Sensory Play for Toddlers: 3 Easy March-themed Activities
Spring is in the air, and March is the perfect month to bring a little extra color, creativity, and hands-on fun into your toddler’s day! Sensory play is not only a blast for little ones, but it also helps build fine motor skills, cognitive development, and social-emotional learning. At our playspace, we love creating themed sensory activities that are easy, safe, and affordable — and today we’re sharing three simple March-inspired ideas that you can try at home.
1. Shamrock Search
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Shamrock Search sensory bin! Fill a shallow container with shredded green paper or rice and toss in some foam shamrocks and green pom-poms. Hide the shamrocks throughout the bin and encourage your toddler to dig, discover, and sort.
Why it works: This activity builds hand-eye coordination and color recognition, and toddlers love the thrill of “finding the hidden treasures.”
Expert tip: Large pom-poms and foam shamrocks like these make the bin colorful and safe for little hands.
2. Spring Garden Dig
Bring the outdoors inside with a Spring Garden Dig! Use dry rice or oats as “soil” and add plastic flowers, soft toy bugs, or leaves. Toddlers can scoop, pour, and explore while pretending to plant a garden.
Why it works: This activity encourages imaginative play and helps toddlers practice grasping and scooping motions, which strengthen fine motor skills for writing later on.
Expert tip: Scoops, cups, and small gardening toys like these make clean-up easy and the play more engaging.
3. Lucky Coins & Gold
Add a little magic to March with a Lucky Coins & Gold sensory bin! Fill a container with green shredded paper, add shiny plastic coins or gold pom-poms, and let your toddler search for treasures. You can even turn it into a simple counting game by asking them to find two coins of one color, then three of another.
Why it works: This activity teaches early math skills, sorting, and pattern recognition while keeping the sensory exploration fun.
Expert Tip: Large, soft pom-poms and plastic coins like these are safe for toddlers and perfect for treasure hunts.
Tips for Safe and Successful Toddler Sensory Play
Always supervise toddlers during sensory activities to avoid choking hazards.
Keep all small items large enough for little hands.
Use a tray or shallow bin to contain the materials and make clean-up easier.
Rotate activities weekly to keep your toddler engaged and curious.
Sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With a few simple items from your local store or Amazon, you can create hours of learning, discovery, and fun right at home.
Want to try all three ideas this month? Check out our March Sensory Play Amazon Kit below for all the safe, toddler-friendly materials you need — ready to go!