Fall Sensory Play for Your Blind or Low Vision Child 

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Dive into the cozy scents and textures of autumn with these apple-themed sensory activities! From homemade apple-scented playdough to apple stamping with cinnamon-scented paint, these hands-on experiences spark creativity and build fine motor skills. Great for all children, including those who are blind or visually impaired, these activities provide a fun and accessible way to explore and learn through play. 

Apple-Scented Playdough 

Ready to make apple-scented playdough? 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour 
  • ½ cup of apple-scented dish soap or shampoo (We used body wash, and it worked just as well.) 
  • Optional: Food coloring (We chose red for that perfect autumnal vibe.) 

Instructions: 

  1. Add the soap or shampoo to the flour. 
  1. Mix and knead until smooth. 
  1. Add food coloring if desired. 
  1. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more flour. If it’s too dry, add a small amount of dish soap. 

Tip: Add a little flour each morning to keep it fresh and non-sticky. 

Benefits of playdough: 

Making and playing with apple-scented playdough is more than just a fun, seasonal activity—it’s a way to create lasting memories and bond with your child. The sensory input from the playdough can be calming, helping your child stay focused and alert, whether they’re listening to a story or practicing math. 

For children who are blind or visually impaired, this activity offers a safe, hands-on way to practice cooking techniques using accessible tools like measuring cups. It’s a non-threatening introduction to the kitchen that can build confidence. 

Squeezing, pulling, and shaping the dough enhances fine motor skills and hand strength. Discussing the sensations—what you smell, hear, and feel as you work—boosts sensory efficiency and language development. And by comparing your dough creations to real apples in terms of feel, weight, and scent, you can help your child develop essential concepts fun and engagingly. 

Apple Tasting and Texture Exploration 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • A variety of apple types (e.g., Granny Smith, Red Delicious, Honeycrisp) 
  • Sliced apples in different textures (raw, cooked, dried) 
  • Cinnamon or sugar for sprinkling 

Instructions: 

Set up a tasting station with different types of apples. Encourage your child to explore the differences in taste, texture, and smell. Discuss the contrasting textures between raw, cooked, and dried apples. Add a bit of cinnamon or sugar to one or two slices to introduce new scents and flavors. 

Tasty Benefits: 

This activity helps children develop their taste and smell senses while introducing new vocabulary. It can also be an excellent opportunity to practice descriptive language, such as “crisp,” “sweet,” “tart,” and “juicy.”  

Don’t forget to include information about how apples grow. This can consist of conversations about how a seed is planted in the dirt and grows into a tree that produces apples.  

Apple Stamping with Scented Paint 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • Apples cut in half 
  • Non-toxic paint mixed with apple-scented essential oils or extracts 
  • Thick paper or fabric for stamping 
  • Optional: cinnamon sticks for added texture 

Instructions: 

Dip the cut sides of the apples into the scented paint and press them onto the paper or fabric to create apple prints. You can create patterns, shapes, or even a fall-themed banner. For added texture, use cinnamon sticks as stamp handles. 

Expand your creativity with cutting apples into slices and using small cookie cutters to create additional shapes to your painting.  

Benefits of creative play: 

This activity combines tactile exploration with creativity, allowing children to experience different textures and smells. It’s also an excellent way to improve fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 

Apple and Cinnamon Sensory Bin 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • Dried apple slices 
  • Cinnamon sticks 
  • Oats, rice, or dried corn kernels 
  • Small containers, spoons, or scoops 

Instructions: 

Fill a bin with dried apple slices and cinnamon sticks; include oats, rice, or dried corn kernels. Add small containers and scoops for your child to explore and play with the different textures. Encourage them to feel, smell, and listen to the various sounds the materials make as they move. 

Add different animal figurines or use Little People to enhance imaginative play. Play pretend with the added figures and allow your child to tell stories of fall activities. 

A small bin with many benefits:  

Sensory bins are a great way to engage multiple senses simultaneously. The different textures and scents provide rich sensory input, and the act of scooping and pouring helps with fine motor development and hand-eye coordination. 

Sensory bins provide opportunities to include siblings or others in the fun. Encouraging different pretend activities and taking turns allows your child to practice new ways to play and engage with others socially.  

Apple and Spice Sensory Storytime 

Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • A storybook with a fall theme or about apples 
  • Real apples or apple-scented items (e.g., candles, essential oils) 
  • Optional: fall-themed sensory objects (e.g., leaves, pinecones) 

Instructions: 

Choose a fall-themed storybook and read it aloud to your child. As you read, pass around the apples or apple-scented items for your child to explore. Encourage your child to smell or feel the related items if the story mentions apples or autumn. You can also introduce other fall-themed objects to add to the sensory experience.  

Another way to enhance the story is to take it with you as you explore an orchard or walk through the pumpkin patch. Take a moment to explore the different sounds and smells of fall with your child.  

Benefits of Supporting Literacy with Experiences  

This activity combines literacy with sensory exploration, helping to reinforce concepts and vocabulary from the story. It’s an excellent way to engage children who are blind or visually impaired by making the story more interactive and immersive. 

These apple-scented activities offer more than just fun—they provide meaningful sensory experiences that support creativity, fine motor skills, and social engagement for all children, including those who are blind or visually impaired. By incorporating simple, tactile elements like scented playdough, textured apple stamps, and multi-sensory storytimes, you can create an inclusive and enriching environment that fosters learning through play. So, gather your ingredients, explore the scents and textures of autumn, and watch as your child’s imagination and skills grow with each sensory adventure!