Fun Sensory Seeking Activities to Engage and Calm Your Child at Home

We all adjust sensory input every day to find what feels “just right.” When the music’s too soft, you turn up the volume to enjoy it. If your food tastes bland, you add a little seasoning. Everyone has their own sensory threshold, and we naturally make these adjustments to feel comfortable. These small changes help us create an environment where we can learn, function, and explore with ease.

The same is true for kids with sensory-seeking behaviors. They actively seek out sensory experiences to help them regulate their bodies and emotions. However, kids are often unaware of social norms and may engage in disruptive, even risky, behaviors to meet their sensory needs. 

Sensory-seeking behavior is common among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and motor delays, but even neurotypical kids.

Providing children with fun, sensory-seeking activities can help them feel calm and regulated. Soundsory^® complements these efforts with its structured program, offering a balanced mix of movement and auditory input.

Try Soundsory^® for 40 days to engage your child’s sensory system with structured, fun exercises.

What Does It Mean if My Child is Sensory Seeking?

A child is called “sensory-seeking” if they crave a lot of sensory stimulation. This happens when their sensory threshold is higher than average—meaning they need much more input to detect or process the same sensation [1]. Think of a child with a high sensory threshold, like someone with a large bucket compared to a regular cup—they need much more input to feel “full” or satisfied.

There are many reasons behind a child’s drive to seek out high intensity input. “For some, seeking input might be used to increase input to a particular system or systems because they’re not currently getting enough of the input to access higher level cognitive processes,” explained Erika Trump, MS, OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist at Spark Pediatric Therapy.

How a child behaves depends on the type of sensory input they’re craving. For example, a sensory-seeking child might spin around in circles to satisfy their need for vestibular input. Meanwhile, those seeking proprioceptive input might climb to great heights or crash into people or objects for their needed stimulation.

“On the opposite end, some kids appear “sensory seeking” and are really just trying to stay regulated or return to a regulated state because other systems are getting too much input. They’re using other systems in an attempt to downregulate their nervous system,” added Erika.

It’s important to remember that some sensory behaviors are just a normal part of growing up and not necessarily sensory-seeking or craving. For instance, babies love to explore by putting things in their mouths, and toddlers having bursts of energy (those classic “zoomies”) is completely normal.

How Can I Tell if My Child is Sensory Seeking or Has Another Condition?

Sensory seeking is a sensory integration or sensory processing problem. It’s a type of sensory modulation disorder under the umbrella of sensory processing disorder (SPD) [2]. Sensory modulation disorders happen when a child finds it hard to behave appropriately relative to the degree, intensity, or nature of the sensory input.

For example, a child might crave intense physical activities like jumping on furniture or spinning in circles to meet their sensory needs. Another example is constantly touching different textures, like running their hands along walls or objects.

“There is no single manifestation for children who are sensory seeking as this varies per child. To learn more about your child’s specific sensory-seeking needs, it is always best to consult an occupational therapist,” said Balboa.

Erika agrees: “When that movement is unsafe or it’s getting in the way of daily activities, it may be worth an evaluation to explore their capacities for sensory integration and regulation as a whole. That’s usually the distinguishing factor for me – is the need for movement interfering with participation in daily activities?  Having a thorough evaluation from an occupational therapist with advanced training in sensory integration will provide this needed insight.”

Erika added that parents may see TikTok reels that promise that they can help their kids. “But generic strategies without the skilled eye of a sensory integration-trained clinician will likely not provide the desired results.”

But while it’s a characteristic or trait that commonly occurs in children with ADHD and autism, it can also happen in those with other conditions and neurotypical kids. 

“A sensory-seeking child has poor awareness of his space, poor balance and coordination meanwhile, those with SPD may have other sensory issues like sensory avoidance on top of sensory craving. Kids who are sensory seeking don’t necessarily have SPD. I think the overlap could be that most kids with SPD have sensory seeking issues too,” explained Balboa.

What Activities Help Sensory-Seeking Kids at Home?

Providing sensory-rich activities can help organize your child’s sensory system—this reduces the “craving” that pushes them to constantly move and “seek” input. 

“For kids who truly are seeking high levels of sensory input because they’re not getting enough of it, finding ways to turn up the dial on those inputs can go a long way. Swing higher, crash harder, jump bigger,” explained Erika.

Here are some sensory-based activities you could try with your kids at home to meet their sensory needs. These are divided into different key sensory systems:

Proprioceptive activities:

• Jumping on trampolines
• Jumping jacks
• Pushing heavy objects
• Crawling through tunnels 

Vestibular input:

• Spinning on swings
• Downward dog
• Rocking chairs
• Rolling exercises
• Sky earth stretches

Tactile play:

• Playing with slime
• Textured toys
• Sand and water play

Auditory-movement integration:

• Using Soundsory^®’s multisensory program that combines music with movement exercises
• Playing with drums or other percussion instruments
• Listening games like Simon Says

Note: Many of the movement exercises in Soundsory targets sensory systems. Some even help with primitive reflex integration.

How Can I Calm Down a Sensory Seeker?

Sensory-seeking behaviors occur when there is an unmet sensory need. Fulfilling it using sensory activities allows them to get rich sensory “food” into their diet, which prevents them from getting “hungry” and resorting to disruptive, sometimes even aggressive and self-injurious behaviors.

“Pairing or following high-intensity inputs with regulating inputs (usually heavy work, deep pressure) can help the brain better integrate the sensations it receives to use them more appropriately,” explained Trump.

