25 Christmas Sensory Activities for Kids

These Christmas sensory activities are sure to be great boredom busters for kids while they’re stuck indoors! I’ve included a wide range of sensory activities toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and older kids are going to love.

If you’re not familiar with sensory activities, they are activities that stimulate all of our senses. These activities help kids of all ages explore the world around them as well as their own bodies! It also helps with developing fine and gross motor skills, cognitive development, and is very calming for kids who struggle with anxiety or regulating emotions.

I could go on and on about how great sensory activities are! We love to find every excuse to put them together – and you can find a huge list of sensory activities for all kinds of themes and occasions HERE.

Below I’ve put together some of our favorite sensory activities that are all Christmas themed! They are all fun, engaging, and very festive. I’ve done my best to include a wide range of options – many are super quick to put together in order to make it easy for you.

But now, let’s get to the list of Christmas sensory activities!

 

The Best Festive Christmas Sensory Activities

Baby Play with Christmas Lights

 

 

Unfortunately, Christmas lights aren’t safe to play with on their own but even babies can safely enjoy them this way.

 

 

 

Plant a Christmas Tree in Play Dough

 

 

Super simple, not messy, and highly engaging – a great sensory and fine motor activity if you need to fill a few minutes 🙂

 

 

 

Gingerbread Playdough Recipe by Natural Beach Living

 

 

If your kids love to help making gingerbread cookies, they will LOVE this activity! Decorate gingerbread men over and over and re-use the play dough until you have to throw out it out.

 

 

Chocolate Reindeer Playdough by Fantastic Fun and Learning

 

 

Playdough invitations are such a fun way to get kids playing! For this recipe, you make some chocolate playdough and set out accessories for kids to enjoy.

 

 

Snowman Playdough Activity by Mommy Musings

 

 

Who says it needs to snow to make a snowman? This activity is so fun as kids decorate their own snowman. How cute is he?!

 

Grinch Playdough Recipe by Messy Little Monster

 

 

We couldn’t possibly forget the grinch, could we?! Another fun invitation to sensory play activity that kids will enjoy featuring their favorite Christmas character.

 

Or make (or buy) some different colors of play dough and decorate these Christmas Tree Play Dough Mats!

 

 

They’re a part of my 24 Days of Christmas Printables for Toddlers series, and I’ve included five different trees to get your kids’ creativity going no matter what they prefer.

 

 

Peppermint Christmas Playdough by Childhood 101

 

 

I love the smell of this peppermint playdough! Add in lots of Christmas accessories for lots of Christmas sensory fun.

 

 

Candy Cane Playdough by Kids Activities Blog

 

 

This playdough not only smells good but looks so fun too! Twisting the candy cane together is great for kids’ fine motor skills.

 

 

 

You can use the same technique with a different type of dough and make Salt Dough Candy Cane Ornaments for your Christmas tree.

 

 

For this craft, we used cookie cutters for a different look.

 

 

Grinch Slime Recipe by Little Bins for Little Hands

 

 

Glittery, green, and the grinch all thrown into slime! This recipe includes directions to make it even more fluffy. Perfect activity before sitting down for a Christmas movie night.

 

 

 

Fluffy Santa Slime by the Best Ideas for Kids

 

 

Speaking of fluffy slime recipes, you have to try out this fluffy santa recipe! You could also add some peppermint oil to stimulate more senses.

 

 

 

Candy Cane Slime by My Joy Filled Life

 

 

We have LOVED the consistency of this candy cane slime and the smell is pretty amazing. It smells about as good as the candy!

 

Elf Snot Slime by Everyday Shortcuts

 

 

The kids really get a kick out of this one! The recipe shows using it as a silly way to give out gift cards, but it’s a great activity at home too. Kids are sure to laugh it up as soon as you say elf snot LOL!!

 

 

 

Glittery Snow Slime by I Heart Crafty Things

 

 

This glittery snow slime is so much fun throughout winter! Pack it up in some ornaments and hang them on your tree for even more fun.

 

Gingerbread Cloud Dough by Sugar, Spice, and Glitter

 

 

Cloud dough is one of our favorite activities but this gingerbread one is perfect for this time of year. Toss it in a bin with a few accessories and you might be able to have your coffee or tea in peace 🙂

 

 

 

Melted Snowman Jar by Life Over Cs

 

 

Sensory jars are so fun to watch and are great for regulating emotions. Kids will love helping put this together and seeing the melted snowman move around!

 

 

 

Melted Snowman Sensory Activity by Preschool Inspirations

 

 

This one can get quite messy but it is so much fun! Kids love digging their hands into this bin and playing with the melted snowman pieces!

 

 

 

Snowy Sensory Play by Powerful Mothering

 

 

Who says snow is only for outside? Bring it inside for this fun sensory play bin and enjoy snow without needing a bulky snowsuit 🙂

 

 

 

Santa Snot by Laughing Kids Learn

 

 

Okay, this looks even more awesome than the elf snot activity, ha! The idea is pretty gross but isn’t that just what kids gravitate to naturally? And of course it also screams Christmas – either way kids will just love playing with this.

 

 

 

Grinch Calming Jars by My Heavenly Recipes

 

 

I love how beautiful these grinch jars look! They would come in handy for an overwhelmed toddler during the holiday chaos or simply as a fun activity at home.

 

 

 

Bells, Bows and Peppermint Christmas Sensory Bin by Glue Sticks and Gumdrops

 

I love how many senses this bin incorporates! And can it get any more festive than incorporating bows, bells, and the smell of peppermint.

 

 

 

Christmas Glitter Slime by Sugar, Spice, and Glitter

 

 

 I’ve included quite a few glitter slime recipes on this list but they really are so fun! This recipe has so many fun colors that really come together with the glitter. Oh, and did I mention it’s super stretchy too?

 

 

 

Christmas Sensory Bin by Stay at Home Educator

 

 

Sensory activities don’t have to be complicated or very messy! This sensory bin is so quick and easy to put together and won’t end up with the kids having to take a bath. Christmas colored pom poms paired with some accessories and you’ll have the kids engaged and busy for a while!

 

 

 

I Spy Winter Wonderland Sensory Bag by Mama Instincts

 

 

This winter sensory bag is PERFECT for eye coordination as kids search through the bag to see what fun things they can find! Serves as a great activity on long car rides too.

 

 

 

Christmas Pattern Block Sensory Bag by STEAMsational

 

 

This is another great sensory activity that doubles as a road trip activity. Kids will love putting together different Christmas shapes using block patterns.

 

Phew, that was a lot of Christmas sensory activities! How fun are they?! Which one are you going to try first?