Children learn best through hands-on experiences—and what better way to spark their curiosity than by exploring the five senses? Engaging in sensory activities not only strengthens observation skills but also supports brain development, communication, and motor skills.

Here are three fun, simple activities you can do at home to help your child explore and test their senses kindly provided by a Primary School in Guildford.

1. Mystery Box – Sense of Touch

This classic game is a brilliant way to challenge your child’s sense of touch and descriptive language.

What you’ll need:

• A cardboard box or a bag
• Everyday objects with different textures (e.g., a sponge, a feather, a toy car, a piece of fruit, cotton wool)

How to play:
Place one object inside the box or bag without letting your child see it. Ask them to reach in and feel the object using only their hands—no peeking! Encourage them to describe what they feel: Is it soft or hard? Rough or smooth? Big or small? Then have them guess what the object is.

Skills developed:

• Tactile discrimination
• Descriptive language
• Critical thinking

2. Sound Safari – Sense of Hearing

Turn your home or garden into a sound adventure by tuning in to everyday noises.

What you’ll need:

• A quiet space
• Pen and paper (optional)

How to play:
Sit quietly with your child and listen carefully. What sounds can you hear? Birds chirping? A car driving past? A ticking clock? Challenge your child to identify and count the sounds they hear. You can even make a simple checklist or bingo sheet to tick off common sounds.

Skills developed:

• Auditory awareness
• Concentration
• Environmental observation

3. Taste Test – Sense of Taste

A taste test is a tasty and exciting way to explore different flavours.

What you’ll need:

• A blindfold
• A selection of small food samples (e.g., apple slices, lemon, cheese, dark chocolate, cucumber)

How to play:
Blindfold your child and let them taste each food item one at a time. Ask them to describe what they taste—Is it sweet, salty, sour, or bitter? Then see if they can guess what it is. Talk about textures too: Is it crunchy, soft, juicy?

Top tip: Make sure to check for allergies beforehand and use familiar foods for younger children.

Skills developed:

• Taste recognition
• Vocabulary building
• Sensory confidence

Final Thoughts

Exploring the senses through play is a fantastic way to encourage curiosity and awareness in your child. These simple activities don’t require expensive materials—just a little imagination and a willingness to get involved. So next time your child is looking for something fun to do, give their senses a workout and watch them discover the world in new and exciting ways.