Sensory Play Collective

A caregiver–child play group for ages 6 months – 4 years

About Our Classes

The Sensory Play Collective is a weekly, one-hour outdoor class designed to nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection through evidence-based sensory play. Each session invites children and their caregivers into a world of discovery, movement, and mindful exploration — all guided by principles from child development psychology.

Program Details

Who: Children ages 6 months–4 years with a caregiver
Group Size: 15 children per class for a warm, intimate experience
When: Weekly, 1-hour sessions
Where: Outdoors at the park

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Why Sensory Play Matters

A Developmental Approach to Growing Curious, Confident Kids

Sensory Play Is How Children Learn

Young children experience the world through their senses — touch, sight, sound, taste, and smell. Sensory play gives them the chance to explore these senses in a safe, structured way. This type of play isn’t “just messy fun” — it’s a vital part of healthy brain development.

According to child development research, hands-on sensory exploration builds stronger neural connections in the brain, laying the foundation for future skills like problem-solving, language, and self-regulation.

Sensory play supports nearly every area of a child’s growth.

Each activity is chosen to support:

Cognitive Development: problem-solving, cause-and-effect learning

Fine & Gross Motor Skills: scooping, pouring, grasping, balance

Language Development: songs, stories, and conversation

Social Emotional Growth: sharing space, taking turns, regulating excitement

Sensory integration: exposure to varied textures, sights, sounds, and motions

Long-Term Impact

Sensory play lays the groundwork for higher-level skills like:

Creative thinking and problem-solving
Early literacy and numeracy
Emotional resilience and flexible thinking
Confidence to try new things

By combining evidence-based developmental principles with joyful, hands-on activities, The Sensory Play Collective gives children the tools they need to thrive — now and in the future.

Cognitive Development

When children scoop, pour, and mix materials, they are experimenting with cause and effect, patterns, and early math and science concepts. This process supports Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes active exploration as the foundation for learning.

Fine & Gross Motor Skills

Scooping, grasping, and transferring items strengthens the small muscles in hands and fingers (important for pre-writing skills), while climbing, squatting, and moving between bins develops core strength and balance.

Language Development

Talking about textures, colors, and actions builds vocabulary. Hearing rich descriptive language during play supports Vygotsky’s theory of language development, which highlights the role of social interaction in learning.

Social-Emotional Growth

Sensory play provides opportunities for turn-taking, sharing space, and expressing feelings in a safe environment. Exploring new textures can also help children practice self-regulation — learning to manage excitement, discomfort, or uncertainty.

Sensory Integration

Repeated, gentle exposure to different sights, sounds, and textures helps the brain process sensory input more effectively. This supports children who may be sensitive to certain sensations and helps all children build confidence when facing new experiences.

Sensory Play Class Structure

Each session follows a predictable, comforting rhythm so children know what to expect. This structure helps children feel safe and confident while encouraging curiosity and social learning.

1. Opening Circle (10 minutes)

Welcome song
Sensory scarf dancing
Musical instruments
Storytime related to the week’s theme

2. Sensory Exploration (30 minutes)

Three thoughtfully curated sensory bins
Child-led play with caregiver support
Opportunities to scoop, pour, mix, and explore textures at their own pace

3. Closing Circle (10 minutes)

Group clean-up
Goodbye songs
Parachute play for shared joy and connection

Parent FAQ

What is The Sensory Play Collective?

The Sensory Play Collective is a weekly outdoor group for children ages 6 months–4 years and their caregivers. Each 1-hour session combines songs, stories, and hands-on sensory exploration designed to nurture developmental growth, creativity, and connection.

What if my child doesn’t want to participate?

That’s completely normal! Children engage in different ways. Some may watch quietly before joining, others may dive right in. Observation is still valuable learning. Our class is designed to be flexible so children can engage at their own pace.

Do caregivers participate?

Yes! Caregivers are active participants — singing, dancing, reading, and guiding children during sensory play. This shared experience strengthens your bond and gives you tools to continue sensory-rich learning at home.

What if the weather is bad?

Because classes are held outdoors, we will notify families by [time of day] if we need to cancel due to rain, storms, or unsafe weather conditions. Make-up classes will be offered when possible.

Can siblings attend?

Yes! Siblings are welcome within the age range. Babies under 6 months may attend free with a registered sibling.

What age group is this for?

Our program is designed for children 6 months to 4 years old. Younger babies can enjoy tummy-time exploration, while toddlers and preschoolers dive into more complex sensory play and social interaction.

How messy does it get?

Sensory play is all about hands-on exploration, which means a little mess is part of the fun! We do our best to choose materials that are safe, washable, and easy to clean up — but we recommend clothing that you don’t mind getting a little dirty.

How many children are in a class?

Classes are intentionally kept small, with up to 15 children per group, to ensure plenty of space and time for each child to explore and connect.

What should we bring?

Comfortable, weather-appropriate play clothes (things can get messy!)

A change of clothes for your child (just in case)

Water bottle and snack (optional, for after class)

Sunscreen/hat or jacket depending on the weather

What Our Clients Say?

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