Sensory Integration Activities at Home: Simple Daily Exercises for Better Focus, Calm & Development

Nivera Child Development Centre > Sensory Integration Therapy > Sensory Integration Activities at Home: Simple Daily Exercises for Better Focus, Calm & Development

Many children struggle with focus, restlessness, sensitivity to sound/touch, picky eating, or emotional outbursts. Often, these challenges are connected to how the brain processes sensory information. The good news is that sensory integration activities at home can help children feel calmer, improve attention, and support learning—especially when done consistently.

At Nivera Child Development Centre in Kochi, our occupational therapists guide parents with practical, home-friendly sensory activities that support children with autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder (SPD), developmental delay, and learning difficulties. This blog explains easy, safe sensory integration activities you can do at home using simple items—without expensive equipment.

What is Sensory Integration?

Sensory integration is the brain’s ability to receive, organize, and respond appropriately to sensory inputs like touch, movement, sound, smell, taste, and body awareness. When sensory processing is not smooth, a child may overreact (hypersensitive) or underreact (hyposensitive) to everyday sensations.

Sensory integration therapy helps the brain process these sensations better. Along with clinic sessions, home sensory activities strengthen progress and help children regulate emotions and behavior.

Who Can Benefit from Sensory Integration Activities at Home?

Home sensory activities are helpful for children who show signs like:

✅Easily distracted, difficulty sitting still

✅ Fear of swings/slides or movement (or constantly seeking movement)

✅ Strong dislike for haircuts, nail cutting, certain clothes

✅ Avoiding messy play, sand, slime, or textures

✅ Frequent meltdowns, mood swings, irritability

✅ Picky eating and oral sensory issues

✅ Poor handwriting, weak pencil grip, low endurance

✅ Difficulty with balance, coordination, and posture

These activities are especially useful for children with:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, sensory processing disorder, cerebral palsy, dyspraxia, developmental delay, learning disability, speech delay.

Sensory Integration Activities at Home

1. Proprioceptive Activities (Heavy Work) – Best for Calm & Focus

Proprioception is body awareness from muscles and joints. “Heavy work” activities are the fastest way to calm the nervous system.

Try these at home:

✅ Pushing a wall for 10–20 seconds (wall push-ups)

✅ Carrying books/grocery bags from one room to another

✅ Animal walks: bear walk, crab walk, frog jumps

✅ Pulling a laundry basket filled with toys

✅ Rolling a child in a blanket like a “burrito”

✅ Chair push-ups (push body up from chair using hands)

Best for: hyperactivity, emotional outbursts, poor attention, anxiety.

2. Vestibular Activities (Movement & Balance)

Vestibular input comes from the inner ear and helps balance, posture, and coordination.

Safe vestibular activities:

✅ Swinging (slow first, then moderate)

✅ Rocking on a rocking chair

✅ Spinning on office chair (only a few turns!)

✅ Jumping on mattress or mini trampoline

✅ Walking on a straight line (masking tape line)

✅ Simple yoga poses (tree pose, downward dog)

Best for: balance issues, clumsiness, fear of movement, poor posture.

⚠️ Avoid too much spinning. Stop if child looks pale, dizzy, or irritated.

3. Tactile Activities (Touch Sensory Play)

Tactile input helps children tolerate textures and improve fine motor skills.

Tactile play ideas:

✅ Sensory bins: rice, dal, sand, flour, beans

✅ Finger painting / sponge painting

✅ Play dough squeezing, rolling, cutting

✅ Water play: pouring cups, sponges, bubbles

✅ “Mystery bag” game: guess objects by touch

✅ Shaving cream drawing on mirror/table

Best for: texture sensitivity, handwriting difficulty, sensory defensiveness.

4. Oral Sensory Activities (Mouth & Chewing for Regulation)

Oral input is powerful for calming and improving attention.

Home oral sensory activities:

✅ Chewy foods: carrot sticks, apple slices (age appropriate)

✅ Crunchy snacks: roasted chana, crackers

✅ Thick smoothies through straw

✅ Blowing bubbles / whistles

✅ Cotton ball race using straw (blowing)

Best for: mouthing objects, chewing clothes, speech clarity support, calmi

5. Visual Sensory Activities (Eye Tracking & Attention)

Visual processing affects reading, writing, copying from board, and focus.

