DIY Sensory Play

There are many items you can make that will help meet your child's sensory needs.

You could make  Sensory Boards or Sensory Fences  following my instructions in some previous posts.  You can also make your own Sensory Table, Sound Tubes, Light Box toys etc.  Here are some ideas to get you started

DIY Sensory Table

• 1 Ikea RAST Bedside table (currently 14.99).
• 1 Clear Plastic tub with clear lid (I got one for $10 from the Reject Shop and you want one without wheels) 
• Self adhesive Velcro (had that but you)
• (optional) 2 Kmart Dog "door stops"

Put the RAST table together as per instructions, turn it upside down.  Stick on enough Velcro to hold on the plastic tub (I did a rectangle). Attach the other side of the Velcro to the Velcro you just stuck down, remove the sticky tape like backing then place the tub on top and press down so the sticky tape side of the Velcro sticks to the tub.  Leave for 24 hours before you try and remove the tub (so it adherers properly. Now if you are worried your child will pull it over, place some door stops on the shelf.  Also if you are super tircky you could buy caster wheels from a hardware shop and attach them to your bottom shelf.

Now if you want to use it as a light table, put your lid on and buy a  battery operated light box  from Kmart (currently $19.00 and found in their home decorator section).  

Now what to use to play on it? Squishy bags and sound blocks

Squishy bags

A4 laminate pouches, filled with cheap hair gel, food colouring and things like sequins or glitter.  Use things that will attract your child's attention but make sure it isn't sharp. To seal them you use a dry iron (on the hottest heat) or a hair straightener around the edges.  I like to double bag mine by sealing one, then cut it smaller. Place it inside another one and seal that.  Just to have added protection.  They are fun to press and move the "filling" around.  The photo just does not do it justice.

Sound Blocks

• Small plastic craft jars (cheap shops usually have 4 packs for $2 to $3).
• Sequins, beads, glitter.
• Food colouring
• Water
• Glue (non toxic)

Fill the jars with whatever tickles your fancy (just mix up the colours you use, how much water and the amount of filling so they each provide a different experience), add water and a couple of drops of food colouring (don't add too much).  Seal it up tight and when dry glue around the seal.

You can also look for see through items like spinning tops, beads, toys etc.

You can make your own Sound tubes too...............Admittedly they are not super long like the special ones you buy but they certainly do the trick.

Sound tubes:

• Selection of plastic Baby bottles (or other see through plastic bottles you might have)
• Selection of objects such as rice, bells, sequins, beads, little balls, fluffy balls, dice, little chains etc.  Just a selection of things (light, heavy, quiet, bright etc) 
• Glue (non toxic)

Fill the bottles and seal.

Happy Creating!!