However, while sensory-seeking children need higher input, there’s a fine line between meeting it and getting sensory overload. If your child appears irritated, overwhelmed, or distressed, they may be overstimulated. 

Calming strategies like deep pressure activities (such as using weighted blankets or giving bear hugs), slow and rhythmical movements (like gentle rocking or swaying), or  Soundsory^®’s calming auditory input with soft music tracks paired with slow movement can help. 

Simply giving these activities is not enough. It’s important to be mindful and purposeful.

“Use a favorite puzzle or game in the movement activity to make the activity more goal focused and organized. All sensory activities should be done in the context of connected relationships to be effective. Simply sending your child to jump on the trampoline often isn’t enough. But jumping on the trampoline while you and your child sing a favorite song or playing a stop/go game really helps to process the sensory input,” Erika added.

Incorporating coordination and balance exercises can also support self-regulation. In addition to these activities, doing cerebellum exercises for ADHD, autism, and other conditions can help with self-regulation and reduce overstimulation. These exercises help promote body awareness and control, which has a calming, organizing effect on the nervous system. 

Another thing you could definitely do to prevent this is plan things throughout the day and prepare a sensory diet for your child. This way, you could provide structured sensory experiences to your child. 

Is Sensory Seeking a Sign of ADHD or Autism?

Sensory-seeking behaviors are common in both ADHD and autism but can also happen in children without these conditions. Research shows that about 90% of children with autism and many of those with ADHD experience sensory processing challenges, particularly in sensory modulation [3,4].

A common way kids self-regulate is through stimming—repeating sounds or movements like rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping. For children with autism, this often helps them meet sensory needs, while in ADHD, For instance, many people with ADHD use stims to focus, calm down, or release energy. 

How can Soundsory® Help Sensory Seekers?

Soundsory^® is a powerful tool for sensory seekers, offering a structured and engaging 40-day program that combines movement and auditory input to support sensory regulation.

By using a multisensory approach, Soundsory^® addresses vestibular, proprioceptive, and auditory needs simultaneously. This comprehensive method helps integrate sensory input more effectively, promoting better balance, coordination, and self-regulation.

The program’s structure is designed to ensure consistent engagement, helping children gradually build sensory processing skills. Parents and therapists have reported significant improvements in sensory regulation, with many testimonials highlighting how Soundsory^® has transformed daily routines and reduced disruptive behaviors.

What’s more, Soundsory^® isn’t just for kids—it works for adults, too, offering sensory support for anyone needing improved focus, coordination, or emotional regulation.

Ready to see the difference? Learn more about how Soundsory^® can help.

Final Thoughts: Helping Your Child with Sensory Seeking Activities at Home

Like everyone else, kids need sensory input to feel their best. By helping them meet these needs through activities like swinging, jumping, or tactile play, you can make a big difference. Regular sensory activities don’t just provide a sensory fix; they can also improve focus, emotional balance, and coordination. 

If you’re looking for extra support, Soundsory^® is a great resource to check out and can complement what you’re already doing.

Not sure where to start? Explore how to create a sensory diet that works for your child or find tailored options for children with autism or ADHD. If you feel your child may need more personalized help, consider consulting an occupational therapist specializing in sensory integration. They can provide occupational therapy activities that meet your child’s needs.

FAQs : Sensory Seeking Activities

What are sensory seeking activities at school?

Schools provide many opportunities for sensory-seeking children. Activities like carrying bags, pushing tables and chairs, PE classes, and playground games such as monkey bars, swings, and sand play can help meet their sensory needs.

What are safe sensory seeking activities for toddlers?

Toddlers are natural explorers, but they’re still developing the skills needed to navigate their environment safely. To support their sensory needs, choose activities that are fun and safe, such as animal walks, jumping on trampolines, walking on balance beams or river stones, giving tight hugs, or rolling them up snugly in a blanket (burrito rolls).

How long should sensory activities last? 

The duration of sensory activities depends on each child’s needs and can vary even throughout the day. Some children may benefit from a few minutes of sensory input, while others might need longer sessions. 

A child’s current state and the demands of their environment play a big role in determining what they need. Working with an occupational therapist (OT) can help, as they’re trained to identify signs of overstimulation and create “just right” challenges tailored to the child.

Can Soundsory® help calm adults as well as children?

Yes, Soundsory^® is designed to support anyone with sensory needs, from young children to adults. The program adapts to different age groups, offering flexibility and customization. Adults have the freedom to improvise their own exercises or select movements that suit them best while listening to the music. They can also choose when to complete the exercises, making it easy to fit into their daily routine.

References

1. Case-Smith J. & O’Brien J. C. (2010). Occupational therapy for children (6th ed.). Mosby/Elsevier.
2. Miller, L. J., Anzalone, M. E., Lane, S. J., Cermak, S. A., & Osten, E. T. (2007). Concept evolution in sensory integration: a proposed nosology for diagnosis. The American journal of occupational therapy : official publication of the American Occupational Therapy Association, 61(2), 135–140. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.2.135
3. Balasco, L., Provenzano, G., & Bozzi, Y. (2020). Sensory Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Focus on the Tactile Domain, From Genetic Mouse Models to the Clinic. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 1016. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.01016
4. Keating, J., Bramham, J., & Downes, M. (2021). Sensory modulation and negative affect in children at familial risk of ADHD. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 112, 103904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2021.103904