Christmas is full of excitement and lots of sensory experiences. From gingerbread cookies baking in the oven and the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree, to the feel of walking in freshly fallen snow and the sound of bells ringing, Christmas is filled lots of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and things to touch. This Christmas take a walk through the season with this Christmas Sensory Walk.
Create this activity at home, or in the classroom for children to explore lots of Christmas items in a whole new way. Children know what pine needles and branches feel like on their hands, but give them the opportunity to feel them on their feet with this activity.
I tried a sensory path a few years ago with my kindergarten students and it quickly became an activity that they requested constantly. So, I started creating these paths for various seasons, holidays and just for fun.
If you’re looking for more sensory path ideas, check out a Summer Sensory Path and my most popular, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Sensory Activity.
I also created a DIY Sensory Path that uses yoga mats. This activity can be placed out for kids to use independently.
Christmas Sensory Path Materials
Since I teach kindergarten, I’m always looking for activities that are quick, easy, engaging and inexpensive. These sensory paths are always popular in my classroom and my kids at home are always keen to try them out too.
I’ve listed the materials that I used in my bins, however, you can use virtually any materials you have on hand. Choose materials that you have a lot of and are safe to step on. I used:
- Cotton Balls
- Lights (Optional)
- Bows
- Shredded paper
- Pompoms
- Pine/Evergreen Branches/Needles
- Bins
Each bin is filled with a different Christmas material. This sensory activity is a bit different from many other sensory bins because children aren’t using their hands to feel and explore the contents. Have kids take their shoes and socks off for the ultimate experience.
Holiday Activity for Kids
I have explained what I put in each bin below and some ideas to make the experience the best it can be for kids.
When I do this activity I set the bins out along a wall or with some chairs beside them. Sometimes the bins and be a bit tricky to walk through and the wall or chairs can help kids from slipping. It is also a good idea for a teacher/adult to walk with the kids as they go through each bin.
After setting the bins up in a row, each filled with something different that kids will associate with Christmas, kids will remove their socks and shoes and walk through each bin.
This Christmas sensory walk is a great opportunity to have children talk and tell how they feel stepping into each bin and describing how the material in the bin feels on their feet and toes.
Christmas Sensory Walk Bin #1
The order of the bins does not matter. Some sensory walks that I create include water or other material that the order needs to be considered, but this sensory walk can be done over and over and the materials will not run out or need to be changed/replenished.
The first bin includes a bunch of pine needs/branches. This was rough and pointy on kids feet. Make sure your needles don’t included anything sharp, but having some materials on the walk that are not soft and cozy on feet is okay. It helps children notice the differences.
Holiday Activity for Kindergarten and Preschool Bin #2
The second bin includes a variety of festive pompoms. The bin looks as good as it feels on bare feet. Children will notice that the pompoms feel soft and may move between their toes.
Add as many pompoms as you have.
Christmas Sensory Walk Bin #3
In the third bin, place lots of shredded paper. This is often sold as present stuffer. You can also use crumbled tissue paper, or even crumbled gift wrap.
This bin is a great sensory experience for kids and feels really interesting on bare feet.
Christmas Sensory Path #4
In the next bin, place a bunch of bows. You can choose to stick the bows to the bottom of the bin and even around the sides. If you have extra bows hang onto them and add them as needed. As children step on the bows they will squish down over time.
Place as many bows as you can into the bin. This is a fun bin because children will connect the bows to gifts they have received in the past and gifts they see over the holidays. They’ll then connect it to how it felt to walk/touch the bows with their feet.
Holiday Activity #5
The final bin includes cotton balls to represent snow at Christmas. They are soft and fluffy for kids to walk on. I added a small string of plastic lights to add to the festive theme of the walk. Make sure that children are aware of the lights and don’t get caught on them.
I used cotton balls, but you can use real snow. The sensory experience of real snow on kids’ feet is great, but it can get messy. It’s up to you what to use.
Christmas Sensory Walk Alternative Ideas
You can use any or all of the ideas listed above. Another idea for a Christmas sensory walk is to include even more bins. You can set them in a circle and children can walk around continuously through the path. If you want to have more bins, and materials, to add to the activity, here are a few more ideas to fill your bins with.
- Wrapping Paper
- Ribbon
- Styrofoam Balls/Decorative String
- Cranberries Floating in Water
- Wrapping Paper Strips
I love finding hands-on engaging learning opportunities for kids around the holidays. Kids are excited for the holidays so themed activities are the best way to keep their interest. Sensory activities are also a great experience for kids of all ages.
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