3 Sensory Crafts You Can Make With Your Kids
Looking for a fun way to bond with your little ones while engaging their mind and curious hands? Sensory crafts are the perfect solution! These hands-on activities are great for sparking creativity and learning in a playful manner. Here are three exciting sensory crafts you can make with your kids.
Contents
Funky, Fantastic Slime
Slime is a favorite among kids of all ages. This gooey, stretchy substance is endlessly entertaining and super easy to make in your kitchen.
What You Need:
- 1/2 cup of white glue
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 tablespoons contact lens solution
- Mix-ins like mica powder, glitter, and beads
Instructions:
First, mix the glue and water in a bowl until fully combined. Then, if you’re using it, add pigment to your slime to make it look truly funky and fantastic. Once you have a colorful base, stir in the baking soda. Next, slowly add the contact lens solution, mixing as you go. The slime will start to form almost immediately.
Once you achieve a more congealed consistency, you can start kneading the slime with your hands. Your last step, if you wish, is to add glitter and any other tactile add-ins like beads.
Themed Sensory Buckets
Sensory buckets are a wonderful and versatile tool to engage your child’s sense of touch, sight, and smell. Though you can make a sensory bucket by filling it with almost anything your child can explore with her hands, themed buckets add an extra layer of excitement and learning.
What You Need:
- Large container or tub
- Base materials: rice, beans, sand, or shredded paper
- Themed items: toy animals, small cars, seashells, or seasonal items
- Scoops, spoons, or small containers for pouring and sorting
Instructions:
First, choose a theme for your bucket. It could be anything from a beach scene to a dinosaur park. You can also check out our book-themed sensory bins for inspiration. Once you have your theme, fill a large container with your base material. Then, add your themed items, making sure they are safe and appropriate for your child’s age. Finally, plop in some scoops, spoons, and small containers for your child to explore and play.
A Peaceful Rain Stick
Rain sticks offer a soothing sound experience that even you will enjoy hearing around the house. Plus, they’re a breeze to create!
What You Need:
- A sturdy cardboard tube (like a paper towel roll)
- Aluminum foil
- Rice, beans, or small pasta
- Construction paper
- Glue and tape
- Markers, stickers, or paint for decorating
Instructions:
In this project, decorating comes first. Have your kid design the cardboard tube with paint, markers, or stickers. After the tube is colored and ready for assembly, roll a piece of aluminum foil into a spiral and insert it inside. This will help create the rain-like sound. Next, seal one end of the tube with construction paper and tape it securely. Through the open end, pour in rice, beans, or small pasta. Once everything is inside, seal the other end of the tube with construction paper and tape. Your child can now tilt the rain stick back and forth to hear the calming sounds of a gentle rainstorm!
These sensory crafts you can make with your kids are easy, quick, and thoroughly entertaining. Which are you most excited to try?