Sensory toys are a great way to help kids focus and release energy. They can also be used to stimulate creativity and imagination in children, or even just provide some fun playtime! If you’re looking for some new sensory toy ideas that you can make yourself, this post has you covered.
| Key Points |
|---|
| Sensory play is an important part of children’s development. |
| Sensory toys can stimulate one or more of the senses and help children explore and understand the world around them. |
| DIY sensory toys can be made using common household items and are a fun and affordable way to provide sensory play opportunities for children. |
| Sensory play provides many benefits for children, including improved cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. |
Sensory Bottle
A sensory bottle is a great art project for kids to make at home or in the classroom. They’re easy to make, and they can be used as quiet toys during school time.
A sensory bottle is like a homemade aquarium with marbles and other small objects floating inside the plastic container.
The idea behind these little creations is that they provide visual stimulation while also providing enough movement to keep kids interested.
They’re also calming because they have a calming effect on those who use them, especially if they’re made with scents like lavender essential oil (which we’ll talk about later).
To make one of these DIY projects yourself, you’ll need:
- A clean glass jar or vase (smaller ones are better for younger children)
- Water (purified tap water works well)
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child can be overwhelming. Our guide on sensory toys for toddlers will help you understand what to look for and how to make the right choice
Glitter Bottles
Glitter bottles are a great DIY sensory toy for kids because they can be made with items you probably already have in your house. You just need a bottle, some water and glitter!
To make one:
- Fill the bottle about halfway with water.
- Add a few drops of food coloring (optional).
- Add glitter until it reaches about 1 inch from the top of the bottle.
You can use other types of bottles too—like spray bottles or squeeze bottles—or even try different types of glitter such as holographic or iridescent!
Use what you have to make something beautiful! If you’re worried about your child getting sick from unclean hands after making one, keep an eye on them while they play so they can wash their hands before eating or using the bathroom.
Pros and Cons of Homemade Sensory Toys vs. Store-Bought Sensory Toys
| Homemade Sensory Toys | Store-Bought Sensory Toys |
|---|---|
| Budget-friendly | Can be expensive |
| Customizable | Limited options |
| Fun and creative | May not be tailored to a child’s specific interests and needs |
| Can be made with common household items | May not be as durable |
| May not have safety certifications | Safety certified |
Jingle Bell Bracelets
Materials you will need:
- Jingle bells (optional)
- Beads of your choice
- Pipe cleaners
- Scissors or wire cutters (to cut the pipe cleaner)
Step 1: Wrap one end of each pipe cleaner around a pencil. This will give you a good grasp on it while making it easier to manipulate as well.
Step 2: Cut the remaining 3 pieces into 6-8 inch long pieces. You can use these pieces to make multiple bracelets if you have multiple children who will be sharing them with their friends at school or daycare. If not, feel free to use just one set!
Looking for fun and easy DIY projects to create sensory toys for your child? Our tutorial on 10 sensory toys you can make at home provides step-by-step instructions and materials needed for each project.
Edible Glitter Slime
Edible glitter slime is a fun and easy DIY sensory toy to make for kids. It’s squishy, slippery, and colorful. The best part? You can eat it!
Edible glitter slime is made with glue, cornstarch, water and food coloring. Just add some of each ingredient into a bowl (in any ratio) until you reach the consistency that you want: runny or thick. Add more water if it’s too dense or more cornstarch if it’s too wet.
We recommend using cornstarch instead of flour because it’s less likely to get in your hair or on your clothes as you play with this DIY sensory toy!
Once you’ve made your edible glitter slime, store it in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to play with again otherwise put in the fridge so that the ingredients don’t separate over time!
To use this homemade sensory toy bring out two containers filled with equal amounts of water so that they balance each other out; pour one container into another – watch how quickly everything moves around when there’s nothing holding them back!
Erupting Paint Bags
Fill a reusable bag with water and add a few drops of food coloring or paint. Seal the bag tightly with a rubber band, making sure that it’s not too tight so that you can squeeze the bag later on. The size of the bag should be big enough to fit your hand in when you are done filling it up with water and coloring.
Once everything is dry, take out your erupting paint bags from storage and have fun!
Homemade Oobleck
Oobleck is a non-Newtonian fluid. It acts like a solid when pressure is applied, but acts like a liquid when pressure is removed.
This makes oobleck perfect for sensory play because kids can explore the properties of this fun substance without any worries about getting messy or dirty!
To make homemade oobleck, you will need:
- 2 cups cornstarch
- 1 cup water
If you’re new to the world of sensory toys, our guide on DIY sensory toys for beginners is a great place to start. We cover everything from the benefits of sensory play to materials you’ll need for your DIY projects
Foam Blocks
Foam blocks are a great sensory toy for kids. They are easy to clean, store and they provide hours of fun.
The blocks help with fine motor skills and can be used in a number of ways, such as stacking them on top of each other or making shapes.
If you want to make your own foam blocks then we have some great tutorials for you below!
Color Sorting Activity
If you want to create a color sorting activity, the first thing you should do is find some objects that are all different colors.
You can buy toy blocks in colors like blue, red and yellow. Or if you have leftover craft supplies lying around your house (like we did), then try using construction paper as well as other things like beads or buttons.
