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Spook-tacular Sensory Play Ideas for Halloween


Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to engage young minds with some fun and spooky sensory play! Sensory activities are not only entertaining but also help children develop essential skills like fine motor coordination, problem-solving, and creativity. Here are some exciting Halloween-themed sensory play ideas that will keep little hands busy and imaginations soaring!

Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to engage young minds with some fun and spooky sensory play! Sensory activities are not only entertaining but also help children develop essential skills like fine motor coordination, problem-solving, and creativity. Here are some exciting Halloween-themed sensory play ideas that will keep little hands busy and imaginations soaring!


Witch’s Brew Sensory Bin

What You Need:

  • A large bin or tray

  • Dried black beans or rice

  • Plastic spiders, eyeballs, and other spooky toys

  • Small cups, spoons, and containers


How to Play: Fill the bin with dried beans or rice as the base. Add in the plastic toys and encourage kids to scoop, pour, and explore. You can even add some glow-in-the-dark items for a fun twist! This activity is great for tactile exploration and imaginative play.


Pumpkin Slime

What You Need:

  • 1 cup of orange school glue

  • 1/2 cup of water

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 cup of contact lens solution

  • Pumpkin spice or cinnamon (for scent)

  • Glitter (optional)


How to Make:

  1. In a bowl, mix the glue and water.

  2. Add the baking soda and stir until combined.

  3. Slowly add the contact lens solution, mixing until it forms slime.

  4. Add pumpkin spice and glitter for that extra Halloween flair!


How to Play: Let the kids stretch, squish, and mold their pumpkin slime. It’s a delightful sensory experience that also introduces basic science concepts!


Spooky Sensory Bottles

What You Need:

  • Clear plastic bottles or jars

  • Water

  • Clear glue or glycerin

  • Halloween-themed items (glitter, sequins, plastic spiders, etc.)

  • Food coloring (optional)


How to Make: Fill the bottles with water, then add glue, food coloring, and your spooky items. Seal the tops securely.


How to Play: Encourage children to shake and observe the bottles. This calming activity promotes visual exploration and can be used for quiet time or to help regulate emotions.


Ghostly Dough

What You Need:

  • 2 cups of flour

  • 1 cup of salt

  • 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil

  • 2 cups of water

  • Halloween-themed cookie cutters

  • Black and orange food coloring (optional)


How to Make: Combine all ingredients in a pot over medium heat, stirring until it forms a dough. Let it cool and knead until smooth.


How to Play: Kids can roll, shape, and cut out ghosts, pumpkins, and other Halloween shapes. You can even encourage them to use googly eyes and other craft supplies to decorate their creations!


Monster Footprint Painting

What You Need:

  • Non-toxic washable paint

  • Large sheets of paper

  • Aprons or old shirts


How to Play: Dip children’s feet in paint and have them make footprints on the paper. Once dry, they can turn their footprints into monsters by adding googly eyes, mouths, and other fun decorations!


Tips for Sensory Play Success

  • Supervise Closely: Always supervise young children during sensory play, especially with small items.

  • Encourage Exploration: Allow kids to explore freely and express their creativity. Ask open-ended questions to stimulate their thinking.

  • Clean Up Easily: Use tablecloths or large trays to contain the mess, making cleanup easier.


Sensory play is a fantastic way to engage with Halloween while helping children develop vital skills. These activities are not only fun but also encourage creativity and exploration. Share your sensory play experiences with us on social media, and don’t forget to pin this post for easy access to these Halloween ideas!

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