Sensory Spaces: An A-Z of Immersive and Creative Environments to Support Sensory Integration

by Victoria Navin

Overview

Imagine stepping into a sensory space where you can feel the sand between your toes, smell the sea, listen to the sound of seagulls calling; touch feathers, shells and driftwood…

Sensory spaces invite learners to be curious and try new ideas and skills, inspiring imaginative play, creativity and storytelling. This comprehensive A-Z shows readers how to create easily customisable spaces for learning, sensory engagement and relaxation, using a host of everyday items. It is packed full of:

• tools and strategies to provide positive experiences and the best outcomes for an inclusive education;

• ideas for connecting learners to different areas of the curriculum;

• sensory-rich activities to support the mental health and wellbeing of people with complex and additional needs; and

• case studies and examples from guest contributors to showcase a wide range of sensory spaces in practice.

With a rich selection of colour photographs, this essential guide will inspire you to create spaces for learners to take ownership of their sensory explorations in creative, immersive and stimulating environments. It is a valuable resource for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and mainstream teachers, SEND coordinators, teaching assistants, early years practitioners, play therapists, parents and carers, and anyone with an interest in engaging learners through the senses.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781040429754
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/23/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	244
File size:	18 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Victoria Navin is a passionate advocate for multisensory storytelling, specialising in creating sensory-rich learning experiences for individuals with SEND. With over two decades of experience, including working at a special school in Cheshire, she connects learners to literature, culture, history and other topics through her unique multisensory stories and sensory activities. Victoria has authored over 45 fully resourced multisensory stories and delivers online workshops for educators and caregivers worldwide. She writes sensory activities for Little Magic Train and has written sensory activities for Marvin’s Storytime Show. She is a frequent speaker at online conferences and has contributed to several books (including Sensory Stories: Making Narratives Accessible Through the Senses by Dr Joanna Grace and Teaching Reading to All Learners Including Those with Complex Needs by Dr Sarah Moseley) and magazines (including SEN Magazine and PMLD Link), making her a leading figure in the field of sensory-based education.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Guest Contributors

Foreword

About This Book

How to Use This Book

Part 1: Introducing Sensory Spaces 1

Sensory Processing

Sensory Profiles

The Benefits of Using Sensory Structures and Sensory Spaces

Ownership of Sensory Spaces

Part 2: Getting Started

Health and Safety Guidance

Using Scents and Smells

Choosing a Sensory Structure or Space

Accessorising Sensory Spaces

Part 3: An A-Z of Sensory Spaces to Suit all Budgets

Activity Arches

Beach Shelters

Balloon Arches

Ball Pits

Baths and Hydrotherapy Pools

Beaded Door Curtains

Bedrooms

Bed Canopies

Bedsheets

Blankets and Throws

Body

Canvas and Tarpaulins

Cardboard Boxes

Carpet Tiles

Cavendish Spaces

Colour Wheels and Light Projectors

Cupboards and Small Rooms

Curtains

Dens

Drona Boxes

Eco-nooks

Fishing Nets

Gardens

Garden Arches

Gazebos

Hammocks

Hoists

Hula Hoops

Intergenerational Sensory Spaces

Journey Sensory Pathway

Kitchens

Light Rooms

Mosquito Nets and Insect Screens

Net Curtains

Observation Windows

Outdoor Spaces

Parachutes

Parasols

Partitions and Room Dividers

Peg Spinners

Playhouses

Polytunnels

Plumbing Pipes and Connectors

Quiet Spaces

Rails

Remote Interactive Learning Experiences

Sandpits

Sensory Rooms

Shower Curtains

Side Lyers

Scrim Nets

Space Blankets

Stages

Tents

Trampolines

Trellises

Tunnels

Umbrellas

Vision Impairment Sensory Spaces

Walls

Washing Lines

Wigwams and Tipis

Workspaces

Xylography

Yoga Mat

Ziplock Sensory Bags

Part 4: The ‘Why’

Sensory Zones in the Home

Sensory Zones in the Classroom

Sensory Spaces for People with Dementia

Sensory Zones for Adults with Learning Disabilities

Sensory Spaces for You

Part 5: Sensory Zones

The Senses: Auditory Zone

The Senses: Gustatory Zone

The Senses: Olfactory Zone

The Senses: Tactile Zone

The Senses: Visual Zone

Creativity Zone: Arts

Creativity Zone: Crafts

Diversity Zone

Movement Break Zone

Music Zone

Play Zone

Reading Zone

RE Zone

Roleplay Zone

Science Zone

The Sensory Calendar

Further Resources

Editorial Reviews

"Victoria stands with teachers, teaching assistants, care workers, family members and anyone who wishes to share fun and engaging times with and support someone with complex disabilities and neurodivergent conditions. This joyful book offers a helping hand, a pick-me-up, a message to say that you are not alone. Thumbing through the pages, you will find ideas from a whole team of contributors ready to take tired hands and say, ‘Let’s have some fun; let’s go on a sensory adventure.’ I invite you to adventure within these pages and within the spaces you may create inspired by them."

Dr Joanna Grace, sensory engagement and inclusion specialist

"This is a practical and empowering guide filled with easy-to-adapt ideas for creating inclusive sensory environments on any budget. Victoria brings together deep knowledge, creativity and compassion to support learners of all ages and needs. A brilliant go-to resource for educators, families and anyone looking to make a sensory difference."

Dr Sarah Moseley, author, consultant and trainer in SEND and inclusive practice

"An essential companion for all educators, this easy-to-use A-Z has inspiring ideas popping from every page. Sensory Spaces is an invaluable guide bursting with dynamic, innovative solutions. Notebook and pen ready, delve in, be excited, be enthused; create amazing sensory spaces for all your learners from the wonderful ideas. A must-have for both first-time educators entering the world of sensory learners and experienced educators seeking new inspiring ideas. The depth and breadth of this guide are phenomenal!"

Gwyn McCormack, director, Positive Eye Ltd

"This thoughtfully designed and accessible book would have been invaluable when I began working with children and young adults. Victoria offers a wealth of knowledge alongside innovative, sensory-rich provocations and experiences for the early years, SEND, young people and adults. A truly multi-generational resource, it empowers educators, carers and parents to foster meaningful learning through imagination, creativity and storytelling. This book is an inspiring and practical guide for anyone committed to enriching developmental experiences across all ages."

Gina Bale, creator and founder, Little Magic Train

From the Publisher