We all want our kids to be happy, engaged and learning. And yet, it can be hard to find the time and energy to do so myself.
But I’ve learned that there are many easy ways to make sure my daughter has plenty of sensory playtime at home and they don’t have to cost a lot of money! In fact, you probably already have many of the materials you need on hand right now.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| DIY sensory toys can be affordable and easy to make at home. |
| Sensory play has numerous benefits for children’s development. |
| Sensory play can be adapted to meet a child’s individual needs and preferences. |
| When making DIY sensory toys, it’s important to consider safety and age-appropriateness. |
| Sensory play can be a fun and engaging way to spend time with your child. |
Word Search
Word searches are a simple and fun way to practice vocabulary and improve reading skills. You can make your own word search with any theme by printing out a grid of letters, cutting it up, and then piecing them back together into words.
Here’s how:
Print out a grid of letters or numbers on paper or cardstock (you can find printable grids online). Cut the paper apart so that you have one piece for each letter or number in the grid.
For example, if you’re making an alphabet puzzle, cut all 26 letters into separate pieces so that no two letters are stuck together (for example “A” should not be attached to “B”). Do this for each line on the page until everything is separated into individual pieces of paper. Make sure to keep track of which letter goes where!
Now use those pieces to spell out words—but don’t worry about making sense yet! Instead just jumble them around until they form coherent sentences when placed next to each other in order; there may be some missing vowels or consonants but don’t worry about these now either since we’ll fix those later on during our final editing step using some glue stick adhesive dots from Amazon Prime Pantry (or whatever brand works best).
If you want to enhance your toddler’s learning and development through sensory play, check out our guide on sensory play for toddlers. It provides helpful tips and information on how to incorporate sensory play into your child’s daily routine
Sensory Boxes
What is a sensory box?
A sensory box is usually composed of a cardboard box with an assortment of materials in it. The materials can include things like dry beans, straws, paper clips and pipe cleaners. These items are not meant to be eaten or ingested by children under any circumstance.
A variety of different textures and smells are also included so that children can explore their senses while playing with the boxes in a safe environment.
The basic design for making your own sensory boxes includes:
- A sturdy-sided cardboard box (like you might use at the grocery store)
- Several different kinds of colored tissue paper
- Glue sticks
- Waterproof marker
How long should I keep my sensory box out?
It depends on how many kids you have participating in the activity and how much time they have to play with it before other activities need to happen!
For some families we recommend keeping them out for up to 2 hours between each use; others prefer shorter periods like 30 minutes or less per day until everyone has had their turn enjoying the activity.”
Are you looking for sensory toys to add to your toddler’s toy box? Our article on 15 sensory toys every toddler should have provides a comprehensive list of toys that can help enhance your toddler’s sensory development.
Clothesline
To create this sensory toy, you will need a clothesline. You can usually find them in the laundry section of your local grocery store or discount store.
If you don’t have one, ask around your neighborhood and someone is bound to have one they are willing to part with. To make this work best for hanging toys, choose a line that is tall enough that it doesn’t touch the ground when it hangs straight down.
Attach clothespins or wooden clothespins onto the line by threading them through holes in each end of the cord so that they stay attached when you hang it up.
Hang different types of toys from the cord – ribbon works well because it holds its shape nicely while hanging down but also allows itself to be pulled apart easily so babies can get at those little pieces!
Recommended Sensory Toys for Different Age Groups
| Age Group | Recommended Sensory Toys |
|---|---|
| Infants | Soft fabric books, textured balls, sensory mats, and rattles. |
| Toddlers | Sensory bins, shape sorters, water tables, and musical toys. |
| Preschoolers | Kinetic sand, playdough, building blocks, and painting supplies. |
| School-age Children | Fidget toys, stress balls, art supplies, and sensory swings. |
Adhesive Tiles
Adhesive tiles are a fun and easy way to make a sensory play station that can be used over and over again. It’s also super cheap! You’ll need the following materials:
- Box of adhesive tile squares (we bought ours at Home Depot)
- Plastic container or tray for storage (we picked up an old container from Goodwill)
- Soft cloth for cleaning (We cut up an old beach towel).
To make your own Adhesive Tile Board, first lay out your box of adhesive squares on a flat surface. Then pick out four or five different colors you want in your board and start sticking them down!
Lay them out however you like you can even create designs with the shapes if you want. Once all of your tiles are stuck down, cover with a soft cloth and store away until playtime!
Choosing the right sensory toys for your child can be overwhelming. Our article on sensory toys for toddlers: how to choose the right ones provides a guide on what to look for and factors to consider when choosing sensory toys for your child’s development.
Music Makers
You can make a simple drum using an empty food container, some spoons and sticks.
Start by cutting the bottom off of your empty food container (and if you have a lid, that too). If you want to save money on glue, use hot glue to secure the top back on. You might think this is cheating but hey, when it comes to saving money it’s important!
Next take 2 or 3 long wooden spoons and cut them in half. Place those inside of your drum with the rounded side facing down so that when someone hits it with their hand or foot it will make noise.
The last step is optional but I totally recommend it: add stickers or paint over all sides of your drum! This will give you more options when playing music together!
