Tactile Activities to Try at Home

Helping children engage with a variety of touch-based activities can enhance their tactile processing, particularly when you include both light touch and deep pressure inputs.

Light Touch Activities

• Finger painting or using a sensory tray with sand, rice, or dry beans to make shapes and letters.
• Brushing activities with a soft brush on their skin or textured items (like sponges) during bath time.
• Playing with textures: Encourage them to touch different materials like feathers, soft fabrics, or pom-poms.
• Nature exploration: Have your child touch leaves, grass, tree bark, and smooth rocks when outside.

Deep Pressure Activities

• Hugging games or “squeezes” from stuffed animals: Use heavy stuffed animals or weighted blankets for calming pressure.
• Pillow squishes: Have your child lie under a pile of pillows or couch cushions with gentle pressure (always supervised).
• Weighted vests or blankets: Short periods of wearing weighted items can help children feel grounded.
• Crashing games: have your child jump and crash onto cushioned surfaces or a crash mat.

Mixed Tactile Activities

• Playdough, clay, or putty: Squeezing, rolling, and shaping helps with both touch and fine motor skills.
• Sensory bins: Fill bins with rice, pasta, or water beads and hide small objects for your child to find. These activities expose them to textures with both light touch and deep pressure.
• Massage or lotion application: Use lotion to give your child a gentle hand or foot massage, helping them tolerate and enjoy firm touch.
• Cooking tasks: Let your child knead dough, stir ingredients, or measure dry and wet materials.