To use this activity, simply place your child in front of it and encourage them to sort out the different colors by placing each one into its own pile on top of the tray table.
The object here is for them to learn how to match up similar colors together so that they know where each one goes when they go through their daily routine at school or daycare center later on down the road!
If there is more than just one person playing with these toys at once then try putting them all together into one big group so everyone has access equally!
It also makes it easier because then no matter which way someone moves their hand around will be fine since there won’t be any extra clutter around keeping anyone else from seeing what’s going on too much during playtime 🙂
Looking for the best sensory toys for infants and toddlers? Our guide on top sensory toys for infants and toddlers provides a list of toys that promote development and stimulate the senses.
Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand is a type of moldable sand that looks like regular sand but has the texture and consistency of wet beach sand.
It comes in many different colors, which are usually made from food coloring. Kinetic sand can be used as a sensory tool for children with autism or other developmental disorders because it helps them to develop their fine motor skills.
To make kinetic sand at home, you need:
- 1 box of plain Play-Doh (or you could use another brand)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (you can substitute flour)
Tic Tac Toe Sensory Board
Tic tac toe is a fun game for kids to play. If you make your own sensory board, it can become an even more enjoyable experience for them.
All you need to create this tic tac toe sensory board is a piece of cardboard (how big depends on how big you want your board), some glue, crayons or markers, and a ruler. You could also use paint instead of markers/crayons if desired!
When making yours at home, try to find something that is not too colorful or distracting so as not to distract from the purpose of sensory play – which is getting lost in their imagination!*
Use it by placing it on top of another piece of cardboard (or other surface) and then use the Xs and Os like how they do traditional tic tac toe games with paper pieces.* Please note: if using marker ink instead of crayon/pencil only do so when using an old toy or item that has been cleaned thoroughly beforehand because marker ink stains easily*.
Diy A Diy Sensory Board.
Have you heard of the sensory board? It’s a neat little toy that can be used to help kids focus and calm down, particularly those who have sensory issues. Sensory boards are often used in classrooms with autistic students and children with ADHD or developmental delays.
The idea behind a sensory board is that it allows your child to focus on an activity that isn’t too noisy or rough (like throwing blocks around), but still provides them with sensory input like texture and color. In addition, they’ll also enjoy seeing their finished product when they’re done working!
Making your very own DIY sensory board is easy as pie and even more fun if you get some friends together for this project!
Here’s what you’ll need: -A piece of corkboard or cardboard at least 14×20 inches big -Glue stick -Paint brush -Acrylic paint in various colors (optional) -Scissors -Tape
If you’re just starting out with sensory toys, our guide on understanding the basics will help you understand what they are and why they’re important for children’s development. From there, you can explore different types of sensory toys and activities.
Putty Recipe For Kids
This project is easy and fun!
You’ll need:
- 3/4 cup cornstarch (or flour or oatmeal)
- 1/2 cup water
- food coloring (we used blue, but you can make any color you want)
- essential oils (optional)
Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. You can use an electric mixer if you have one, but we just used our hands because it was so much more fun!
Now comes the second part of this sensory toy for kids! Pour your putty into containers with lids so that it can set overnight before playing with it again tomorrow morning.
Kids will love rolling their new creation into balls or making shapes out of it! Add some essential oils to enhance your sensory experience even further!
Recommended Sensory Toys by Age Group
| Age Group | Recommended Sensory Toys |
|---|---|
| Infants | Soft toys, textured balls, musical toys, teething toys, and mirrors. |
| Toddlers | Play tunnels, sensory bins, water toys, and light-up toys. |
| Preschool | Art supplies, building blocks, sensory tables, and dress-up clothes. |
| School-age | Board games, puzzles, sports equipment, and musical instruments. |
Conclusion
Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to try some of these activities with your kids and see the wonder in their eyes.
Sensory toys are a great way to engage children in hands-on activities and develop their creativity skills. And if you want more ideas for DIY sensory toys, check out our collection here!
Further Reading
Homemade Baby Toys: Learn how to make your own baby toys using common household items with this comprehensive guide.
DIY Sensory Toys on Pinterest: This Pinterest board is filled with great ideas for sensory toys you can make at home.
DIY Sensory Toys for Kids: Get inspired with these creative DIY sensory toy ideas that are easy to make and budget-friendly.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that stimulate one or more of the senses, such as touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste. These toys are designed to help children explore and understand the world around them.
What are the benefits of sensory play?
Sensory play provides many benefits for children, including improved cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Sensory play also helps children develop their creativity, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence.
What types of sensory toys are there?
There are many different types of sensory toys, including toys for tactile stimulation, visual stimulation, auditory stimulation, olfactory stimulation, and taste stimulation. Some examples include textured balls, light-up toys, musical instruments, scented playdough, and taste-safe sensory bins.
Can I make my own sensory toys at home?
Yes, making your own sensory toys at home can be a fun and rewarding activity. Many sensory toys can be made using common household items, such as rice, beans, socks, and containers. DIY sensory toys are also a great way to save money and personalize the toys to your child’s interests and needs.
Are sensory toys only for children with special needs?
No, sensory toys are beneficial for all children, not just those with special needs. Sensory play helps all children develop their cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
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.
