Sensory toys are a great way to help your child with calming, and they can be used at any age. Sensory toys are also often educational, which makes them an excellent way to keep kids busy while learning!
| Sensory Toy | Materials | Benefits | How to Make |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensory Bottles | Plastic Bottles, Glitter, Water, Food Coloring, Sequins | Promotes visual development and focus | Fill bottle with water and add glitter, sequins, or other small objects. |
| Playdough | Flour, Salt, Water, Oil, Food Coloring | Develops fine motor skills and creativity | Mix together ingredients and add food coloring for color. |
| Sensory Bags | Ziploc Bags, Hair Gel, Small Objects | Provides tactile stimulation and hand-eye coordination | Fill Ziploc bag with hair gel and small objects like beads or buttons. |
| Texture Balloons | Balloons, Rice, Flour, Sand, Beads, Feathers | Develops tactile awareness and sensory exploration | Fill balloon with desired material and tie off. |
| Sensory Bin | Plastic Tub, Rice, Water, Beans, Sand, Toys | Encourages imaginative play and sensory exploration | Fill tub with desired sensory material and add toys for play. |
1. Sensory Bottles
How to make a sensory bottle:
Gather your supplies. You’ll need a clear plastic bottle with a lid, liquid watercolors or color crystals (super-fine glitter also works well), and essential oils or fragrance oils of your choice. You can make these without the fragrances, but I find they help me relax when I’m stressed out, which is often.
Fill the bottle halfway with water; then add the desired amount of fragrance oil or essential oil until it’s full again.
Add in your color crystals/watercolors on top of that until it’s full again—it doesn’t matter how much goes in here because you can always shake up the bottle for more mixing later! Just don’t overfill it so that all those pretty colors go everywhere when you try shaking things up later on down the line (you’ll see what I mean later).
Looking for the perfect sensory toy for your toddler? Our guide on how to choose the right sensory toys for your child can help you make an informed decision and provide your little one with the best playtime experience possible.
2. Sticky Wall
A sticky wall is a simple sensory toy that makes use of a piece of contact paper. It can be made in any color or design, but we chose to make ours with the same pattern as our fall sensory bins.
To make one, cut a piece of contact paper wide enough to cover your choosing surface (we used a door frame) and hang it up at an angle for your child to play with!
If you’re using something other than a door frame, measure how long you want the rectangle and double that measurement; this is how long your contact paper should be too.
Then cut out two rectangles from this larger sheet of material so they fit exactly inside each end of the area where you’re hanging up your sticker (if it’s over an open space like ours). This was probably our favorite part because we got creative by adding leaves and acorns!
Now all that’s left is waiting until your child gets excited about playing with their new toy!
3. Magnetic Pasta
Magnetic pasta is a fun and easy activity to make with your kids.
You will need: dry spaghetti, paperclips, an iron, and some glue (optional).
Cut the paperclips into small pieces so they can fit on top of each strand of spaghetti.
Arrange the noodles on your ironing board (or other surface you want to use), then clip them onto the paperclips using a small amount of glue or double-sided tape if you’d like it more secure.
Then put something heavy over it like another plate and let it cool for about 15 minutes before attempting to lift it off because otherwise everything will fall apart!
Sensory play is an important part of a child’s development, and can help build gross motor skills. Our article on building gross motor skills through sensory play explores the benefits of sensory play and provides tips on how to incorporate it into your child’s playtime routine.
4. Pom Pom Match Up
Pom poms are a great sensory toy to have around the house, and they can be used in many different ways. You can use them to play games and learn colors and shapes, or you can even make your own pom poms out of fabric scraps!
5. Lego Fine Motor Skills Tray
Lego is a great way to help kids develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. There are also many Lego kits that focus on specific skills, such as building robots or bridges.
If you have a Lego enthusiast in your life, consider getting them a kit that allows them to build something new and try again when they inevitably mess up.
