-up tents, or blanket forts provide a secure, calming environment. These spaces help reduce anxiety and offer a comforting, tactile experience.

• Weighted Blankets and Vests

Weighted blankets and vests offer consistent deep pressure, aiding in focus, relaxation, and sleep. They are particularly helpful at home or in classrooms for promoting calm in stressful situations.

Final Thoughts

That’s a wrap! Sensory-seeking activities might seem like a whirlwind of energy, but they’re also an incredible opportunity for your child to grow, explore, and thrive. From the thrill of a hopping obstacle course to the calming embrace of a body sock, these activities are all about turning that boundless energy into positive experiences. So, dive in and enjoy the ride—because every jump, spin, and squeeze is helping your child find their balance. 

Got some more ideas? We’d love to hear from you. Share your ideas and experiences with us in the comments below.