Sensory toys can be fun and challenging. They’re also a good way to encourage kids to use their fine motor skills, and they can help improve your child’s ability to focus.
Here are some DIY sensory toys that you can make at home with supplies found in any craft store:
| Key Points |
|---|
| DIY sensory toys can be affordable and easy to make at home using simple materials. |
| Sensory play provides numerous benefits for children, including promoting sensory development, improving fine and gross motor skills, aiding in communication and socialization, and reducing stress and anxiety. |
| When choosing sensory toys for your child, consider their age, interests, and individual needs to provide the appropriate level of sensory input. |
| DIY sensory toys can be customized to meet a child’s individual needs and preferences, and can be a fun and engaging way to encourage sensory play. |
Kaboom!
If you have some old bottles, it’s time to get creative! Kaboom! is a great way to reuse materials and turn them into an activity your child will love.
To make Kaboom!:
Gather empty 2-liter soda bottles and clear plastic wrap or packing tape (at least 3 inches long)
Wrap the bottle in plastic wrap or tape, leaving one end exposed so that air can escape when you place it on its side. Leave about 1/2 inch of space at the top so that when you add water, there is still room for expansion.
Fill each bottle with water until full but not gushing over the top edge of the wrapping or tape. Then place them on their sides overnight to allow sediment from inside the bottle (from previous drinks) to settle out before playing with them next morning!
Sensory play is not just fun, it also enhances learning and development in toddlers. To learn more about the benefits of sensory play, check out our guide on sensory play for toddlers.
Tickle Me Chuckles from Melissa and Doug
The Tickle Me Chuckles doll is a soft, cuddly doll that giggles when you tickle it. The doll has a soft body that is easy for little hands to grip and squeeze.
It has a big smile and an endearing laugh. This Melissa & Doug toy makes for hours of fun for your child or grandchild!
A sensory basket
The first step to making a sensory basket is choosing a container. If you have a little one on the way, consider using an old baby bath or a large box or basket (with holes punched in the bottom for drainage).
You can also use an empty kitchen trash can just make sure to line it with plastic bags so that when your child inevitably dumps out all of his toys, they don’t leak through the bottom of your bin!
Next, grab some things that are safe for babies and fill up your container. This part is really up to you and your child’s interests: try sticking mostly with materials that are soft and smooth—think stuffed animals or fabric scraps but throw in some ribbons too!
A hanging bank for rattles
- What you need:
- a plastic container with a lid (the kind of container that yogurt comes in works well)
- some pennies and nickels
- some small toys or treasure items for your child to find when he or she shakes the rattles
How to make it: Use a drill bit that’s slightly larger than the biggest toy you’ll be putting into your bank. Drill holes into the bottom of the lid, and then use hot glue or silicone sealant to seal them shut. You’ll also want to put some glue around where you plan to attach the lid so that it stays on securely.
Place all of your coins into the bottom of your container, then screw on its lid tightly. This is important because once you get started shaking this thing up, there’s no telling what might come loose!
Now just add some treasures, place it on top of a table near an outlet where there are no breakable things below (and definitely nowhere near any pets), plug it in and start shaking away!
Looking for the perfect sensory toys to add to your toddler’s toy box? Check out our list of 15 sensory toys every toddler should have for some great ideas!
An electric toy
Electric toys are a fun and challenging way to play with your child. Some examples of electric toys include cars, trains and airplanes that require batteries to run. These kinds of toys can be played with indoors or outdoors depending on the type of toy you choose.
Once you have decided on the type of electric toy that you want to purchase for your child, it’s important to understand how these devices work as well as what they do when they are turned on.
You should also make sure that there are no small parts that could be swallowed by younger children who may use these products without supervision.
If you wish to create an electric toy yourself, then there are instructions available online which explain exactly how this process works so that anyone can make their own unique creation!
A DIY stuffed fox
Use a pattern. You can find patterns for stuffed animals in knitting and sewing magazines, or you can use your own measurements to create one from scratch.
Use your own measurements to make a toy body for the fox (remember that the bottom should be about twice as wide and long as the top). The legs should be roughly half as long as the body, with both ends curving out at about 45-degree angles so that they form an “M” shape when viewed from above (see diagram below).
Join all three pieces together using pins or safety pins to hold them in place while you sew them together, then sew around each side of each seam with either a needle and thread or a sewing machine (make sure to leave an opening near where you started so that it’ll be easier later!).
When finished making sure all edges are secure by going over them again with another stitch or two before closing up openings left behind by stitching through thick materials like felt; this will prevent any tears from occurring during playtime!
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child can be overwhelming. To make the process easier, check out our guide on how to choose the right sensory toys for toddlers and make sure your child is getting the most out of their playtime.
Glowing light-up wisps for a ceiling
To make glowing light-ups for a ceiling, you’ll first need to paint it with glow-in-the-dark paint. Glow-in-the-dark paint is non-toxic and safe for kids, but do note that the glow won’t last as long on porous surfaces like walls or ceilings.
