The Power of Sensory Play: Why It’s Essential for Child Development

muhammad82
Jul 29
4 min read

What Is Sensory Play?

Sensory play is more than just a fun way to spend time with your child. It’s one of the most powerful tools we have to support healthy child development, especially as by the age of 5, a child’s brain is 90% developed.¹

At The Third Place for Kids, we’ve built our entire space around the principles of sensory play, because we know how transformative it can be. In this article, you’ll learn what sensory play is, why it matters for young children, and how our environment is designed to support your child’s growth while offering you peace of mind.

Sensory play refers to any activity that stimulates a child’s senses, touch, sight, hearing, smell, taste, and even movement.²It helps children explore the world and begin to understand it in a safe and engaging way. Every child benefits immensely from sensory play as it helps them engage with the world around them in meaningful ways.

Sensory play is especially helpful for neurodivergent children because it gives them a safe and fun way to explore the world using their senses. It can calm anxious feelings, build focus, and help with things like coordination and communication. Most importantly, it lets them learn and express themselves in the way that feels most natural to them.

At The Third Place for Kids, we provide hands-on sensory play experiences using specially designed sensory environments and sensory toys that encourage curiosity and confidence, especially for children who are neurodivergent or have additional needs. From soft-textured sensory stations to calming lighting in our rooms, every detail is carefully considered.

According to Forbes, sensory play supports brain development by strengthening connections needed for problem-solving, fine motor skills, and communication.³

Why Sensory Play Matters

With children’s minds developing at a rapid pace, engaging in sensory play during this time lays the groundwork for learning, focus, and emotional resilience. For children, sensory activities such as scooping, pouring, and exploring textures help build confidence and independence. Even the act of feeling something new or watching a toy move in water contributes to cognitive growth.

At The Third Place for Kids, we offer sensory play for children that is tailored to a variety of interests. Our inclusive environment is specifically designed to meet your child where they are, giving them the freedom to learn at their own pace, and giving you the reassurance that they are thriving.

The Long-Term Benefits of Sensory Play

Research from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child shows that sensory-rich environments support a child’s executive functioning, which helps with memory, emotional regulation, and learning later in life.⁴

Regular sensory play activities can:

● Build stronger communication skills

● Support physical coordination and balance

● Reduce anxiety through calming, repetitive motions

● Strengthen parent-child bonding

These outcomes are especially important for children with sensory processing challenges. At The Third Place for Kids, we work hard to make sure every child can access these benefits in a safe, welcoming space that feels like home.

Why This Even Matters

If you’ve ever found yourself googling things like “sensory play near me” or “sensory play nearby” at 2am or feeling like no one gets what you’re going through, this is for you. You’re not alone. And you don’t need to do it all alone either. Whether you’ve just heard of sensory play or already have a house full of squishy toys and noise machines, this is your gentle reminder that there’s a whole world of support out there. Places like The Third Place for Kids design sensory play activities for infants that make learning come alive. We’ve created an inclusive play space where we’ve taken great care to ensure all the details are well thought out.

Sensory Play Ideas You Can Try at Home

Whilst visiting us offers plenty of benefits for your child, it is also useful to know ways in which you can create a sensory friendly environment at home too.⁵We love to help families take the magic of sensory play home with them. You don’t need to spend a lot. What matters is creating simple experiences that engage the senses and spark curiosity.

Popular activities include:

● Sensory bins with rice or pasta

● Low-sound musical play

● Soft fabric tunnels and cozy corners for movement

Some of our favorite sensory play ideas include:

● Shallow water bins with floating toys

● Treasure baskets filled with soft, bumpy, and shiny objects

● Frozen items for tactile exploration

● Playing music while painting or finger drawing

If you enjoy these at home, you’ll find even more inspiration in our play sessions at The Third Place for Kids. Each activity is rooted in research and tailored to the sensory and emotional needs of our visitors.

Looking for Sensory Play Near You?

If you’re searching for sensory play near you, and you’re based in Parker, Colorado, The Third Place for Kids is your local hub for all things sensory. Our center is built for children with neurodivergence, disabilities, and sensory processing challenges; children who don’t fit into any of these categories are also welcome! We’ve carefully created a space where all children can thrive!

We’re more than a play space. We’re a community. From structured sessions to open-ended play environments, everything is guided by a team that understands how to help your child thrive.

Families often tell us that this is the first place where they’ve truly felt seen and supported, where their children feel completely free to be themselves.

Ready to explore?

Drop in for a session, try a free day pass, or check out our schedule of sensory-focused workshops and events. Sensory play starts here, and so does your child’s journey to confidence, calm, and connection.

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