Fidget balls are easy to make with just a balloon and some sand, beans, or rice!
Last week, we talked about the best therapy toys you can buy. This week, we’re going to put our focus on the best therapy toys you can make! DIY sensory toys are inexpensive and easy to make, which can be a big help for many families. Here are a few of our favorite DIY sensory toys with instructions on how to make them.
Sensory Table
A sensory table is a great aid to sensory play and is easy to make at home! All you need is a small child’s table, a plastic bin with a lid, and sensory materials. Cut out a hole in the tabletop that is just big enough to fit the bin. Secure the bin into the hole in the table and fill it with sensory materials for your child to play with, like rice, flour, or beans. When not in use, you can close the lid over the bin. Having the bin secured by the table is a great way to keep it from spilling over when your child is playing.
Fidget Balls
Fidget balls are super simple DIY sensory toys! Simply fill a balloon with sand, rice, beans, pebbles, play-doh, you name it! Or, you can cut up a pool noodle to make several small, circular fidgets that are fun to squeeze.
Balance Board
This is a project for someone who has tools for cutting and shaping wood. If you are equipped to cut wood, then this is a relatively simple project. A balance board consists of three pieces: two rockers and one platform. The rockers are attached on opposite sides of a small platform piece. Voila! You have a balance board that is great fun for children to use outside or on carpeted areas to exercise their proprioceptive and vestibular systems. Checkout this blog post for more detailed instructions on how to make a balance board.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center is a top therapy center serving families of children and adolescents with disabilities. Our team consists of the leading experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavior sciences. We offer intensive, hands-on therapy for children and adolescents as well as resources for families. We are real therapists helping real families with real issues. If you are concerned about your child’s behavior, take a moment to fill out our quick questionnaire. If you’d like to schedule an appointment, call 202-561-1110 (Washington, D.C. office) or 301-577-4333 (Lanham office) or contact us via our website. Want to keep up with our latest news and blog posts? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.