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October 2, 2012 | 31 Comments

21 Five Senses Activities For Kids

The Five Senses is a classic preschool theme because young kids learn through these senses. While I plan my preschool lesson plans I try to visit and revisit the 5 senses multiple times during the year. It’s so easy to work 5 senses activities into other themes and your students will love it. If you have ever watched a baby mouth objects it’s not because they are hungry or really really want to gross you out it’s because they are exploring how they feel with their mouths. These 21 activities are specifically designed with one of the 5 senses  (or more) in mind. One of the best things about exploring the five senses is that these activities always encourage learners to describe what they are sensing opening up a wonderful opportunity to widen their vocabulary through sensory play.

picture of a preschooler smelling a marker with 5 senses activities for kids

Five Senses Activities for Kids

Sense of Touch Activities for Preschool

Every time you get the playdough out you are doing a sensory activity focused on the sense of touch, but these resource ideas take that one step further for even richer lesson plans and preschool experiences in your preschool or PreK classroom.
Monster Slime
Rainbow Gelatin Sensory Tub
Sandpaper Sun
Shaving Cream Puffy Paint Projects
Texture Sorting
Touch Box Guessing Game
Touch & Feel Alphabet

Sense of Taste Activities

Using food in your early childhood education classroom may not be permitted, but I want to encourage these preschool lessons if you are allowed to use them. Exploring food is a wonderful way to learn about the five senses as well as about your own and other cultures.
Ice Cream Taste Test
Paint & Eat Waffles
Apple Taste Test 
Yogurt Painting

Sense of Smell Activity Ideas for Preschool

I love teaching about the 5 senses and one of the best parts is exploring smell! Kids love to do smelling activities and be the judge about what does and doesn’t smell good.
Which Smells Better Group Activity
Smelly Marker Exploration 
Fruity Scented Playdough

Sense of Sight Activities

Pretty much everything you teach in your preschool or kindergarten classroom has some element of using your sight. These sense of sight learning activities focus just a little bit more and invite your students to really distinguish and discriminate with their vision.
Backyard Photo Safari
Custom Eye Spy Book
Alphabet Search Sensory Bottle
Read & Find Game

 

Sense of Hearing

Focusing on listening is an important early literacy activity so use these ideas often in your class to help your student develop a discerning ear for sounds long before they need to use it to discriminate between letter sounds as they learn phonics.
Painting with Sound 
Listen & Find Word Search
Sound Safari

Want more great preschool lesson plans?

Filed Under: 5 senses, Age Preschool, Age: Toddlers, Preschool Activities, Round Up, Sensory Activities | 31 Comments

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31 Comments

  1. Maro says

    October 2, 2012 at 4:14 am

    Great round up of five senses activities! There are so many ideas that can be done easily with all age groups! I love your roundups!

    to Maro" aria-label='reply to this comment to Maro'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      October 2, 2012 at 7:26 am

      Glad you like them! I used to love teaching this unit every year.

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  2. Jen Fischer says

    October 2, 2012 at 8:14 am

    One of our favorite sensory bins is our bee in – it is great for exploring all five senses. As always, I love your round-ups and ideas!! http://jennifischer.blogspot.com/2012/07/bees-sensory-bin-honey-painting.html

    to Jen Fischer" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jen Fischer'>reply to this comment
  3. Nina says

    October 2, 2012 at 9:34 am

    Thank you for a great list of fun to-dos! I’ve bookmarked this page.

    to Nina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Nina'>reply to this comment
  4. Kristina says

    October 2, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    What great activities! I definitely will be trying out the ice cream taste test 🙂 Pinned this!

    to Kristina" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kristina'>reply to this comment
  5. Montessori Motherload says

    October 3, 2012 at 5:56 am

    Nice list! Thank you for sharing it. I’m bookmarking this page!

    to Montessori Motherload" aria-label='reply to this comment to Montessori Motherload'>reply to this comment
  6. amie says

    March 28, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I just planned a preschool unit on the 5 senses and your ideas were super helpful!! THANKS!

    to amie" aria-label='reply to this comment to amie'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      March 28, 2013 at 10:26 am

      So happy to help!

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  7. Barbara Leyne says

    May 10, 2013 at 10:58 pm

    These are FABULOUS! I’m linking this post to my blog. Thank you!!

    to Barbara Leyne" aria-label='reply to this comment to Barbara Leyne'>reply to this comment
    • Allison McDonald says

      May 11, 2013 at 8:37 pm

      Thanks Barbara ! I am off to check out your blog.

      to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  8. Jennifer Fischer says

    May 25, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    As usual, a great round up! Pinned! We loved exploring all five senses with our Bee Sensory Bin + Honey Painting. http://jennifischer.blogspot.com/2012/07/bees-sensory-bin-honey-painting.html

    to Jennifer Fischer" aria-label='reply to this comment to Jennifer Fischer'>reply to this comment
  9. Rohan says

    April 20, 2014 at 10:53 pm

    Great list of activities for kids. Thanks for sharing.

    Rohan

    to Rohan" aria-label='reply to this comment to Rohan'>reply to this comment
  10. LizzyD says

    November 9, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    so cool, i really enjoy looking at this list. Just taught the senses to my first graders and was looking for unique activities to cement the lesson. I am definitely putting these in my plans! 😉

    to LizzyD" aria-label='reply to this comment to LizzyD'>reply to this comment
  11. El duende Felipe cuentacuentos says

    March 8, 2018 at 6:58 am

    Wow, fantastic !. Im thinking about storytelling and these activities for kids.

    to El duende Felipe cuentacuentos" aria-label='reply to this comment to El duende Felipe cuentacuentos'>reply to this comment
  12. debakshi says

    March 28, 2018 at 6:39 am

    very bad not good for health

    to debakshi" aria-label='reply to this comment to debakshi'>reply to this comment
  13. Montessori Velcro Dressing Frame says

    October 23, 2018 at 2:51 am

    Productive content! I am quite impressive from what you have shared in your blog. Thank you for sharing this blog with us.

    to Montessori Velcro Dressing Frame" aria-label='reply to this comment to Montessori Velcro Dressing Frame'>reply to this comment
  14. gotporn says

    November 6, 2019 at 3:07 pm

    What special senses do you remember from your beach trips? Comment below to share what your child(ren) find(s) especially fascinating, and enjoy!

    to gotporn" aria-label='reply to this comment to gotporn'>reply to this comment
  15. Lynda Hamblen says

    July 26, 2021 at 2:31 pm

    I have been reading posts regarding this topic and this post is one of the most interesting and informative one I have read. Thank you for this!

    to Lynda Hamblen" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lynda Hamblen'>reply to this comment

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