Olfactory Sensory Activities for Children: Fun Ideas for Sense of Smell 

In this guide, we will explore Olfactory Sensory Activities for Children, discuss the role of smell in sensory activities, and provide fun ideas to engage the sense of smell in children.

The sense of smell, also known as the olfactory sense, is often underestimated in its importance. While visual and auditory senses are more commonly emphasized, the sense of smell plays a crucial role in our daily lives.

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Olfactory Sensory Activities for Children

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a difficult time with social interaction and communication. One way to help these children is to engage them in activities that stimulate their senses, such as smell.

Olfactory sensory activities can be a great way to do this. Here are 19 things you can do with your child to help improve his or her olfactory abilities:

1. Sense of Smell Game

This sense of smell game is a fun way to learn how smell works, and it’s fun to see how your nose can guess the right perfume!

2. Scratch N Sniff Watercolor Painting

Did you ever ask yourself the smell of a rainbow? This fun scratch n sniff watercolor painting activity is a great way to get creative and play with unique smells.

3. Scented Edible Paint

This scented edible paint is an excellent activity for toddlers or kids who are inclined to eat their activities.

4. Spicy Yogurt Painting

This fun spicy yogurt painting toddler sensory bin smells just like autumn, and it’s a great way for children to get dirty.

5. Spice Painting Activity

This Spice Painting activity is a great way to allow your kids to paint and smell new scents at the same time!

6. Spice and Sprinkle Painting Activity

This fall, the spice and sprinkle painting activity is a perfect smelling activity that you can do using basic kitchen supplies.

7. Scented Tea Game Activity

This scented tea game activity will make your entire home smell like autumn, even if your kids don’t like the taste of real tea.

8. Citrus Platter

This sensorial activity of citrus platter smells like fresh sugary citrus while also teaching your children about touch and smell.

9. Peppermint Sensory Christmas Hamper

This Peppermint Sensory Christmas Hamper is a fun sensory activity that your children will love!

10. Five Senses Scratch and Sniff Art Project

This scratch and sniff art project for children is a fun way to integrate the 5 senses in your next art project.

11. Fun Flower Sensory Ring

This fun flower sensory ring time activity is a great spring activity for your kids that also incorporates the smell!

12. Lavender-Scented Beans

If you are looking for a relaxing activity for your children, you can’t go wrong with these lavender-scented beans!

13. Spicy Name Activity

This spicy name activity brings a totally new meaning to the term spices.

14. Smelly Potions

Prepare some smelly potions that your children will love to experiment with!

15. Water Sensory Beads

These coco water sensory beads are the perfect sensory activities for your children this summer.

16. Five-Sense Name Activity

This five-sense name activity requires just a few ingredients, and you have fun scratching and sniffing activity for your kids!

17. Motor Sensory Tray

This thin motor sensory tray with lavender water is the ideal way to incorporate the smell into your sensory activity.

18. Rosemary-Scented Water

This play of rosemary-scented water is a great natural sensorial activity that your children will love!

19. Pineapple-Infused Lemonade

This pineapple-infused lemonade smells like real pineapple and will be hours of fun for your kids!

What is the sense of smell and why is it important?

The sense of smell is one of the most important senses in humans. Learn why and how it helps us survive and detect dangers, as well as how to use it to your advantage!

Exploring the olfactory system

The sense of smell, or olfaction, is the ability to detect and perceive different odors and scents through the nose. It is part of our sensory system and works in conjunction with the taste buds to enhance our perception of flavor. The olfactory system consists of the nose, olfactory receptors, and the olfactory bulb, which processes the signals sent by the receptors to the brain.

The role of smell in sensory activities

Smell is a powerful sense that can evoke emotions, trigger memories, and enhance sensory experiences. When incorporated into sensory activities, it can provide additional sensory input and help children engage more fully with their environment. Smell can also be a helpful tool for calming and relaxation or stimulating certain moods and behaviors.

Fun ideas to engage the sense of smell

There are numerous ways to engage the sense of smell in sensory activities. One fun idea is to create smell bottles, which are small containers filled with scented materials that children can sniff and identify. You can also use scented playdough or incorporate scents into artwork, books, and songs to introduce and explore different smells.

How to create sensory smell bottles

Discover easy and fun ways to create sensory smell bottles to stimulate your senses. Learn the step-by-step process and get creative with scents!

A step-by-step guide to making smell bottles

Making smell bottles is a simple and enjoyable activity that can be done with children of all ages. To create smell bottles, you will need small, sealable containers such as spice jars or empty perfume bottles. Fill each container with a different scent, such as peppermint, lavender, or pumpkin spice. Use cotton balls or pads soaked in essential oils or perfumes to hold the scents. Seal the containers and invite children to smell and guess the scents!

Materials and scents to use

When making smell bottles, you can use various materials and scents. Cotton balls or pads are commonly used as a base for holding the scents. Essential oils, perfumes, or even spices such as cinnamon or vanilla extract can be used to create different smells. Get creative and experiment with different combinations to offer a wide range of scents for children to explore.

