Top 17 Tactile Craft Supplies to Master for Sensory Play with Your Preschooler
Hey there, fellow creators and parents! Have you ever watched a preschooler completely captivated by the simple act of squishing mud between their fingers or tracing patterns in spilled flour? That's not just mess-making for the sake of it; it's a tiny scientist at work. Their little hands are their primary tools for understanding the great big world, and this hands-on exploration is the very heart of sensory play.
Sensory play, especially tactile play, is more than just a fun way to pass an afternoon. It's a critical engine for brain development. When a child touches something new—be it gooey, scratchy, soft, or bumpy—they are building neural pathways, strengthening fine motor skills, and learning complex concepts like cause and effect. It's the foundation for everything from holding a pencil to developing problem-solving abilities.
As a parent and creator, I’ve spent countless hours exploring the best ways to foster this curiosity. It doesn't require expensive, complicated toys. In fact, the magic often lies in simple, everyday craft supplies. That's why I've put together this ultimate list of my top 17 tactile craft supplies. Let's dive in and unlock a world of sensory wonder for your little one.
1. Playdough & Modeling Clay
This is the undisputed champion of tactile play, and for good reason. The resistance of the dough as it’s squished, rolled, and pinched is fantastic for building hand and finger strength. This isn't just play; it's a fun-filled workout that prepares little hands for writing, buttoning, and zipping.
Playdough is a blank canvas for the imagination. It can be a snake, a pancake, or a whole galaxy of colorful planets. The open-ended nature of playdough encourages creativity and storytelling, while the physical manipulation hones fine motor skills. It’s a sensory powerhouse that engages touch, sight, and even smell if you add your own scents.
- Pro-Tip: Make your own! A simple recipe of flour, salt, water, cream of tartar, and oil is all you need. Add a few drops of food coloring for vibrant hues and a splash of vanilla extract or lavender essential oil for a wonderful aromatic experience. Provide child-safe scissors for cutting practice or press beads and buttons into the dough to work on pincer grasp.
2. Kinetic Sand
Imagine sand that holds its shape, feels magically soft, and cleans up with ease. That's kinetic sand! This mesmerizing material is regular sand coated with silicone oil, allowing it to act almost like a slow-moving liquid. It’s incredibly satisfying to scoop, mold, and watch it ooze through your fingers.
The unique texture of kinetic sand makes it a wonderfully calming sensory activity. It's perfect for children who might be overwhelmed by messier textures like slime. It provides gentle tactile feedback without being sticky, making it a great choice for indoor sensory bins. It’s fantastic for practicing scooping, pouring, and using molds.
- Pro-Tip: Create a "construction zone" sensory bin. Fill a shallow tray with kinetic sand and add small toy trucks, shovels, and blocks. You can also hide "treasures" like polished stones or plastic gems for your child to excavate, adding an element of discovery.
3. Finger Paints
There is nothing more direct and wonderfully messy than finger painting. It allows children to feel the cool, smooth, and slightly gooey texture of the paint directly on their skin. This is a full-body sensory experience that connects movement with visual results in a very immediate way.
Finger painting is brilliant for learning about color mixing. Watch your child’s delight as they swirl blue and yellow together to create a surprising green right on the paper. It encourages big, bold arm movements, which is great for developing gross motor skills, but also allows for detailed finger-work to build fine motor control.
- Pro-Tip: Embrace the mess by planning for it. Use a washable, non-toxic paint. Lay down an old sheet or plastic tablecloth, dress your child in old clothes, and let them go for it! For an even easier cleanup, try finger painting on a cookie sheet or even inside an empty bathtub.
4. Slime & Oobleck
Ready for a little science experiment? Slime (a polymer) and Oobleck (a non-Newtonian fluid made from cornstarch and water) are the ultimate in gooey, stretchy, and downright fascinating sensory experiences. The process of making it is half the fun and a fantastic lesson in cause and effect.
These substances offer a unique tactile input that’s unlike anything else. Oobleck is especially amazing—it acts like a solid when you apply pressure and flows like a liquid when you let go. This mind-bending property introduces scientific concepts in the most hands-on way possible, all while providing a fun and messy playtime.
- Pro-Tip: For a simple Oobleck, mix about two parts cornstarch to one part water. Add a few drops of food coloring to the water before you mix. Challenge your child to punch it quickly (it will feel solid) and then sink their hand into it slowly (it will feel liquid).
5. Pom-Poms
Soft, fluffy, and endlessly versatile, pom-poms are a must-have in any craft collection. They come in a rainbow of colors and a variety of sizes, from tiny little puffs to big, chunky fluffballs, providing a range of tactile experiences. Their lightweight nature makes them safe and easy for even the smallest hands to handle.
Pom-poms are perfect for developing the pincer grasp—the delicate thumb-and-forefinger movement that is crucial for holding a pencil. Activities like sorting them by color or size, gluing them onto paper, or transferring them with tweezers or tongs are fantastic for building concentration and fine motor precision.
