Supplementing Curriculum Through Winter Sensory Play

As winter approaches where you live, it is the perfect time to bring sensory play indoors. The colder months invite a change in textures, temperatures, and sounds, all of which can become wonderful learning opportunities for our students. These sensory activities help build fine motor skills, vocabulary, and calm.

Why Sensory Play Matters

Sensory play gives students a safe way to explore their world through touch, sound, and movement. For autistic and nonspeaking learners, it’s also a bridge to communication and emotional regulation. A simple sensory bin, texture tray, or seasonal craft can spark new language opportunities on AAC devices or through gestures and shared attention.

Winter Sensory Activities You Can Try

1. Indoor Snow Exploration
If you have real snow, scoop some into a bin! Add spoons, cups, toy animals, or small containers for pouring and pressing. If you don’t have snow, use a snow substitute like shaving cream for a similar cold, soft texture.

AAC Words to Highlight: cold • scoop • soft • white • play • wet
Short AAC Sentences: “It’s cold.” • “I scoop snow.” • “That feels soft.” • “I like this.”

2. Ice Rescue Game
Freeze small toys (animals, toys, buttons) in containers of water overnight. The next day, give your student warm water, salt, or droppers to “rescue” the frozen objects. This encourages problem solving, patience, and fine motor control. You can also extend this activity to connect with states of matter (solid, liquid, gas).

AAC Words to Highlight: help • melt • water • cold • wait • get
Short AAC Sentences: “Help me.” • “It will melt.” • “Cold water.” • “I want to get it out.”

3. Winter Sensory Bin
Fill a bin with white rice, cotton balls, or shredded paper. Add tongs, scoops, and winter-themed trinkets like snowflakes, mini mittens, or penguins. You can even hide sight words, letters, or numbers inside for learning play.

AAC Words to Highlight: find • look • in • out • more • again
Short AAC Sentences: “I find it.” • “Look in the bin.” • “More snow.” • “Do it again.”

4. Cold Sorting Tray
Create a tray filled with safe, cold objects your student can explore by touch and description. You might include an ice cube, a metal spoon from the fridge, a chilled glass of water, a frozen bag of peas, and a smooth stone that’s been sitting outside. Encourage your student to feel each one and share about what makes it cold — texture, temperature, or even sound (like the clink of ice).

AAC Words to Highlight: cold • wet • feel • different • frozen
Short AAC Sentences: “It feels cold.” • “Cold like ice.” • “They feel different.”

5. Winter Texture Walk
Lay out a “texture path” indoors with items like bubble wrap (crunchy snow), soft blanket (cozy), a bath mat (bumpy ice), and foil (crinkly frost). Let your child walk barefoot or with socks and describe* what they feel.

AAC Words to Highlight: walk • soft • hard • fun • stop • go
Short AAC Sentences: “I walk here.” • “That feels soft.” • “Hard floor.” • “Go again!”

*Ways to help your student communicate - show two examples of how to describe the feelings and let them point to the photo. If they aren't sure yet, tell them how YOU think it feels. Model on AAC too if you have the opportunity.

Tips for Success

• Rotate materials weekly so the sensory experiences stay fresh.

• Encourage your child to explore at their own pace — there’s no “wrong” way to play.

• Incorporate AAC use naturally by modeling comments and choices during play.

Why It Matters

Sensory play supports more than just exploration — it strengthens attention, communication, and connection. Winter activities like these remind us that learning can be cozy, calm, and full of discovery, even when the world outside feels cold.

Jennifer Bullock, Contributing Author

Homeschooling-experienced mom to a tween, non-speaking daughter, Jennifer is also Marketing Outreach Coordinator for The Autism Oasis. With 20+ years experience in marketing, advertising, and social media communications, you will see her occasionally supporting the blog and social media channels with various content related to Autism Oasis.