What is a Sensory Dressing Up Story?
A sensory dressing up story is an interactive, multi-sensory experience that combines storytelling with physical props and sensory exploration. Unlike traditional sensory stories where children observe or touch objects, dressing up stories invite learners to become the character themselves. This approach is particularly effective for children with special educational needs, sensory processing differences, or those who learn best through tactile experiences.This makes Halloween a perfect theme and a Witch the perfect character.
Benefits of Sensory Dressing Up Stories:
- Enhances engagement through active participation and role-play
- Develops body awareness as children add costume pieces and props
- Builds language skills through repetitive phrases and descriptive vocabulary
- Supports sensory integration by providing varied tactile, visual, and auditory input
- Encourages imagination and creative play
- Promotes turn-taking and social interaction in group settings
- Builds confidence through predictable structure and repetition
How to Use This Story:
Read each line slowly and expressively, pausing to allow children time to put on costume pieces, handle props, or experience the sensory element. Repeat the story multiple times to build familiarity and anticipation. Children can participate at their own comfort level, whether fully dressing up or simply exploring one or two sensory elements. This is great to use in conjunction with our Halloween sound board.
Halloween Sensory Story: You Might be a Witch
You might be a witch if you have… A pointy hat that sits on your head.
You might be a witch if you have… A magic wand that swishes and sparks.
You might be a witch if you have… A broomstick that swooshes through the sky.
You might be a witch if you have… A bubbling cauldron full of brew.
You might be a witch if you have… A black cat that purrs by your side.
You might be a witch if you have… A cloak that swirls and billows out.
You might be a witch if you have… Spell books full of magic words.
You might be a witch if you have… Potion bottles that clink and glow.
You might be a witch if you have… A cackling laugh that echoes loud.
You might be a witch if you have… Sparkly magic dust that twinkles bright.
Download the Free PDF Version Below – Each line is extended a little just use what you need.
Each Line With Sensory Element Ideas
You might be a witch if you have… A pointy hat that sits on your head.
Sensory Elements:
- Different textured witch hats (felt, fabric, paper)
- Hats with bells or ribbons attached
- Practice placing hat on head and feeling the weight
- Look in mirrors while wearing the hat
- Use language: “on your head,” “pointy,” “tall”
You might be a witch if you have… A magic wand that swishes and sparks.
Sensory Elements:
- Wands with ribbons that flutter when moved
- Wands with bells that jingle
- Star-topped wands with sparkly elements
- Glow sticks as glowing wands
- Practice swishing movements in different directions
- Make “whoosh” and “sparkle” sounds together
- Use language: “swish,” “wave,” “sparkle,” “magic”
You might be a witch if you have… A broomstick that swooshes through the sky.
Sensory Elements:
- Child-sized brooms or brushes
- Hobby horses styled as broomsticks
- Brooms with ribbons streaming from the handle
- Practice sweeping motions
- “Fly” around the room making whooshing sounds
- Use scarves or ribbons to show wind movement
- Use language: “fly,” “swoosh,” “up high,” “fast,” “through the air”
You might be a witch if you have… A bubbling cauldron full of brew.
Sensory Elements:
- Black pot or bowl as cauldron
- Water beads, colored rice, or foam for bubbling effect
- Bubble mixture that children can stir
- Add plastic bugs, leaves, or craft materials to stir into the brew
- Wooden spoons for stirring
- Make bubbling sounds: “bubble, bubble, pop!”
- Use language: “stir,” “mix,” “bubble,” “hot,” “potion”
You might be a witch if you have… A black cat that purrs by your side.
Sensory Elements:
- Soft toy cats in various sizes
- Furry or velvet fabric pieces
- Cat ears headbands
- Vibrating toys that simulate purring
- Cat masks or face paint whiskers
- Practice stroking gently
- Make purring and meowing sounds together
- Use language: “soft,” “furry,” “gentle,” “purr,” “beside you”
You might be a witch if you have… A cloak that swirls and billows out.
Sensory Elements:
- Black or purple fabric cloaks in various textures
- Large scarves or fabric pieces
- Cloaks with velvet, satin, or shiny materials
- Weighted blankets for sensory seekers
- Practice spinning and twirling
- Feel the fabric move through the air
- Use fans to make cloaks billow
- Use language: “swirl,” “spin,” “wrap around,” “flowing”
You might be a witch if you have… Spell books full of magic words.
