Sensory stories

Unleash your imagination and awaken your senses with our sensory stories. Start exploring now and enjoy a whole new way to experience storytelling – right from the comfort of home.

Sensory stories are a great way to provide sensory stimulation and develop communication in a fun way. Each one of our sensory stories is designed to activate the senses, creating a fully immersive experience for your child.

Ready to dive in? Browse our stories below and find your next sensory adventure!

A visit to the circus

Join Ben and Betty as they embark on a magical trip to the circus in this short sensory story. Feel the textures of the clown’s costume, hear the cheerful circus music, and smell the sweet popcorn in the air.

It's party time!

Billy is thrilled to attend his nursery party, where every moment is filled with excitement and surprises. From the sweet smell of jelly to the soft touch of colourful balloons, we’ll take you on a journey through Billy’s fun-filled day in this short sensory story.

Going on a sensory walk

Set out on a sensory walk through a world of colourful leaves, cool breezes, and glistening puddles in this short sensory story. With each step, the crunch of fallen leaves and the soft rustling of trees create a magical experience.

About the illustrators

Paul Hickin

Paul (left), an artist who has a learning disability and is profoundly deaf, has been supported by Sense since 1995. His art focuses on painting and line drawings and he likes to capture landscapes and everyday moments, which helps him to express himself and show others how he sees the world. “My work is important. I have something to share.”

Ben Jones

Co-artist Ben (right), is an illustrator specialising in live drawing, including caricatures and visual note-taking. Ben, who has experience supporting disabled artists, created the perfect environment for Paul to explore, express and create for our Sensory Stories. “It was an inspiring few weeks spent with Paul and I hope everyone enjoys the fruits of what we created.”

How it works

Any book can be broken down into workable parts. Each section should be a sentence or two long and accompanied by a sensory experience.

Tell the story a number of times with consistency. This repetition will promote cognitive development and develop an understanding of communication.

To get started, simply choose a story from our collection. Each story includes prompts to guide you along the way.

Benefits of sensory stories

Sensory stories are a great way to:

• Develop listening, turn-taking and communication skills.
• Introduce new sensory experiences in a safe space.
• Support brain development. 
• Make storytime accessible to everyone. 
• Get creative and have fun!