Sensory Toys to Make at Home - Part 1

You don't need expensive, mass produced toys to enjoy play time at home with your little ones, or to provide great stimulation for their senses. Here are some ideas for easy and inexpensive toys that your baby or young toddler will love.

Visually Stimulating Toys.

Lava Lamp Bottles.
You will need:
- a small clear plastic bottle with a screw top lid
- some water
-oil (normal cooking oil is fine)
- food colouring
- glitter (optional)
- tape

How to make it:
Fill the bottle about two thirds full with water.
Add a few drops of food colouring (you can make several and use different colours for each).
Pour oil into the bottle leaving a small amount of space at the top.
Add glitter if you would like to for extra effect.
Put the lid on the bottle making sure it is well sealed. Put tape round the top for added security. Electrical tape works well.

How to use it:
Slowly turn the bottle upside down, then the right way up again.
Continue to move the bottle in different directions, you could also roll it along the floor. Bubbles of oil, and glitter if you have used any, will move about the bottle creating different shapes and patterns for your baby to watch. Older babies and toddlers will be able to move and shake the bottle themselves - an introduction to cause and effect.


Ribbon Sticks
You will need:
A short length of dowling or similar stick
Some lengths of narrow ribbon in different colours
Tape (optional)

How to make it:
Secure one end of each length of ribbon to the stick, leaving a space between each one. They can be tied on or stuck on with tape, but should be secure enough that they cannot easily be removed by your child.

How to use it:
Hold the stick and let the ribbons hang down for your baby or toddler to look at and touch.
For younger babies you can move the stick slowly from one side of their face to the other, they will soon follow it with their eyes, and by moving their head to see it - a skill called tracking, which is important for visual development.
Talk about the different colours of ribbon as your child reaches for them, and eventually you can ask them to find a particular colour for you.


You will, no doubt, be able to come up with lots more ideas on how to use and play with these objects. Giving them to your child and letting them decide what to do next is a great way to boost their ability to think creatively - and you may be surprised what they come up with.

Enjoy playing with these toys and many more at Discovery Tots and Social Tots classes.
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Have a great time playing with your little ones!