Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Sensory Activities!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! It’s a day of luck, leprechauns, and everything green. So why not celebrate through the senses?
Did you know there are seven senses? Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, vestibular (balance and movement), proprioception (body awareness)
Here are sensory experiences for each of the seven senses to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
Sight
- Look for everything green
Or, look for something for every color of the rainbow.
- Search for four-leaf clovers
Go to a local park and try to find a lucky one!
Hearing
- Listen to Irish music/bagpipes
Stream some music or, if you’re able to find some instruments, try playing a tune yourself!
Smell
- Take in the scents of a hearty Irish meal
Mashed potatoes, shepherd’s pie, stew, or potato pancakes will do!
- Smell some clover
You can purchase fresh clover at a grocery or gardening store, or buy a scented candle or fragrance.
Taste
- Try something minty
Indulge in some mint-chocolate ice cream, a minty milkshake or anything with fresh mint.
- Eat (or drink!) your greens
Try spinach puree, green juices and smoothies, green ginger ale or pistachio desserts!
Touch
- Sort items in rainbow order
These can be practical items (clothes, toys) or treats like colored candies or cereal.
- Build a leprechaun trap
Decorate the inside of small box with a variety of textures; cotton balls for clouds, ribbons for rainbows, etc. Set up a trail to try and “catch” a leprechaun!
Vestibular
Vestibular is the balance and movement sense.
- Try doing an Irish jig
You can even play freeze jig (do an Irish jig and pause when the music stops).
- Go on a pot ’o’ gold hunt
This one may take a little planning, but put hints around the house to help your child find a pot of gold (or any special treat!).
Proprioception
Proprioception is the body sense.
- Do a gold coin toss into a kettle
Or any type of bucket!
- Plant some shamrocks—or really, anything green!
Scooping dirt and planting will help them move their body.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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