You can create your own projector to project stars onto the ceiling using a flashlight and some cardboard to cover the flashlight lens. Here’s how:
Cut out star shapes from cardboard (you can use anything you want here—regular paper works fine). You could also use thin styrofoam sheets instead of cardboard if you have them lying around.
Tape or glue one side of each star shape to an old flashlight so that there is no gap between where the light shines through and where it hits your star object (this will allow more light through).
Then turn off all lights in your house except for one room it doesn’t matter which room! It just has to be dark enough so that when this flashlight shines into another room, its light is visible there too.”
Non-toxic paintbrushes and sponges
You’ll need a tray to put your sponges and paintbrushes in, as well as some paper towels for cleaning up.
Pour liquid tempera paint onto one of the sponges and use the brush to spread it around evenly. You can also mix food coloring into the paint if you want to create colored sponges!
Use a different sponge for each color you want to make. Next, dip your painted sponges into water so that they are wet but not dripping wet.
Press them onto paper and let dry completely before removing them from the page (you may have partially dried paint on your page).
Looking for sensory play ideas on a budget? Our guide on sensory play on a budget has got you covered! Check it out for some great DIY sensory toy ideas that won’t break the bank.”
Tools of the trade
You can purchase the tools of the trade at your local hardware store or online. You’ll probably want to head to the hardware store with your child in tow so they can help pick out the perfect tool for their needs and that doesn’t break the bank. Be sure to let them know how expensive these tools are, so they understand why it’s important not to lose or break them!
Sensory toys can be fun and challenging.
Sensory toys can be fun and challenging. They are a great way to keep your child engaged and active, while also helping them to develop their senses. Here’s how you can make a sensory toy at home:
Materials: You need some materials that can hold a liquid or gel-like substance in place (like pom poms), along with something that will allow the liquid or gel to drain out once it has been poured in (like paper towel).
Process: Pour the liquid into your container and put on the lid after you have finished filling it up with whatever substance you want to use for this project. You might even add some glitter for extra pizzazz! Leave it overnight so that all of the air bubbles will escape before using it again tomorrow!
Why buy sensory toys when you can make them at home? Check out our guide on 10 sensory toys you can make at home for some fun and easy DIY sensory toy ideas that your child will love.
Sensory Play Ideas Table
| Sensory Play Idea | Description |
|---|---|
| Sensory bottles | Clear bottles filled with various materials, such as rice, beads, or glitter, that provide visual and tactile stimulation. |
| Sensory bags | Clear plastic bags filled with various materials that can be squished and manipulated. |
| Squishy bags | Similar to sensory bags, but with a softer, squishy texture. |
| Sensory bins | Containers filled with various materials, such as rice, sand, or water beads, that provide tactile exploration opportunities. |
| Homemade playdough | Soft, pliable dough that can be made in various colors and scents for tactile and olfactory stimulation. |
| Sensory balls | Balls filled with various materials, such as rice or beans, that provide tactile and auditory stimulation. |
| Stress balls | Similar to sensory balls, but designed to provide stress relief and help with fidgeting. |
| Sensory art projects | Using materials such as shaving cream, finger paint, or glue can provide a tactile and creative sensory experience. |
Conclusion
Sensory toys are a great way to incorporate some of the most important elements of a child’s development: creativity, curiosity, problem-solving skills, and more.
Many of these toys can be handmade with items found around your house or bought inexpensively at the store.
And by using fun materials like glitter or foam beads in your craft projects, you’ll be able to keep your kids engaged while they learn!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for DIY sensory toys:
Healis Autism: This blog post provides a list of easy and affordable DIY sensory toys for kids with autism.
Moms and Crafters: This article features 15 sensory toys that you can make at home using simple materials.
Verywell Family: This guide explains how to make your own sensory toys at home and provides a variety of DIY sensory toy ideas for children of all ages.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that are designed to stimulate one or more of the senses (sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste) and provide a therapeutic benefit. They are often used to help children with sensory processing issues or to aid in their development.
What are the benefits of sensory toys?
Sensory toys provide many benefits, including promoting sensory development, improving fine and gross motor skills, aiding in communication and socialization, and reducing stress and anxiety.
How do you choose the right sensory toy for a child?
When choosing a sensory toy for a child, consider their age, interests, and individual needs. It’s important to choose a toy that is appropriate for their developmental stage and provides the appropriate level of sensory input.
Can you make your own sensory toys at home?
Yes, you can make your own sensory toys at home using simple materials such as rice, beans, playdough, and other household items. DIY sensory toys are often more affordable and can be customized to meet a child’s individual needs.
What are some examples of DIY sensory toys?
Some examples of DIY sensory toys include sensory bottles, squishy bags, sensory bags, sensory bins, and homemade playdough. These toys can be made using a variety of materials and are often easy and affordable to create.
Meet Hellen James, the multi-talented writer and nurturing mother who takes young readers on a thrilling journey through her sensory-infused blog. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a parent.
