Sensory Group Activities for Adults: A Simple Plan for Leaders

Running a sensory group for adults can be a lovely thing to do. It can also go wrong fast if people feel put on the spot, and the room is too loud or too busy.

This guide is for the people who plan and lead groups: support workers, carers, day-service staff and community group volunteers. It gives you a simple, calm plan for sensory activities for neurodivergent and autistic adults, for wellbeing. It's part of our guide to sensory activities for adults.

This is a general plan to adapt, built on a published activity from the Sensory Trust. It's not a clinical programme.

The quick answer

A simple sensory group has four parts: set up a quiet space and explain what's happening, do a short sensory introduction, make a personal sensory box, and finish by sharing what helped. Keep it short to begin with, and build in breaks. Everyone can opt out at any point.

Before you start

Good groups are planned before anyone arrives.

• Consent. Explain what you'll do and ask if people want to take part. Ask again as you go.
• Opt out at any time. "Pass" is always fine. Nobody needs a reason.
• A quiet space. Pick a room with soft light, few distractions and a spot people can step away to.
• Say what's coming. Share a simple plan at the start, in words or pictures.
• Ask about needs. Allergies, sensitivities to smells or sounds, and how people like to be spoken to.
• Keep it unhurried. Leave plenty of time for each part.

Activity 1: a sensory introduction

The Sensory Trust describes a simple "sensory introduction" where you pass items round the group one at a time. Their version uses an interesting natural texture like a pine cone, something to taste such as a blueberry, a mirror, and crushed herbs to smell. People explore each sense in turn. It works as a warm-up for other activities.

How to run it:

1. Choose items that suit your group. Leave out any food, herbs or smells that could cause a problem.
2. Sit comfortably, in a circle if that works for everyone.
3. Pass one item round. Each person can hold it, explore it, and say what they notice, or just pass it on.
4. Move to the next item when everyone's ready.

Read the Sensory Trust's activity page for their full instructions.

Activity 2: build a personal sensory box

Give each person a small box or bag and let them fill it with things that help them. You could offer:

• Something to fidget with
• A fabric swatch or soft cloth
• A scent they like (a herb, a teabag)
• A pair of earplugs or headphones
• A smooth stone or putty

People choose what goes in, and leave out what they don't like. They keep the box afterwards. For more ideas on what to include, see our guide to tactile activities for adults.

Activity 3: a sensory walk in pairs

Pair people up and go for a short, slow walk inside or outside. The aim is to notice, not to get anywhere: the feel of the air, sounds, colours and smells.

• Make it opt-in. Anyone can sit it out or walk alone.
• Agree a stop signal before you begin.
• Keep it quiet and unhurried.
• Eyes are always optional. People can look away or close their eyes if they want to.

After the session

Leave time at the end to wind down, and ask what helped. People can share, or not. Some may want to take notes for themselves.

• Invite people to share what they enjoyed, if they want to.
• Let people keep their sensory boxes.
• Give everyone a quiet minute before they leave.
• Make a note of what you'd change for next time.

Check first

• Allergies. Ask about foods, herbs and scents before the session.
• Smells. Keep scents mild, and give people a way to step out of the room.
• Noise. Keep the room quiet, and let people use headphones.
• A way to leave. Make sure everyone can leave the room at any time and knows where they can go.
• Small items. Keep beads and small objects away from children and pets.
• Safety. Follow your organisation's own safeguarding and risk assessment policies.

Where Noa's Place fits in

Noa's Place is a charity in Halifax for neurodivergent and disabled families. Our free sessions are for children aged 0 to 11, with a family drop-in for parents, carers and grandparents. This guide is for adults, and for the people who support them. Support for adults is coming soon.

Questions people ask

How do you run a sensory group for adults?

Plan a quiet space, explain what's happening, and offer a short sensory introduction followed by something hands-on. Make every activity opt-in, and leave time to wind down. The Sensory Trust's sensory introduction is a good starting point.

How many people should be in the group?

There's no set number. Smaller groups are easier to keep calm, and make it easier to check in with each person. Start small, see how it feels, and adjust.

Can people join in without speaking?

Yes. Everyone can take part in their own way, including quietly, or by passing. Make that clear at the start, so nobody feels they have to talk.

More ideas

The whole list is in our guide to sensory activities for adults. If you're looking for games, see sensory games for adults.

Your next step

To help each person tell you what they need, point them to our free sensory profile for adults. It's free, and what you enter isn't stored on our website. People download their profile as a PDF to their own device, and they choose what to share with you.

Sources

• Sensory Trust: Sensory introduction