Activities and games with smell bottles

Smell bottles can be incorporated into various activities and games. You can organize a smell identification game where children have to match the smell bottles with corresponding scented objects or pictures. Another activity idea is to blindfold children and have them guess the scent by smelling the bottles. These activities can stimulate their sense of smell and enhance their sensory perception.

Engaging preschoolers with scent-related activities

Engaging preschoolers in sensory activities is crucial for their cognitive, emotional, and social development. While there are various sensory experiences that can captivate their attention, scent-related activities hold a special appeal.

The sense of smell is one of the most powerful senses, directly linked to memory and emotions. Introducing preschoolers to scent-related activities not only stimulates their olfactory system but also enhances their overall sensory exploration.

Finger painting with scented materials

Preschoolers love exploring different textures and smells. Finger painting with scented materials adds an extra sensory dimension to their art experience. Mix some scented extracts, like vanilla or peppermint, into non-toxic paint and let the children unleash their creativity while indulging their sense of smell.

Creating sensory play bins with different scents

Sensory play bins are a great way to engage preschoolers while stimulating their sense of smell. Fill shallow containers with materials like colored rice, sand, or dried flowers and add scents to each bin. For example, you can add lavender scent to a bin with purple materials, lemon scent to a yellow bin, or cinnamon scent to a brown bin. Encourage children to explore and describe the scents as they play.

Using scent in activity packs and vocabulary lessons

Scented materials can be incorporated into activity packs and vocabulary lessons to create a multi-sensory learning experience. For example, you can create printable worksheets with scratch-and-sniff stickers, where children have to match the scent to the corresponding object or word. This interactive approach can make learning more engaging and memorable for preschoolers.

Introducing the sense of smell through hands-on activities

Making scented playdough and using different scents

Playing with scented playdough can be a delightful sensory experience for children. Follow a basic playdough recipe and add different scents using essential oils or extracts. Encourage children to describe the scents they smell while they mold and shape the playdough, enhancing their sensory exploration and creativity.

Exploring spices and their smells in the kitchen

The kitchen is a treasure trove of scents and smells waiting to be discovered. Invite children to explore different spices and their smells by sniffing them one by one. Talk about the different scents and how they can be used in cooking. This activity not only engages the sense of smell but also introduces children to the world of flavors and culinary exploration.

Using scented oils in sensory balls and massage activities

Scented oils can add an extra layer of sensory experience to activities like sensory balls or massages. Add a few drops of scented oil to a sensory ball or a soft massage tool and let children explore the different smells while engaging in tactile play or relaxation activities. This combination of touch and smell can be both calming and invigorating.

Incorporating the sense of smell into learning experiences

Using scented materials to enhance reading comprehension

Smell can be a powerful tool to enhance reading comprehension. For example, while reading a story about a bakery, you can introduce the smell of freshly baked bread or cookies to create a more immersive experience. By associating specific scents with the story, children can better understand and remember the content, making the learning process more meaningful.

Creating lesson plans that engage all five senses

To create a comprehensive learning experience, it is important to engage all five senses, including smell. When designing lesson plans, incorporate activities that allow children to use their sense of smell to explore and learn. For example, for a lesson on plants, provide scented flowers or leaves for children to smell and describe. This multi-sensory approach can greatly enhance learning and retention.

Releasing the scent: incorporating smell into science experiments

Science experiments are another great opportunity to incorporate smell. For example, in a chemistry experiment, children can observe and describe the smell of different substances as they react. By involving smell, children can get a more holistic understanding of the scientific concepts and the impact different elements can have on their senses.

Fun and creative scent-related activities for toddlers

Exploring different scents in sensory bins

Toddlers are naturally curious and love exploring with their senses. Create sensory bins filled with a variety of scented materials such as dried herbs, spices, or scented playdough. Let the toddlers explore the different scents, touch and feel the textures, and describe what they experience through their senses.

Creating scented art with spices and paints

Combine art and sensory play by creating scented art with spices and paints. Encourage toddlers to mix different spices, like cinnamon or nutmeg, into non-toxic paints and use them to create unique scented artwork. This activity allows toddlers to express their creativity while engaging their sense of smell.

Introducing the sense of smell through scented books and songs

Toddlers love stories and music, and incorporating scent can make these experiences even more engaging. Look for scented books that have different smells associated with each page or introduce scented props while singing songs. This multisensory approach can help toddlers develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

What are olfactory sensory activities?

Olfactory sensory activities are activities that engage the sense of smell in children. These activities involve different scents and smells to stimulate the olfactory system and enhance sensory play.

Why are olfactory sensory activities beneficial for children?

Olfactory sensory activities are beneficial for children as they help in the development of the olfactory system, enhance sensory exploration, and contribute to overall sensory integration. They also provide a fun and engaging way for children to learn about different smells and scents.

Are olfactory sensory activities suitable for preschool-aged children?

Yes, olfactory sensory activities are suitable for preschool-aged children. These activities can be modified to suit different age groups and can be enjoyed by both young and older kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up Olfactory Sensory Activities for Children

We hope you enjoyed our blog about olfactory sensory activities for children. We know that many parents want to incorporate sensory activities into their children’s lives, but may want some guidance on what to do.

We provided you with a few sensory activities that you can try. Let us know if you have any comments or questions by 

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