Sensory Play Equipment

What is sensory play equipment?

Sensory play equipment gives children hands-on ways to explore the world through touch, sight, sound and movement — squeezing mud, pouring sand, turning dials and feeling different textures. For young children, this kind of open-ended, messy play underpins early learning across the EYFS, building fine motor control, language, early maths through measuring and pouring, and cooperative play. For children with sensory processing differences or additional needs, a well-planned sensory area offers engaging, regulating experiences in a space where they can play alongside their friends.

The range

Our sensory play range brings together hands-on equipment from across the catalogue, with prices from £1,065 — and new sensory products are being added regularly:

• Mud kitchens — the Commercial Mud Kitchen, Little Chef Mud Kitchen, Field Kitchen Mud Play Unit, Outdoor Play Kitchen and Kitchen Educational Play Wall, with worktops, sinks, hobs and mixing stations for messy role play.
• Sand play — the Robinia Square Sandpit, the Commercial Sand Digger and the Inclusive Wheelchair-Accessible Sand Digger for digging, scooping and building, plus the Voyager Junior Play Ship, a nautical play unit with its own integrated sand play area.
• Inclusive tactile & activity panels — the Wheelchair-Accessible Sandpit & Educational Panel Play Unit and the Mini Zoo Inclusive Educational Panel Set, with reachable tactile panels, Braille signage and audible signalling for SEND-friendly play.
• Light-up & musical panels — the Speed Race Light-Up Sensory Play Panel and Maths Chalkboard Light-Up Play Panel, with spinning wheels that glow in colour as children turn them, and the Trio Musical Sensory Play Panel, with maraca drums, pentatonic tube chimes and bongos on three sides.
• Outdoor musical instruments — the Symphony Freechimes, Emperor Chimes giant chime set and Small Babel Outdoor Tongue Drum for melodic, pentatonic play where there are no wrong notes; the Street Congas Duo, Djembes Outdoor Drum Set and Stainless Steel Outdoor Cajon Drum for hand drumming and rhythm; and the Baby Outdoor Floor Piano, a 13-note piano installed flush with the ground for jumping, dancing and wheelchair play.
• Nest & basket swings — the Nest Swing, Classic Basket Swing, Round Bird's Nest Rope Swing, Dandelion Themed Nest Swing, Robinia Nest Swing, Double Nest Swing and Triple Basket Swing, with wide rope-net seats that let children lie back, rock and swing together — rhythmic movement that many children find calming and regulating.
• Light, sound & movement — the S-Curve Light & Sound Seesaw, whose rocking motion powers colour LEDs and built-in music with no mains connection, and the Light-Up Star-Handle Carousel, whose rotation powers colour lights built into its frame.

Built for busy public playgrounds

Our sensory equipment is built for constant outdoor use in schools and public play areas, using galvanised, powder-coated or stainless steel, robinia and oil-treated timber, hand-tuned aluminium and coloured HDPE and HPL panels, with stainless-steel sinks and scoops, reinforced rope-net swing seats and plastic-capped fixings throughout. Every unit is manufactured to BS EN 1176 and backed by a commercial warranty. Many sensory units have low free-fall heights, while swings, seesaws, carousels and raised play units need impact-absorbing surfacing matched to their free-fall height — we can advise on the right surface for your site. Our outdoor musical instruments are played from ground level, so they need no impact-absorbing surfacing — just the recommended clear space around each one.

Who installs Morti sensory play equipment

Our sensory range is specified by nurseries and early-years settings, primary and infant schools, SEND and special schools, forest-school and outdoor-learning providers, local authorities and parish councils, housing developers, farm parks and visitor attractions. We're happy to provide the specifications and quotations needed to support a funding bid or tender, including school capital and SEND budgets, Section 106 contributions, the National Lottery and local grants.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between sensory play and messy play? Messy play with mud and sand is one of the most popular forms of sensory play, but sensory play is broader, taking in tactile panels, textures, light, sound and movement. Our range covers both.

Is sensory play equipment suitable for SEND settings? Yes — several units are designed for inclusive use, with wheelchair-height play surfaces, reachable activity panels, Braille signage and audible signalling, so children of all abilities can play together. Our nest swings are a popular addition too, as their wide rope seats let children swing lying down or side by side with a friend.

How loud are outdoor musical instruments? It depends on the instrument. Close up, the Street Congas Duo measures around 56 dB and the Emperor Chimes around 91 dB, and sound drops off quickly with distance. Each product page and spec sheet lists sound levels so you can plan instruments around classrooms and neighbours.

Are the prices shown ex-VAT? Yes — all prices are ex-VAT for equipment supply only. Delivery and UK-wide installation are quoted per site with your quotation.

Help planning a sensory play area

Whether you're adding a single mud kitchen or planning a complete sensory zone, our team can match equipment to your children, space and budget. Call +44 (0)1278 741 110 or email info@mortisportandplay.co.uk for advice and a quotation.