Sensory Path Resource Center – Fit and Fun Playscapes LLC

Q: What is a sensory path?

A sensory path is a series of movement-based activities designed to help users improve focus, coordination, balance, and sensory regulation. Sensory paths guide participants through actions like hopping, stretching, balancing, or marching using visual cues placed on floors or walls.

Q: What are sensory paths used for in schools?

Schools use sensory paths to support self-regulation, physical activity, and brain breaks throughout the day. They are commonly used to help students transition between spaces, release excess energy, and improve attention before returning to academic tasks.

Q: Where can sensory paths be installed?

Sensory paths can be installed in school hallways, classrooms, gyms, libraries, cafeterias, and common areas. They are also used in community centers, YMCAs, senior centers, and healthcare or therapy settings.

Q: Are sensory paths only for elementary students?

No. Sensory paths can be adapted for all ages and abilities, including middle school students, adults, and seniors. Activity intensity and design can be customized to support different mobility levels, cognitive needs, and goals.

Q: What is the difference between indoor and outdoor sensory paths?

Indoor sensory paths are typically placed in hallways or classrooms and focus on controlled movement and transitions. Outdoor sensory paths often allow for larger movements and can be used during recess or physical education. Both support coordination, movement, and engagement.

Q: Are sensory paths permanent?

Sensory paths can be either temporary or long-term, depending on the materials used. Many schools prefer removable or non-painted options so layouts can be updated, relocated, or changed as needs evolve.

Q: Do sensory paths support students with sensory processing needs?

Yes. Sensory paths are frequently used by occupational therapists and educators to support students with sensory processing differences, ADHD, autism, and other learning or regulation challenges. They provide structured movement opportunities that help improve focus and calmness.

Q: How long does a sensory path last?

Longevity depends on placement, traffic level, and maintenance. Indoor sensory paths in hallways or classrooms typically last longer than outdoor installations and require minimal upkeep when installed properly.

Q: Can sensory paths be customized?

Yes. Sensory paths can be customized with specific activities, color schemes, themes, or school branding to align with space constraints, age groups, or program goals.

Q: Do sensory paths require supervision?

Sensory paths are designed for independent or guided use. Clear visuals and simple instructions help ensure safe participation, though supervision policies should always follow school or facility guidelines.

Sensory paths — also known as sensory pathways or sensory hallways — are structured movement experiences created to support focus, regulation, and physical activity in school environments. Often installed indoors using high-quality floor and wall decals, sensory paths help students engage their bodies and minds while transitioning between classrooms or during built-in movement breaks.

This Sensory Path Resource Center is your comprehensive guide to understanding what sensory paths are, how they work in hallways and indoor spaces, and how schools can design, maintain, and refresh sensory path decals to maximize engagement, inclusion, and student well-being throughout the school day.

What is a sensory path?

What are sensory paths used for in schools?

Where can sensory paths be installed?

Are sensory paths only for elementary students?

What is the difference between indoor and outdoor sensory paths?

Are sensory paths permanent?

Do sensory paths support students with sensory processing needs?

How long does a sensory path last?

Can sensory paths be customized?

Do sensory paths require supervision?

Sensory paths and sensory play are a natural part of a child’s day. Children and students all over the world are being flooded with a variety of sensory stimuli across the host of different environments that they encounter each and every day. These experiences are part of a continuous series of "sensory pathways" that help them learn about their environment, what is expected of them, and how they are supposed to interact with the broader world around them.

Sadly, many children’s sensory pathways, and ultimately their sensory systems of the body, are simply not challenged enough. If the sensory system is under-stimulated, our bodies often seek out ways to find stimulation to satisfy that need. In children, this sensory-seeking behavior often manifests in tantrums, crying, hyperactivity, and more.

Providing a comprehensive approach to, and ensuring that, children have ample opportunities to engage in daily physical activity (by increasing opportunities to experience new sensory pathways) is critical to their development. When sensory paths are created in a meaningful and thoughtful way, they can contribute to a child’s overall health and daily well-being.

Fit and Fun Playscapes can help you with intentional products that use evidence-based practices like physical activity and visual cues, to create environments that help your neurodiverse kiddos. Our products draw upon decades of experience in the adapted pe, sensory integration, and occupational therapy fields to make tools that use a special formula of colors, patterns, and sequences. This "balance" of visual input gives kiddos just the right amount of stimuli to help them regulate in dynamic settings.

Fit and Fun Playscapes collaborates with many experts across a diverse range of fields to provide your with quality, well-researched products. Our unique and innovative development process gives you access to high-quality products based on the collective experience of our team as well as offering free resources on sensory related topics.

Expert Help & Resources

The below articles are written by Dr. Timothy D. Davis, CAPE, (Certified Adapted Physical Educator), Associate Professor, SUNY Cortland, Department of Physical Education, and Founder and Director of the Sensory Integration/Motor Sensory (SIMS) Movement Exploration Center at SUNY Cortland. Dr. Tim is also our senior educational consultant.

Understanding The Sensory System And The Importance Of “Sensory Pathways”

The Science Behind the Senses

Sensory Essentials: Vestibular/Tactical/Proprioception Senses

Difficulty with Self-Regulation and the Importance of Sensory Motor Skills

Providing Additional Sensory Motor Opportunities by Enhancing Sensory Pathway

Indoor sensory paths made with floor and wall decals are an effective way to bring movement, focus, and self-regulation into school hallways and sensory rooms. Over time, these decals especially economical-grade options can wear quickly. However, even high-quality sensory path decals can experience wear due to daily foot traffic, routine cleaning, moving furniture across the decals. Students engagement can naturally decrease over time as well. Oftentimes, these sensory paths were an investment and replacing the entire path is not the best option, especially in this economical environment when every dollar is being scrutinized. So a "refresh" is a way for many schools to upgrade without a huge expense. Click the link below to read the full blog.