Lego Building Challenges
| Challenge | Description |
|---|---|
| One-handed building | Challenge your child to build with one hand to develop dexterity and hand strength. |
| Blind building | Cover your child’s eyes with a blindfold or scarf and challenge them to build without looking to develop tactile awareness and spatial reasoning. |
| Pattern building | Provide your child with a pattern to follow, such as a checkerboard or stripes, to help them develop visual-motor integration and attention to detail. |
Lego Pieces for Fine Motor Development
| Lego Piece | Fine Motor Skill Developed |
|---|---|
| Duplo blocks | Grasping and hand strength |
| Small Lego pieces | Dexterity and hand-eye coordination |
| Lego connectors | Finger isolation and manipulation |
| Lego gears | Hand-eye coordination and bilateral coordination |
| Lego baseplates | Spatial awareness and visual-motor integration |
6. Sensory Bags
- What you need:
- Stuffing (you can use cotton balls, feathers, pipe cleaners or anything that is light and fluffy)
- Scissors
- How to make them:
- Cut your fabric into strips about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long.
- Fold each strip into thirds so that when you open it up it will be a triangle shape with three layers of fabric!
- Put some stuffing at the top of one side of the triangle and tie a knot in it! Repeat this step on all sides of your sensory bag!
Put in more stuffing until it’s full but not too full so that it gives way when squeezed by little hands! Tie off the top with some twine or ribbon (you could even use colorful yarn). You’re finished! Now let’s put them in some goodie bags for holiday gifts!
| Types of Sensory Bags |
|---|
| Liquid Sensory Bags |
| Squishy Sensory Bags |
| Textured Sensory Bags |
| Visual Sensory Bags |
Grasping skills are an important developmental milestone for babies and toddlers. Our guide on sensory toys for developing grasping skills offers a range of toy options and activities to help your child improve their grasping abilities in a fun and engaging way.
7. Sand Playdough
To make sand playdough, you’ll need:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 cup salt
- 1 cup water (or less if your mixture is too wet)
Mix the ingredients together until they are combined. The mixture should be moldable but not sticky. If it is too dry, add more liquid until it becomes the right consistency. Add food coloring to give the sand playdough a fun color!
It’s best for children 3 years old and up because younger kids might put their fingers in their mouths after playing with this sensory toy.
8. Light Table Sensory Bin
A light table is a great way to play with light. It’s also known as an overhead projector and can be used to create shadow art, or even make your own paper fortune tellers.
Light tables are not all created equal; some have interchangeable lenses that you can use to change the focus of the projected image and others don’t, which means you’ll need a new tool each time you want to try something new.
If you’re interested in creating your own sensory bin for this activity, then we recommend using a large piece of white foam board so that it will reflect light very well (the brighter the better!).
You’ll also want some colored pencils or markers so that everyone can make their own designs on top of theirs by placing them on top of their name or initials. You may even want some fun stickers as well!
Interested in creating your own sensory toys at home? Our beginner’s guide on DIY sensory toys offers step-by-step tutorials and ideas to help you make affordable and fun toys for your child.
9. Cloud Dough
Cloud dough, also called flour dough or baby playdough, is a great way to engage your senses. This light, easy-to-make sensory material can be molded into multiple shapes and colors.
Cloud dough is made out of flour and water that’s it! You can use regular all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour depending on what you want to do with your cloud dough.
The best part about this tactile toy is that it can be used in so many ways! You could make small balls out of the cloud dough and toss them around like you would with traditional playdough toys; or you could mold little cookies out of it for pretend tea parties with toy tables and chairs from your kitchen (or even better: make them into real cookies!).
If you have older kids who are interested in baking breads themselves someday soon, then this is one way for them to practice kneading without having any messes left behind!
Cloud dough does not stick together easily at first but if you add too much water then it will become sticky very quickly; therefore when making this sensory material try adding just enough water so that everything sticks together without getting wet enough so that there won’t be any leftover stains once everything has dried up again later on down the road.”
10. Magnetic Fishing Game With Ice Cube Tray
This game is perfect for sensory seekers. The magnetic tray is great for holding the magnets and the ice cube trays are a fun way to add water (or sand, or whatever you like).
