Do I need to buy anything special for sensory play?

No, the vast majority of activities covered use ordinary household items such as rice, pasta, water and containers you already own. We keep cost and accessibility central to every idea shared.

I live in a small apartment. Is sensory play still realistic?

Yes, we specifically cover set-ups suited to smaller spaces, including trays and contained activities that do not require a garden or large play area.

What age is sensory play safe from?

It depends on the material and the child, and we cover age-appropriate considerations for different sensory bases, particularly around choking hazards for younger children. Supervision guidance is included for each activity type.

How do I make clean-up less of a battle?

We share containment strategies, such as using trays, mats or defined play zones, along with simple end-of-play routines that make tidying part of the activity rather than a separate chore.

My child dislikes messy textures. Can they still benefit from sensory play?

Yes, sensory play covers a much wider range than messy textures, including sound, movement and dry materials like rice or dried pasta. We cover options suited to children who are more sensitive to certain textures.

For parents

Sensory Play at Home Without the Stress

Sensory play offers real developmental benefits, but it can feel daunting if you are picturing spilled paint and hours of clean-up. This workshop focuses on affordable, safe materials and manageable set-ups that fit into a normal home routine, along with clean-up approaches that make the whole thing far less stressful. You will leave with several ready-to-try ideas rather than a long list of things you would need to buy.

Led by Amy Byrne — BA (Hons) Level 8 in Early Childhood Education and Care, currently studying a Level 9 postgraduate in play therapy, Children First trained and a Mandated Person. One hour, with a take-home booklet and a dated certificate of attendance.

See dates & book Request this as a private session

Who this is for

Parents and carers of children aged one to six who want to introduce more sensory play at home without the mess feeling overwhelming.

What we cover in the hour

Why sensory play matters for development, briefly and practically.
Affordable materials you likely already have in your kitchen or press.
Set-ups that contain mess without limiting the play itself.
Adapting sensory play for smaller spaces or apartments.
Age-appropriate safety considerations for different sensory materials.
Clean-up approaches that make sensory play sustainable rather than a one-off event.

What you'll leave with

Five sensory activities using only household materials.
A containment set-up you can prepare in under five minutes.
A safety checklist for different age groups.
A simple clean-up routine to reduce post-play stress.
A take-home booklet with a full list of activities and materials.

Inside the booklet

The booklet includes a full list of low-cost sensory activities, a materials shopping list using everyday items, and an age-based safety reference.

This workshop connects to the Aistear theme of Exploring and Thinking, which supports children in making sense of the world around them through hands-on, sensory exploration.

How it can be delivered

Delivery formats and prices for Sensory Play at Home Without the Stress
Format	Price
Public ticket — live onlineOne hour, small group, booklet emailed	€20 per person
Public ticket — in personOne hour in a venue near you, booklet in hand	€35 per person
Private 1:1 with Amy30 minutes €25 · full hour €50 (3 for €135)	from €25
Private group — onlineParent evening or staff session, minimum 5	€35 per person
Private group — in personYour setting or venue, minimum 6	€45 per person

No VAT and no booking fees. An itemised receipt is emailed instantly, and invoices are available before you book. Running this across a whole setting? Setting packages start at €399.

Common questions

Do I need to buy anything special for sensory play?: No, the vast majority of activities covered use ordinary household items such as rice, pasta, water and containers you already own. We keep cost and accessibility central to every idea shared.
I live in a small apartment. Is sensory play still realistic?: Yes, we specifically cover set-ups suited to smaller spaces, including trays and contained activities that do not require a garden or large play area.
What age is sensory play safe from?: It depends on the material and the child, and we cover age-appropriate considerations for different sensory bases, particularly around choking hazards for younger children. Supervision guidance is included for each activity type.
How do I make clean-up less of a battle?: We share containment strategies, such as using trays, mats or defined play zones, along with simple end-of-play routines that make tidying part of the activity rather than a separate chore.
My child dislikes messy textures. Can they still benefit from sensory play?: Yes, sensory play covers a much wider range than messy textures, including sound, movement and dry materials like rice or dried pasta. We cover options suited to children who are more sensitive to certain textures.

Related workshops

More in this theme: Sensory play · All workshop themes · Upcoming dates

Available live online across Ireland, and in person in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Cork and other counties.

Trusted early years resources

Every workshop is grounded in Irish early years frameworks and national guidance.

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