Sensory play is essential for a child’s development, helping them explore, learn, and understand the world around them. It stimulates their senses, improves fine motor skills, and fosters creativity. While sensory play activities can be expensive, there are plenty of creative and budget-friendly options you can try at home.
Here are some DIY sensory play ideas for your little ones:
Homemade Playdough
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, food colouring.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients. Add the water and oil to the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined.
- Add the food colouring. Add a few drops of food colouring to the dough. Stir until the colour is evenly distributed.
- Knead the dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Store the dough. Store the dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Tips:
- For a softer dough, add an extra tablespoon of water.
- For a firmer dough, add an extra tablespoon of flour.
- To make the dough more colourful, add more food colouring.
- To make the dough scented, add a few drops of essential oil.
- To make the dough glow in the dark, add a pinch of glow-in-the-dark paint.
Enjoy your homemade playdough!
Rice Sensory Bin
Materials: A container, cooked rice (white or brown), small toys or objects.
Instructions:
- Prepare the container: Choose a container that is large enough for your child to play in comfortably without feeling overwhelmed.
- Add the rice: Pour the cooked rice into the container. The amount of rice you use will depend on the size of the container and the amount of space you want your child to have to play.
- Hide the toys: Gently bury the small toys or objects in the rice. Make sure they are not buried too deep so your child can easily find them.
- Let your child explore: Encourage your child to dig through the rice, find the hidden toys, and play with them. You can also join in the fun and create your own hidden treasures for your child to discover.
Tips:
- Choose the right rice: Brown rice is often a better choice for sensory play because it is a bit rougher and provides more texture than white rice. However, you can use either type of rice.
- Add more fun: You can make the rice sensory bin even more interesting by adding a few drops of food colouring or scented oil.
- Clean up easily: To clean up, simply pour the rice back into the container and store it for later. You can wash the container and toys with soapy water.
Shaving Cream Sensory Play
Materials: A container, shaving cream, food colouring, small toys or objects.
Instructions:
- Fill the container: Fill the container with a layer of shaving cream. You can add as much or as little as you like, depending on the desired depth.
- Add colour: Squirt a few drops of food colouring into the shaving cream. Use different colours to create a vibrant and colourful sensory experience.
- Hide the toys: Gently press small toys or objects into the shaving cream. Make sure they are not buried too deep so your child can easily find them.
- Let your child explore: Encourage your child to dig through the shaving cream, find the hidden toys, and play with them. They can also squish, squeeze, and shape the shaving cream.
Tips:
- Use unscented shaving cream: To avoid any irritation, it's best to use unscented shaving cream.
- Consider the mess: Shaving cream can be a bit messy, so you may want to play outside or on a protected surface.
- Clean up easily: To clean up, simply wipe away the shaving cream with a damp cloth or sponge. You can wash the container and toys with soapy water.
Water Sensory Play
Materials: A container, water, cups, spoons, or other water play toys.
Instructions:
- Fill the container: Fill the container with a shallow amount of water. The depth should be appropriate for your child's age and comfort level.
- Provide toys: Place the cups, spoons, and other water play toys near the container. Encourage your child to explore the toys and experiment with the water.
- Let your child play: Allow your child to pour water from one container to another, splash around, and create their own water play scenarios.
- Add more fun: You can make water play even more enjoyable by adding bubbles, food colouring, or ice cubes.
Tips:
- Supervise closely: Always supervise your child closely when they are playing with water.
- Choose a safe location: Play in a safe area, such as a backyard or bathroom.
- Consider the weather: If it's cold outside, you can play water sensory play indoors using a smaller container.
- Clean up easily: After playtime, drain the water and clean the container and toys.
Homemade Cloud Dough
Ingredients: 1 cup corn-starch, 1/2 cup baby oil.
Instructions:
- Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, pour the corn-starch and baby oil.
- Mix thoroughly: Use your hands to mix the corn-starch and baby oil until the mixture forms a crumbly texture.
- Knead the dough: Continue kneading the mixture until it forms a soft, pliable dough. The dough should feel similar to wet sand.
- Play and enjoy: Once the dough is ready, you can shape it, mould it, or simply play with it. It's a great sensory activity for children of all ages.
Tips:
- Adjust the consistency: If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon of baby oil at a time. If it's too wet, add a tablespoon of corn-starch.
- Store properly: Store the cloud dough in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Add colour or scent: For added fun, you can mix in a few drops of food colouring or essential oil.
- Clean up easily: Cloud dough is relatively easy to clean up. Simply wipe it away with a damp cloth or sponge.
Sensory Bags
Materials: Zip-top bags, water, food colouring, glitter, or other materials.
Instructions:
- Fill the bags: Fill the zip-top bags with your desired materials. You can create different sensory experiences by combining different elements. For example, you could fill a bag with water and food colouring, or water and glitter.
- Seal the bags: Seal the bags tightly to prevent any leaks.
- Let your child explore: Give the sensory bags to your child and let them explore the contents. They can squeeze, shake, and manipulate the bags to experience different sensations.
Tips:
- Choose age-appropriate materials: If you're using small objects, make sure they are age-appropriate and safe for your child.
- Consider the mess: Sensory bags can be messy, so it's best to play in a protected area.
- Clean up easily: After playtime, simply throw away the sensory bags.
Edible Sensory Play
Materials: Yogurt, pudding, oatmeal, or other edible materials.
Instructions:
- Choose your materials: Select edible materials that are safe and appropriate for your child's age.
- Place in a container: Place the materials in a container that is easy for your child to explore.
- Let your child play: Encourage your child to touch, feel, and taste the materials. They can use their hands, spoons, or other utensils to explore.
Tips:
- Supervise closely: Always supervise your child during sensory play activities to ensure their safety.
- Consider allergies: If your child has any allergies, be sure to choose materials that are safe for them.
- Make it fun: Add toys, tools, or other objects to make the sensory play experience even more enjoyable.
Remember to supervise your child during sensory play activities and adjust the activities to suit their age and interests. With a little creativity, you can create countless sensory play experiences at home without breaking the bank.
Discover the perfect sensory toys for your little one. Browse our carefully chosen selection.