Sensory Elements:
- Old books or handmade books with textured covers
- Books with different page textures (tissue paper, foil, corrugated card)
- Picture symbols of magical items
- Textured letters to trace
- Feather quills or brushes to “write” spells
- Practice turning pages carefully
- Make up nonsense “magic words” together
- Use language: “open,” “read,” “magic words,” “spell,” “abracadabra”
You might be a witch if you have… Potion bottles that clink and glow.
Sensory Elements:
- Small plastic bottles with colored water
- Bottles with glitter or confetti inside
- Glow sticks in bottles
- Bottles with different textures (smooth, ridged, bumpy)
- Bottles that make sounds when shaken
- Practice gentle handling and exploring
- Listen to clinking sounds when bottles touch
- Use language: “shake,” “glow,” “colorful,” “careful,” “clink”
You might be a witch if you have… A cackling laugh that echoes loud.
Sensory Elements:
- Practice different laugh sounds together
- Use microphones or echo tubes
- Musical instruments for sound effects
- Bells, shakers, or drums
- Record and play back cackling sounds
- Vary volume (loud and quiet)
- Use language: “loud,” “laugh,” “hee hee hee,” “echo,” “silly”
You might be a witch if you have… Sparkly magic dust that twinkles bright.
Sensory Elements:
- Glitter in shaker bottles (sealed for safety)
- Sequins or confetti in containers
- Sparkly pom poms or craft materials
- Metallic streamers or tinsel
- Light catchers or reflective materials
- Practice sprinkling movements
- Watch how light catches sparkly materials
- Use language: “sprinkle,” “sparkle,” “shine,” “twinkle,” “magic”
Additional Teaching Links and Extension Activities
Literacy Development:
- Create word banks of descriptive witch vocabulary
- Sequence the story using picture cards
- Write or draw your own witch descriptions
Mathematics:
- Count costume pieces as they’re put on
- Sort props by color, size, or texture
- Create patterns with potion ingredients
- Measure and compare lengths of wands and broomsticks
Science Exploration:
- Explore materials that float or sink in the cauldron
- Investigate reflective and light-catching materials
- Mix safe potions using water, food coloring, and dish soap
- Explore textures: rough, smooth, soft, hard
Art and Creativity:
- Design and decorate your own witch hat
- Create spell books with drawings or collage
- Make potion labels with pictures and symbols
- Paint or draw yourself as a witch
Music and Movement:
- Create a witch dance with flowing movements
- Make sound effects for each part of the story
- Sing witch-themed songs
- Move like you’re flying on a broomstick
Social and Emotional Learning:
- Discuss friendly witches vs. scary witches
- Practice sharing costume pieces
- Talk about what makes each person’s witch unique
- Celebrate different ways of participating
Complete Props List
Essential Props:
- Pointy witch hats
- Magic wands
- Small brooms or brushes
- Bowl or cauldron
- Toy cat or furry fabric
- Black cloak or large fabric
- Old book or handmade spell book
- Small bottles (plastic)
- Bells or shakers
- Glitter in sealed containers
Optional Enhancement Props:
- Mirrors
- Bubble mixture
- Colored water and food coloring
- Water beads or sensory materials
- Glow sticks
- Fans
- Microphone or echo tube
- Feather quills
- Tinsel or streamers
- Face paint or stickers
Sensory Considerations:
- Provide options for children who are sensitive to certain textures
- Offer quieter alternatives for sound-sensitive learners
- Allow children to participate at their own comfort level
- Have a calm space available if anyone becomes overwhelmed
- Consider weighted or compression items for sensory seekers
Tips for Success
- Start Simple: Begin with just 2-3 costume pieces and gradually add more
- Follow the Child’s Lead: Let them choose which props they’re most interested in
- Repeat, Repeat, Repeat: Familiarity builds confidence and engagement
- Adapt as Needed: Modify props and activities for individual needs
- Celebrate Participation: Any level of engagement is success
- Create Anticipation: Use consistent phrases like “You might be a witch if…”
- Take Photos: Document the experience for later reflection and communication
- Make it Social: Share with peers, family members, or classroom buddies
Safety Notes
- Ensure all small items are age-appropriate and supervised
- Seal glitter containers to prevent mess and inhalation
- Use non-toxic, washable materials for face painting
- Check for fabric allergies before using costume pieces
- Supervise wand play to prevent accidental pokes
- Keep bubble solutions away from eyes
- Ensure adequate space for movement activities
Download your free PDF version of this story to print and use in your classroom or therapy sessions!