- Pro-Tip: Create a "pom-pom drop" game. Cut holes of various sizes in the lid of a cardboard box and have your child push the pom-poms through the corresponding holes. This is a simple, effective activity for hand-eye coordination.
6. Pipe Cleaners (Chenille Stems)
Pipe cleaners, with their fuzzy texture and bendable wire core, are a classic for a reason. They can be twisted, bent, and shaped into anything a child can imagine, from animals and letters to crazy, abstract sculptures. This act of bending and twisting is a great workout for little finger muscles.
The combination of the soft, fuzzy exterior and the firm, flexible interior provides interesting tactile feedback. They can be used to practice threading beads, which is a fantastic activity for bilateral coordination (using both hands together) and hand-eye coordination. They hold their shape, giving a satisfying sense of accomplishment when a creation is complete.
- Pro-Tip: Poke pipe cleaners through the holes of a colander. This simple act is mesmerizing for toddlers and preschoolers and is a wonderful way to practice fine motor control and concentration.
7. Felt Sheets
Felt is a wonderful, forgiving fabric for young crafters. Its soft, slightly fuzzy texture is pleasant to touch, and it doesn't fray when cut, making it perfect for little hands still learning to use scissors. It’s sturdy enough to be glued and layered, but soft enough to be manipulated easily.
Use felt to create storyboards, where your child can move felt characters around to tell a tale. This encourages narrative skills and imaginative play. Cutting basic shapes from felt is also a great way to introduce geometry and practice scissor skills in a way that feels more rewarding than just cutting paper.
- Pro-Tip: Create a no-sew felt "pizza." Cut a large tan circle for the crust and various smaller shapes for toppings (red circles for pepperoni, green strips for peppers, etc.). Your child can have endless fun building their own pizza, practicing sorting, and engaging in pretend play.
8. Textured Yarn & String
Don't underestimate the power of a simple ball of yarn. From chunky, bumpy wool to thin, smooth cotton, different types of yarn offer a wide array of tactile sensations. The act of winding, cutting, and gluing string builds dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Yarn is perfect for lacing activities. Punch holes around the edge of a paper plate and let your child "sew" the yarn through the holes. You can also do "yarn painting" by dipping pieces of yarn in paint and dragging them across paper to create interesting lines and textures.
- Pro-Tip: Make "texture collages." Provide your child with cardstock, child-safe glue, and a variety of yarn scraps. Encourage them to create a picture or abstract design, focusing on how the different textures feel and look next to each other.
9. Water Beads
These tiny, hard pellets transform into large, squishy, bouncy balls when soaked in water. The process itself is magical to watch, and the final product is a uniquely satisfying sensory experience. They are cool, smooth, and slippery, providing a sensory input that is both calming and engaging.
A tub full of water beads is an invitation to scoop, pour, and run your hands through. They are visually stunning and feel wonderful to the touch. They can be used for sorting by color, counting, or simply as a base for a sensory bin with other waterproof toys.
- Pro-Tip: Safety first! Water beads are a choking hazard and should only be used with children who are past the mouthing stage and under strict adult supervision. For a safer, edible alternative, use tapioca pearls (the kind used in bubble tea).
10. Shaving Cream
For a gloriously messy and wonderfully airy sensory experience, look no further than a can of shaving cream. It’s cheap, foamy, and provides a multi-sensory experience of touch, sight, and smell. Spreading it on a tray or cookie sheet creates the perfect canvas for drawing and writing.
Children can practice writing letters, numbers, and shapes with their fingers. The resistance of the foam is gentle, making it a fun, low-stakes way to practice pre-writing skills. Add a few drops of food coloring and watch as your child discovers color mixing in a new and exciting way.
- Pro-Tip: For the easiest cleanup imaginable, do this activity in the bathtub! Your child can "paint" the walls of the tub with shaving cream, and when they're done, you can just rinse it all down the drain.
11. Dried Pasta, Beans, & Rice
The pantry is a treasure trove of tactile supplies! Dried pasta in various shapes, colorful beans, and plain rice all offer unique textures, sounds, and weights. They are perfect for filling a sensory bin for hours of scooping, pouring, and exploring.
The sound of rice trickling through a funnel or pasta clattering in a metal bowl is a key part of the sensory experience. These materials can be used for sorting, counting, and creating beautiful mosaics by gluing them onto cardboard. Dyeing rice with food coloring and a bit of vinegar creates a vibrant and inviting sensory bin filler.
- Pro-Tip: Create a "sound shaker" or rain stick. Have your child fill an empty plastic bottle or paper towel tube (with one end sealed) with a mixture of rice, beans, and small pasta, then seal the other end. They can then explore the different sounds their creation makes.
12. Cotton Balls
The ultimate in softness! Cotton balls are light, airy, and incredibly gentle to the touch. They provide a calming and delicate sensory input that’s a wonderful contrast to stickier or harder materials. They are incredibly versatile and can be used in countless craft projects.
