6 Activity Ideas for a Sensory-Friendly Party for Children

Kids with sensory processing issues have difficulty understanding information from their senses. Some are oversensitive to light, sound, or touch, while others need a lot of sensory input to feel comfortable. Some kids might love intense movement, while others might avoid it.

Kids with sensory issues often have a hard time dealing with chaotic or unpredictable situations. Birthday parties are a great example of this: lots of people, loud noises, and new and stimulating activities. This can quickly become overwhelming for a child with sensory issues. 

There are many ways to ensure that events are enjoyable for children with sensory challenges and everyone else. If you’re planning a sensory-friendly party for your child, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some options to consider:

• Bouncy and Active Games – Bouncy, active games are perfect for kids who need to move around. Having a limited number of kids participating at once will help them stay focused and not get overstimulated. A start and stop-turn timer will add structure and help kids handle the excitement more easily. Letting kids return for more turns as they like will keep them interested and engaged.
• Water Activities – Water activities are a great way to have fun and cool off in the summer. You can find splash pads and water tables at many parks and playgrounds. If you have a party with a theme, you can incorporate water activities into the fun. For example, you can find pirate ships and islands on a water table or firefighter hoses on a splash pad.
• Scavenger Hunt – Players look for specific items in a scavenger hunt based on clues they receive. To make the game collaborative, players should work together to find the items instead of competing against each other. Each player should have a turn reading a clue and answering it. Players who don’t know the answer to a clue can ask their friends for help.
• Craft Projects – Kids will love being able to create their own version of a craft project. This will also help them to be more creative and to use their imaginations.
• Finger Painting – Finger painting is a fun activity that children of all ages can enjoy. Choosing a large space to set up the activity is important, as it can get messy. An outline can be created on a large sheet of paper to help guide the children as they paint. They can then add their own handprints and splatters to the design.
• Movie Time – Movies that are lighthearted and without a lot of drama can be more enjoyable for kids with sensory issues. They can have more fun if you get creative with how you seat them. For example, you can make cars out of boxes for an imaginary drive-in movie or let them use towels to pretend they’re at the beach. This will give children who are more sensory-seeking their own space and help them watch the movie without bothering their peers. You can also give each child a small fidget item to keep them occupied.

Conclusion

If you are looking for ideas to make your next party more sensory-friendly, consider these five activities. By considering the needs of guests with sensory processing issues, you can ensure that everyone has a good time.

Burgess Events offers professional event planning services, utilizing innovative ideas to add excitement and motivation to your next event! We are the Southeast’s premier special event rentals company based in Atlanta, Georgia. If you need party planning services in Alpharetta, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us today!