To make this game, you’ll need:
- magnetic trays (available at most craft stores)
- small magnets (available at hardware stores)
- ice cube trays and lids (or any other opaque container with a flat bottom)
11. Squishy Bags
Squishy bags are sensory toys that can be used for both adults and children. You’ll need:
- 4 or 5 plastic grocery bags, the bigger the better (try to avoid using any black bags)
- some uncooked rice, beans or lentils (1/2 cup should do)
- a pair of scissors
First, you will fold each bag in half lengthwise to create a long “pillowcase” shape. Then you’ll put your stuffing into the bottom half and start folding it over until it becomes as thick as possible without tearing.
Once that’s done, simply enjoy! Squishy bags can be used by adults and children alike; they provide tactile stimulation while calming anxiety during stressful situations such as doctor visits or dentist visits!
To store them after use just roll them up like a sleeping bag once again which will keep all the contents inside safely tucked away from potential spills on your flooring surfaces!
Sensory play is not only beneficial for a child’s development, but it can also be a fun and enjoyable experience for them. Our article on sensory toys as a fun way to improve fine motor skills explores the connection between sensory play and fine motor skills and provides ideas for toys and activities to try with your child.
12. Painting With Cars And Trucks!
This is a fun activity for any age. You can get your child to paint with cars and trucks, or you can join in on the fun as a family!
- First, use a large piece of paper and cover it with different colors of paint. Make sure to use enough so that there will be plenty for everyone to play with.
- Next, take out all sorts of cars and trucks that are currently sitting around the house (or buy some cheap ones at a garage sale).
- Now it’s time for some painting! Get creative! Let loose! You might even want to invite friends over too the more people who are involved in this project, the better (and crazier) things will get!
Top 5 Benefits of Sensory Play
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Development of Motor Skills | Sensory play can help develop both fine and gross motor skills as children engage with various textures and materials. |
| Cognitive Development | Sensory play promotes cognitive development by encouraging children to use problem-solving skills and creativity. |
| Emotional Regulation | Sensory play can be a calming and therapeutic outlet for children, helping them to regulate their emotions and relieve stress. |
| Language Development | Sensory play provides opportunities for children to engage in conversation and develop language skills as they describe their experiences. |
| Social Development | Sensory play encourages children to interact with others and develop social skills like sharing and taking turns. |
Conclusion
I hope this post gave you some great ideas and inspiration for your own DIY sensory toys! As with all crafts, it’s best to start small and scale up as needed.
For example, if you don’t have time or supplies to make a huge sand playdough tableau today that’s ok! Just try one of these simpler ideas like painting cars or playing with pom poms.
Further Reading
Homemade Baby Toys: 5 Easy Ideas for Your Little One – This article provides five simple and easy DIY ideas for homemade baby toys that you can create with items you already have at home.
DIY Sensory Toys on Pinterest – This Pinterest board offers a wide range of DIY sensory toy ideas and inspiration from various sources.
DIY Sensory Toys: How to Make Your Own on Moms and Crafters – This article provides step-by-step instructions for making a variety of DIY sensory toys, as well as information on the benefits of sensory play for children.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys that engage a child’s senses, such as touch, sound, sight, or smell. They are designed to provide stimulation and encourage exploration, as well as promote development in areas such as motor skills, cognitive skills, and emotional regulation.
What are some common types of sensory toys?
Some common types of sensory toys include playdough, textured balls, sensory bins, water toys, musical toys, and tactile books.
How can sensory toys benefit a child’s development?
Sensory toys can benefit a child’s development by promoting the development of motor skills, cognitive skills, and emotional regulation. They can also help improve focus and attention, and provide a calming and therapeutic outlet for children.
Can I make my own sensory toys at home?
Yes, you can make your own sensory toys at home using materials such as household items, craft supplies, and sensory-friendly materials like sand or playdough. Making your own sensory toys can be a fun and affordable way to provide your child with stimulating playtime experiences.
How do I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys for your child, consider their age, interests, and developmental needs. Look for toys that offer a variety of textures, colors, and sounds, and that are safe and appropriate for your child’s age and abilities.
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.