Use cotton balls for dabbing paint, creating fluffy clouds in a sky picture, or making a soft sheep or snowman. Pulling them apart and stretching them provides a unique kind of resistance that works different hand muscles. You can even use them with tongs or tweezers to practice fine motor transfer skills.
- Pro-Tip: Set up a "sticky wall" by applying contact paper to a wall or easel, sticky-side-out. Give your child a bowl of cotton balls and let them enjoy the simple fun of sticking them to the wall and pulling them off again.
13. Craft Sand & Glitter
While they can be messy, craft sand and glitter offer a grainy, shimmery texture that is captivating for young children. The feeling of sand running through their fingers is a classic sensory experience, and the sparkle of glitter adds a touch of magic to any project.
Use them for sand art projects, either in bottles or by "painting" with glue on paper and then sprinkling the sand or glitter on top. This process requires a steady hand and helps develop control and precision. It’s a great way to explore texture and light.
- Pro-Tip: To contain the mess, work inside a shallow box lid or a tray. This keeps the majority of the sand or glitter in one place. You can easily pour the excess back into the container when you're done. A small, dedicated paintbrush can be a great tool for applying glue for these projects.
14. Googly Eyes
They may seem like a simple embellishment, but googly eyes have a distinct tactile quality. They are smooth and hard, with a little rattle inside that adds an auditory component. Peeling the back off the self-adhesive kind is a fantastic workout for the pincer grasp and fingernail dexterity.
Googly eyes bring any creation to life, from playdough monsters to rock pets. They instantly add personality and encourage storytelling and imaginative play. The simple act of placing them carefully onto a creature helps to develop fine motor control and spatial awareness.
- Pro-Tip: Don't just stick to the standard sizes. Buy a multi-pack with a huge variety of sizes and colors. Sorting them is a fun activity in itself, and using the tiny ones provides an extra fine motor challenge.
15. Bumpy & Corrugated Cardboard
Before you toss that shipping box, take a closer look! Cardboard offers a wealth of tactile possibilities. The smooth outer surface, the rough, torn edges, and especially the bumpy, ridged texture of the inner corrugated layer provide a fantastic sensory contrast.
Use the corrugated part for texture rubbings. Place a piece of paper over it and rub with the side of a crayon to reveal the bumpy pattern. Cutting cardboard is also a great way to build hand strength, as it offers more resistance than paper. It’s a sturdy base for collages and 3D constructions.
- Pro-Tip: Peel away one of the flat outer layers of a piece of cardboard to expose the wavy, corrugated interior. Let your child run their fingers or even small toy cars over the bumpy "road."
16. Natural Materials
The greatest sensory bin is right outside your door. A nature walk can yield an incredible collection of tactile treasures: smooth stones, rough bark, crinkly dried leaves, prickly pinecones, and soft moss. These items connect children to the natural world and offer a rich variety of textures, smells, and shapes.
Bringing these elements indoors for a nature-themed sensory bin or collage is a wonderful way to play. Sorting leaves by shape, scrubbing rocks in a basin of water, or painting on a smooth, flat stone are all deeply engaging tactile activities. Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe that nature is the ultimate art teacher.
- Pro-Tip: Create "nature paintbrushes." Use a rubber band to attach different natural items—like a bundle of pine needles, a large leaf, or a piece of fluffy grass—to the end of a stick. Dip them in paint and see what unique patterns and textures they create on paper.
17. Fabric Scraps
A bag of fabric scraps is a gateway to a world of textures. Include a wide variety: silky satin, rough burlap, bumpy corduroy, soft fleece, and stretchy jersey. Feeling and describing these different textures is a fantastic way to build vocabulary and sensory discrimination skills.
These scraps can be used for collages, doll blankets, or "texture boards" where different fabrics are glued to a piece of cardboard for touching. Learning to cut fabric with safety scissors is an advanced skill that builds on paper-cutting abilities, offering a new challenge and a different type of resistance.
- Pro-Tip: Create simple "feeling bags." Place a single fabric scrap inside a small, opaque bag. Have your child reach in without looking and describe what they feel. Can they guess if it's the soft one, the scratchy one, or the bumpy one?
The Beautiful Mess of Learning
Stepping into the world of sensory play doesn't mean you need a perfectly curated craft room. It starts with a willingness to embrace a little bit of mess and to see the immense value in the process, not just the finished product. The real masterpiece isn't the lopsided playdough sculpture or the glitter-dusted collage; it's the millions of new connections firing in your child's brain as they explore.
So, pick one or two supplies from this list, lay down a protective mat, and give your preschooler the freedom to squish, smear, build, and create. You'll be giving them the tools they need to understand their world, express their creativity, and build a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning.
Now I’d love to hear from you! What are your go-to tactile craft supplies for sensory play? Share your favorite activities and pro-tips in the comments below
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!