Are you looking for creative and affordable ways to keep your children engaged and entertained?
DIY sensory toys are a great option, providing endless fun while also promoting sensory development.
Sensory toys are designed to stimulate the senses, including touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste.
While store-bought sensory toys can be expensive, making your own at home is a budget-friendly option that also allows you to customize the toys to fit your child’s specific needs and interests.
Let’s explore different DIY sensory toy options that are easy to make and will provide hours of entertainment for your little ones.
From sensory bottles to sensory bags, we’ve got you covered with fun and simple ideas that will not only keep your child occupied but will also promote their cognitive and motor skills development!
Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this post are affiliate links and if you click on them to make a purchase I will earn a commission. Keep in mind that I link these companies and their products because of their quality and not because of the commission I receive from your purchases. The decision is yours, and whether or not you decide to buy something is completely up to you.
Benefits of Sensory Play for Children
Sensory play is a crucial aspect of childhood development. Sensory toys play an essential role in promoting the development of a child’s senses, including touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste.
Engaging in sensory play encourages children to explore, experiment, and learn about the world around them.
It helps them develop their cognitive, motor, and social skills, which are essential for their overall development.
Sensory play provides children with an opportunity to learn and develop through play.
It encourages them to use their imagination, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
It also helps them develop their hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills.
Sensory play can also be calming for children and can help reduce stress and anxiety.
DIY Sensory Toys vs Store-Bought Options
Store-bought sensory toys can be expensive, and they may not always meet the specific needs of your child.
Making your own sensory toys at home can be a budget-friendly option and allows you to customize the toys to suit your child’s specific needs and interests.
DIY sensory toys are also a great way to encourage creativity and imagination in your child.
DIY sensory toys can be made from a variety of materials, including everyday household items.
You can make sensory toys using items such as rice, beans, sand, water, and even playdough.
By using these materials, you can create textures and sensations that will stimulate your child’s senses and provide them with hours of fun and entertainment.
Materials Needed for Creating Sensory Toys
Creating your own sensory toys at home is easy and can be done using everyday household items.
Here are some of the materials you will need:
– Containers (e.g., plastic bottles, Ziplock bags, jars)
– Rice, beans, sand, or water
– Glitter, beads, or sequins
– Playdough
– Colored tape
– Feathers, pom-poms, or cotton balls
– Scissors
– Funnel
– Balloons
– Pipe cleaners
With these materials, you can create a wide range of sensory toys that will provide your child with hours of entertainment and promote their sensory development.
Related Articles: Ideas For Messy Play For Kids To Learn And Explore
A Complete Guide To Slime Textures
Best Products For Deep Pressure Stimulation
Easy DIY Sensory Toys for Babies
Babies are naturally curious and love exploring the world around them!
Sensory toys are a great way to encourage their curiosity and promote their sensory development.
Here are some easy DIY sensory toys that are perfect for babies:
Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are a great option for babies as they are easy to hold and provide a visual and auditory sensory experience.
To make a sensory bottle, you will need an empty plastic bottle, water, glitter, and food coloring.
Fill the bottle with water, add some glitter and food coloring, and seal the lid tightly.
You can also add small toys or beads to the bottle for added sensory stimulation.
Sensory Bags
Sensory bags are another easy DIY sensory toy that babies will love. To make a sensory bag, you will need a ziplock bag, hair gel, and food coloring.
Simply fill the ziplock bag with hair gel, add some food coloring, and seal the bag tightly. You can also add small toys or beads to the bag for added sensory stimulation.
Sensory Blocks
Sensory blocks are a great way to promote your baby’s sensory development and hand-eye coordination.
To make sensory blocks, you will need wooden blocks, colored tape, and different textures such as feathers, pom-poms, or cotton balls.
Wrap the blocks in colored tape and attach the different textures to each block using glue or double-sided tape.
DIY Sensory Toys for Toddlers
Toddlers are full of energy and love to explore their environment.
Sensory toys are a great way to channel their energy and promote their sensory development.
Here are some easy DIY sensory toys that are perfect for toddlers:
Sensory Bags with Letters
Sensory bags with letters are a great way to promote your toddler’s cognitive development and letter recognition skills.
To make a sensory bag with letters, you will need a ziplock bag, hair gel, food coloring, and foam letters.
Simply fill the ziplock bag with hair gel, add some food coloring, and seal the bag tightly.
Add the foam letters to the bag and let your toddler explore and play with the letters.
Sensory Bin with Rice and Toys
Sensory bins are a great way to promote your toddler’s sensory development and encourage imaginative play.
To make a sensory bin, you will need a plastic container, rice, and small toys. Fill the container with rice and add the small toys to the rice.
You can also add scoops, spoons, and cups for added sensory stimulation.
Sensory Balloons
Sensory balloons are a great way to promote your toddler’s hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
To make sensory balloons, you will need balloons, rice, and a funnel.
Then fill the balloon with rice using the funnel, tie the balloon, and let your toddler play with the balloon.
Related Articles: 7 Best Sensory Swings For Special Needs Kids
8 No Fuss Sensory Kits For Kids
13 Enjoyable Simple Fine Motor Activities
DIY Sensory Toys for Preschoolers
Preschoolers are curious and love to learn and explore new things.
Sensory toys are a great way to promote their cognitive, motor, and social skills development.
Here are some easy DIY sensory toys that are perfect for preschoolers:
Sensory Playdough
Sensory playdough is a great way to promote your preschooler’s creativity and imagination.
To make sensory playdough, you will need flour, salt, cream of tartar, water, and food coloring.
Mix the ingredients together and knead the dough until it is smooth.
You can also add scents such as vanilla or peppermint extract for added sensory stimulation.
Sensory Bag with Water Beads
Sensory bags with water beads are a great way to promote your preschooler’s sensory development and encourage imaginative play.
To make a sensory bag with water beads, you will need a ziplock bag, water beads, and water.
Add the water beads to the ziplock bag, add water, and seal the bag tightly.
You can also add small toys or beads to the bag for added sensory stimulation.
Sensory Bin with Kinetic Sand
Sensory bins with kinetic sand are a great way to promote your preschooler’s sensory development and encourage imaginative play.
To make a sensory bin with kinetic sand, you will need a plastic container and kinetic sand.
Fill the container with kinetic sand and let your preschooler explore and play with the sand.
You can also add small toys or beads to the sand for added sensory stimulation.
Sensory Play Activities for Kids with Special Needs
Sensory play activities are also beneficial for children with special needs.
Sensory toys can help children with special needs develop their sensory processing skills, improve their motor skills, and reduce anxiety and stress.
Here are some sensory play activities that are suitable for children with special needs:
– Sensory bins with different textures such as sand, rice, or beans
– Sensory bottles with glitter, beads, or sequins
– Sensory bags with water, hair gel, or shaving cream
– Playdough with different scents, such as lavender or peppermint
– Sensory balloons with different textures or colors
Safety Tips for Creating and Using Sensory Toys
When creating and using sensory toys, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
– Always supervise your child when playing with sensory toys
– Make sure the toys are age-appropriate and safe for your child
– Avoid small parts that could be a choking hazard
– Use non-toxic materials when creating sensory toys
– Always store sensory toys in a safe place away from young children
Final Thoughts
DIY sensory toys are a great way to promote your child’s sensory development while also providing them with hours of entertainment.
By using everyday household items, you can create a wide range of sensory toys that will stimulate your child’s senses and promote their cognitive, motor, and social skills development.
Whether you’re making sensory bottles, sensory bags, or sensory bins, these easy DIY sensory toys are sure to be a hit with your little ones!