Color Matching Alphabet and Numbers
This is an activity that’s easy to make and will have your kids playing with it for hours. It can be used for counting, sorting and color matching activities.
For this sensory toy, you need:
- Yarn or thread in a variety of colors
- Small items like beads, buttons or sequins that you want your child to match the colors with (the beads shown in the photo are wooden alphabet beads) You could also use beans or waffle balls instead of beads if you prefer!
To make it: String the yarn through each bead so they all hang at one end of the string. Tie an overhand knot at the bottom end of each string so each piece is secure on its own but can still easily be removed from its place when needed. Alternatively, you could use twist ties rather than knots if that’s more convenient for you!
Looking for DIY sensory toy ideas for kids? Our article on DIY sensory toy ideas provides easy and fun ideas to make your own sensory toys at home, using affordable materials.”
DIY Puzzles
Puzzles are not just for kids. If you’re looking for a puzzle that will challenge your loved one, try the “A Christmas Carol” puzzle from Dover Publications. This jigsaw puzzle is made with multiple pieces and will keep them busy for hours!
Materials needed:
- The book “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens
- An old box or tin can to hold your puzzles (make sure it’s large enough to accommodate all of your pieces)
Shape Beads
Shape beads are a great option for kids who want to play with sensory toys without breaking the bank. Shape beads can be used for sorting and patterning activities, as well as counting and number recognition, color recognition, fine motor skills and language development.
Shape bead mats are a cheap way to introduce your child to groupings of different shapes (triangles, circles, squares).
You can make these at home by cutting out different shapes from cardboard or foam board then gluing them down in a large grid on a piece of cloth or plastic tablecloth. Your child will love sorting the beads into groups according to shape!
You could also make play mats using carpet squares instead of fabric if you don’t have any spare materials lying around just mark out where each shape goes before gluing them down so they stay put!
Shape bead puzzles are another fun way for kids to practice matching up similar-shaped objects (or looking at all three together). You could even try making your own using construction paper and glue sticks in whatever combinations appeal to your little one most!
Sticky Wall
Sticky wall is a great sensory activity for kids! You can use it to learn letters and numbers, colors or shapes. To make a sticky wall, you just need contact paper. Make sure to put something on the floor as well to protect it from getting dirty.
Then get some stickers with letters, numbers or shapes on them and stick them on the sticky part of the contact paper. Let your kid go crazy with this fun activity!
It’s easy to clean up too: just peel off all the stickers!
Sensory play doesn’t have to be expensive. Our article on sensory play on a budget: DIY sensory toy ideas provides a variety of DIY sensory toy ideas that are affordable and easy to make at home.
Cloud Dough
Cloud dough is a sensory dough that is perfect for play with children. It is soft and easy to mold, it’s easy to clean up, and it’s inexpensive to make. Cloud dough can be stored in the freezer or refrigerator when not in use.
Cloud dough is made from flour, corn starch and baby oil (or vegetable oil) mixed together until everything is thoroughly combined into a ball of dough. You can also add food coloring for fun colors!
DIY Sandpaper Letters for Tactile Activities
Sandpaper letters are a fun way for kids to learn about letter recognition and practice writing the alphabet. They can also be used to teach colors, numbers and math.
Sandpaper letters are cheap and easy to make at home. To make your own sandpaper letters, simply trace words in pencil onto a piece of sandpaper, cut out the word shapes with an exacto knife or scissors, then mount the pieces onto card stock using glue dots or double-sided tape.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many DIY activities that you can do with your kids. Some of them require some materials like glue, paint, and water while others may need only paper and scissors.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources for learning more about DIY sensory toys and sensory play:
Pinterest: DIY Sensory Toys: This Pinterest board provides a variety of ideas and inspiration for making your own sensory toys at home.
Pinterest: Sensory Play Ideas: This Pinterest board includes a collection of sensory play ideas and activities for children of all ages.
The Empowered Educator Online: Easy Sensory Play Toys: This blog post offers step-by-step instructions and ideas for making simple, inexpensive sensory play toys.
FAQs
What are sensory toys?
Sensory toys are toys designed to stimulate one or more of the senses, such as touch, sight, sound, smell, or taste. They are often used to help children develop and improve their sensory processing skills.
What are the benefits of sensory play?
Sensory play can help children develop a variety of skills, including fine motor skills, gross motor skills, language skills, social skills, and cognitive skills. It can also help children regulate their emotions and reduce stress and anxiety.
What materials can I use to make DIY sensory toys?
You can use a variety of materials to make DIY sensory toys, including household items like rice, beans, and water beads, as well as craft materials like pom-poms, felt, and pipe cleaners.
How can I choose the right sensory toys for my child?
When choosing sensory toys for your child, consider their age, developmental level, and sensory preferences. It’s also important to choose toys that are safe and age-appropriate.
How can I incorporate sensory play into my child’s daily routine?
You can incorporate sensory play into your child’s daily routine by setting aside time each day for sensory activities, such as playing with sensory bins, exploring different textures, or engaging in messy play. You can also incorporate sensory elements into other activities, such as reading or outdoor play.
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.
