What is Sensory Wall Art?

The term “sensory” is trending right now in the context of activities, toys or experiences for children. A sensory item is designed with the senses in mind, whether that means engaging multiple senses or making a conscious effort to ensure only a few senses are stimulated at the same time. For example, our local children’s museum just hosted a “Sensory Sunday” event where they adapted their usual exhibits to be less “loud” so that children who may be overstimulated or overwhelmed could enjoy the activities in a way that is comfortable for them.

Do children benefit from sensory experiences/toys?

While accommodating sensory preferences will be vital for some children, any child can enjoy special sensory experiences! My little guy is very calmed by listening to music, so when he gets overwhelmed, that’s my go to. Children with certain diagnoses like autism spectrum disorder or hearing or visual impairments may require parents to seriously factor in these preferences in many situations, but all children can benefit from considering their specific likes and dislikes when it comes to sight, sound and touch.

Let’s talk about touch

For many people, touch is a very calming sense. Children with visual impairments may particularly rely on touch to navigate and communicate, but both kids and adults find the ability to use their hands comforting.

The unique thing about touch is it works in both scenarios: being overstimulated or needing more stimulation. If someone is overwhelmed, focusing on the texture or feel of something can help lower stress levels. If someone is visually impaired, touch can provide key information about their environment which provides a sense of familiarity and security.

Many sensory toys, activities and experiences incorporate different feels and textures for all of these reasons, and its easy to see why they are popular. Considering the sense of touch as you design a child’s playroom, add to their toy collection, or even as you think about your own workspace or home is a great way to enhance the feel or calm and stability for the entire family.

Tell me more about sensory wall art!

Smartbaby Decor is proud to be the creators of this game-changing category of wall art stickers you won’t find anywhere else! Typical wall decals or murals are flat. Wallpaper can sometimes have a uniform texture to it, but not with a specific purpose. Our sensory wall art is created with touch in mind. We want children and adults to feel and interact with what is on their walls. Whether this helps a child who is visually impaired know the landmarks of their room, or calms an overwhelmed child as they run their fingers along the soft decals on their wall, we’re revolutionizing how kids interact with their décor.  

Aside from different textures, we also have the option of adding braille to many of our pieces, which is a different kind of tactile feature for children who need it. While these are amazing for children with visual impairments, it’s also a super fun feature for any kid’s room!

What do kids say about sensory wall art?

We put Sensory Rainbow Fun up in my niece’s room, who happens to be sighted, and she calls them her “fluffy rainbows” and loves running her hands over them when she gets up from her naps.

We also helped design a room for Ethan, an amazing boy with visual impairments. Ethan also has Sensory Rainbows in his space and uses his hands to know that he too has fun stuff on his walls, just like any other kid. Sensory wall art is our way of making a room unique, memorable, and calming for children no matter their sensory preferences and abilities. It literally adds another dimension to decorating a wall, and we love what our little customers have to say about it!

Wrapping it up

Society is becoming more aware of how people process the world differently and there are more choices than ever when it comes to accommodating these differences. Whether it’s sensory toys, books, or activities, parents now have the option of encouraging their child’s development in ways that align with their unique abilities and preferences. Smartbaby Decor is proud to be part of this movement of inclusivity for children of all ages and abilities. Beyond toys and books, we want every kid to have a room they can love. Our Feel the Love Collection is the perfect place to start exploring easy ways to add touch and feel to your child’s space.