Activities:

✅ Torchlight tracking (follow light on wall)

✅ “I Spy” game

✅ Spot-the-difference puzzles

✅ Matching cards

✅ Ball catching / balloon volleyball

✅ Maze worksheets

Best for: poor attention, reading issues, copying mistakes, eye coordination.

6. Auditory Sensory Activities (Sound Processing Support)

Some children are sensitive to noise or struggle to filter sounds.

Try:

✅ Soft music during homework

✅ Rhythm clapping games

✅ “Guess the sound” game (keys, water bottle, bell)

✅ Listening to stories with headphones (low volume)

✅ White noise for sleep

Best for: noise sensitivity, speech/language processing, classroom difficulty.

A Simple Daily Sensory Diet Routine (10–20 Minutes)

A sensory diet is a planned set of activities done daily for regulation.

Highly recommended activities

Morning (before school):

Wall push-ups + jumping (5 minutes)

After school:

Heavy work: carry books + animal walk (5–10 minutes)

Evening:

Tactile play + oral activity (5–10 minutes)

Before sleep:

Blanket burrito + slow rocking (5 minutes)

This routine supports calm behavior, better attention, improved handwriting, and smoother transitions.

Common Mistakes Parents Should Avoid

Many parents try sensory play but don’t see results because of these mistakes:

✅ Doing activities randomly without routine

✅ Too much movement input (spinning/jumping) causing overexcitement

✅ Forcing sensory play when child is fearful

✅ Not observing triggers and responses

✅ Not combining clinic therapy + home practice

At Nivera Child Development Centre Kochi, we create a customized home sensory plan based on your child’s sensory profile.

When Should You Consult an Occupational Therapist?

You should consult a pediatric occupational therapist if:

✅ Sensory issues affect school performance or daily routine

✅ Child has frequent meltdowns and poor self-regulation

✅ Child avoids textures, foods, grooming, or social situations

✅ There is delayed fine motor development and handwriting issues

✅ Child shows signs of autism/ADHD or developmental delay

Early support improves long-term outcomes.

Why Choose Nivera Child Development Centre, Kochi?

At Nivera Child Development Centre in Kochi, Kerala, we offer Sensory Integration Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Behavior Therapy, and Pediatric Physiotherapy under one roof. Our child-friendly environment, expert therapists, and structured therapy programs help children build independence and confidence.

We guide parents with:

✅ home sensory integration activities

✅ sensory diet plans

✅ school support strategies

✅ parent training sessions

vision for your kid

Help Your Child Feel Calm, Focused & Confident

If your child struggles with sensory overload, attention issues, or behavior challenges, our experts can help. Book a Sensory Integration Therapy assessment in Kochi at Nivera Child Development Centre and get a personalized home sensory plan.

FAQ – Sensory Integration Activities at Home

What are sensory integration activities?

They are activities that help the brain process sensory input better—touch, movement, sound, body awareness—so children can regulate emotions and behavior.

Can sensory integration be done at home?

Yes. Home activities support therapy progress. However, for strong sensory issues, professional assessment is recommended.

What is a sensory diet?

A sensory diet is a daily routine of sensory activities designed to help a child stay calm, alert, and organized.

Which sensory activities calm a hyperactive child?

Proprioceptive activities like wall push-ups, carrying weights, animal walks, and blanket rolling are most calming.

Are sensory activities useful for autism?

Yes. Children with autism often benefit from sensory integration activities to improve regulation, attention, and daily functioning.

Are sensory integration activities helpful for ADHD?

Absolutely. They help improve focus, reduce restlessness, and support self-control.

How long should sensory activities be done daily?

Usually 10–30 minutes daily, depending on the child. Consistency is more important than duration.

Can sensory play improve handwriting?

Yes. Tactile and proprioceptive activities strengthen fine motor skills, pencil grip, and hand endurance.

Is sensory integration therapy scientifically supported?

It is widely used in occupational therapy practice, especially for children with sensory processing challenges.

When should I seek sensory therapy in Kochi?

If sensory issues affect daily life, school participation, sleep, feeding, or behavior, consult a pediatric occupational therapist.