Week Two, Activity Two of the Be Happy Summer Camp: Sense Wheels

This activity focuses on the importance of using our senses to stay grounded and calm. Engaging our senses helps us connect to the present moment, which is a valuable skill for managing big emotions.

About This Resource

This sensory exploration activity is designed to help children understand how engaging their senses can help them feel more in tune with the present moment and their surroundings. It includes printable Sense Wheels that children can use to record their sensory experiences in various environments. By focusing on their senses, children can learn to manage their emotions and develop mindfulness.

How to Use

1. Download and Print: Begin by downloading and printing the Sense Wheels provided in the activity pack.
2. Cut and Prepare: Cut out your Sense Wheels.
3. Choose Locations: Select five different places to explore, such as your bedroom, garden, park, a cafe, and a local lake or river. Make sure to pick a mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.
4. Mindful Exploration: Sit mindfully in each location for a few minutes. Use your senses to explore your surroundings and write down something you can taste, hear, smell, see, and feel on each wheel.
5. Colour and Decorate: Use different coloured pens to distinguish each location and decorate your Sense Wheels to make them unique and reflective of your personality.
6. Assemble: Punch a hole where marked and tie your Sense Wheels together with a ribbon for easy access.

Fun Ways to Incorporate This Activity

• Explore Diverse Environments: Visit a variety of places like a park, beach, forest, or even different rooms in your house to experience how different environments affect your senses.
• Family Activity: Make it a family activity by encouraging everyone to create their own Sense Wheels and share their experiences.
• Communicate: Encourage your child to talk openly about how they feel whilst completing this task.

Benefits

• Mindfulness: Using our senses helps bring our focus to the present moment, promoting mindfulness.
• Emotional Regulation: Learning to use sensory engagement can help children manage big emotions like anger, sadness and worry.
• Relaxation: This activity encourages relaxation by giving the brain a break and allowing it to reset.
• Skill Development: Children develop a valuable life skill that they can use throughout their lives to stay calm and grounded.

In this week's activity, children will learn to engage their senses to stay present and calm through our Sense Wheels activity. By exploring different environments and recording their sensory experiences, children can develop mindfulness and better manage their emotions. This skill is essential for emotional regulation and overall well-being. Download the Sense Wheels activity now and start earning our Senses Badge!