11+ Ways to Try BDSM Sensation Play (With & Without Toys)

Written by Leja: Co-creator of The Sex Shed. Curious by nature with a sharp eye for detail. Remarkably organized and full of love. A thoughtful soul who finds joy in putting things in order and winding down with a good TV show.

We’re big fans of sensation play—whether it’s the exhilarating buzz of a vibrator, the soft tickle of a feather, or the deep thud of a paddle. That’s why we’re sharing some of our favorite ways to explore BDSM sensation play, with and without toys.

What is sensation play?

Sensation play is a form of BDSM that involves one person using different stimuli on themselves or their partner. The person providing the stimulation can use various parts of their body or objects to deliver a wide range of sensations—think texture, temperature, moisture, or impact. These sensations can range from subtle and soothing to intense and overwhelming.

One simple but powerful way to heighten the experience is to use a blindfold. When sight is removed, the body often becomes more attuned to touch. Every stroke, whisper, or breath lands with more intensity. To go even further, consider adding noise-cancelling headphones or playing ambient sounds to limit auditory input, too. Blocking out external noise can deepen the recipient’s focus on the sensations happening to their body, creating a more immersive and intense experience.

Sensation Play Without Toys: Using Your Body for Pleasure and Tease

You don’t need to invest in fancy toys and tools to engage in sensation play. Get creative with your own body to deliver a thrilling session. I like it when my lover places a blindfold carefully over my eyes and then whispers in my ear, revealing what he’s planning to do to me. The feeling of vulnerability makes me twitch with anticipation, and as he slowly pulls my clothes off, I can’t help but get wet.

I might not be able to see, but I can certainly feel. I feel his fingers trace my naked flesh as they snake their way along my limbs. I feel his hand run between my thighs, climbing higher towards my pussy, but stopping just short of the lips. I wince slightly as his fingers begin to pinch, flick, and roll my bare skin. I also cannot help but enjoy the firm squeeze of his thumb and index fingers gripping my flesh tightly before he releases and then rubs tenderly. 

My lover turns me on by alternating sensations, being soft and gentle one moment and then more brutal the next. He knows how to use his mouth as well as his fingers. As he gently blows, I notice his hot breath on the back of my neck - which makes me moan with desire. I feel his lips brush against my collarbone, and as he plants kisses down to my tits, my nipples start to stiffen.

His mouth closes around my erect buds and he gently licks at the tip of each nipple, before running his tongue down my torso, licking my skin and making tentative pit stops on his downward journey. At this point, I’m yearning for him to dive his head between my thighs and eat my pussy, but I hold back – this is exquisite torture, and I love it. 

My lover returns to his caressing, alternating smooth and subtle fingertip caresses with the sharpness of fingernails drawn over nude flesh. The scratches tingle and burn, but the gentle caresses ease the pain and the pleasurable contrast is almost unbearable. 

With my pussy on fire my man goes into full tease mode, flipping me onto my front and then using the palm of his hand to spank my bare cheeks and thighs. The rhythmical smack is almost hypnotizing, and I yelp as his hand delivers another stinging blow. 

Just when I think I can take no more, I feel his head return to the hot spot between my legs and his tongue begins to lap at my vulva. I arch my back, pushing my groin toward his face—and that’s when I feel a cool trickle glide down my inner thighs. It’s the body-safe edible lube he grabbed earlier, chilled slightly for effect. As it drips over my vulva, I stifle a giggle. My guy wastes no time indulging, licking me clean like it’s the sweetest treat he’s ever tasted.

Sensation Play With Toys: Impact, Texture, and Temperature Play

There are plenty of ways to incorporate sensation play toys into your BDSM session too. If you are into kink, you may have a few impact tools in your toy box, such as spanking paddles, riding crops, and floggers. You can use these to deliver a sting or a thud, but impact tools can also be utilized to dispense different sensations. 

Must-Try Tools: Floggers, Crops, Pinwheels, and Vibrators

Instead of immediately striking with a flogger, try trailing the tails over naked skin first. This soft tickle adds a sense of anticipation, and you can drag the tails from top to toe. Of course, you don’t have to play nice all of the time. Keep your submissive on edge by bringing the flogger down on their fleshy areas from time to time, vary the strikes from soft to hard, and add gentle drags of the tails in between.

You can do the same with paddles and riding crops, too. Varying sensations from mild to harsh will keep play interesting and ensure you have your submissive’s full attention. My lover has an amazing paddle – rigid black leather on one side and soft purple fur on the other. He loves to use both sides, changing from furry smacks to rigid whacks before I can say ouch! 

Riding crops can be tapped on naked skin – the keeper delivers a delicious flick that won’t go unnoticed. You can also drag the end along inner thighs and arms, stopping at random points to remind the sub who is in charge with a not-so-gentle tap.

Pinwheels (Wartenberger wheels) and claws also rank highly on my list of faves. The scratch and scrape of metal or sharp plastic never fails to exhilarate me, and although it hurts, something is alluring about being tormented by these sharp and prickly tools. 

Tips for Playing with Toys and Temperature Play

We can’t forget good old sex toys too. Vibrators are top of the pile for providing buzzy sensations designed to build sexual tension and set you on the path to a climax. And as the creators of The Sex Shed, an online sex store, we’re all about getting creative with your toys—so don’t feel like you need to head straight for the vagina. Rub the vibrator on the inner thighs, tease the butt crack, hell, you can even tickle your partner’s nose if that’s their bag.

Glass toys are great too, and lend themselves well to sensation play. Carefully cool or heat a sex toy before teasing your lover with it. If they are blindfolded, they will find this even more thrilling. You could even use two sex toys and alternate between warm and chilled to keep things fresh. 

Relish the sensations, but play safely: Negotiation, Consent, and Communication

You might feel a little on edge at first, especially if you’re new to BDSM or new to wearing a blindfold. Putting your trust in a partner can be daunting, and that’s why communication, consent, and negotiation should be your top priority. Talk about your expectations for play, agree on consent, work out boundaries, and identify safe words/signals. When you’re ready to rock and roll, get in the zone with some hot foreplay and then open your mind and body to some serious BDSM sensation play.