With rainy weather under way, it can be tough keeping the kids happily busy indoors. Here are some fabulous sensory activities to try right now. These crafts are great for building OT motor skills and for sensory stimulation…not to mention, they’re just plain fun!
1. Sensory Rings
Activities that involve push, pull and squeeze action often help children with sensory modulation disorders to focus. “Sensory rings” provide the push, pull and squeeze motions that help develop motor planning skills and body awareness. These are made by stuffing socks with supermarket plastic bags and stitching the ends closed. Use colorful and/or patterned socks to increase visual input. Children develop bilateral coordination while placing small rings over stacks, since this is difficult to do with only one hand. When small sensory rings are placed on a child’s leg or arm, he receives heavy tactile pressure, and sequencing the steps to remove them is similar to those used to undress.
2. Fruit Loops Rainbow Craft
All you need are Fruit Loops and glue, and your kids can make their own rainbow. This fruit loop rainbow craft is a fantastic way for your children to practice their fine motor skills as well as sorting items by color.
3. Sensory Bubble Foam
This is the cleanest activity you’ll ever make, and can be whipped up with just three ingredients and a hand mixer. Tear free bubble bath, water, and food coloring. Mixing two parts water to one part bubble bath with a fork, separate a few bowls and add a drop or two of coloring in each. Then whip it up with a hand mixer, the way you would a batch of egg whites! You’re going to want to use a big bowl for the mixing, believe us. Once the Bubble Foam is big and fluffy, stiff peaks and all, transfer it to a large container on the floor, and get started on the next batch! Toddlers and kids can use bath and sand toys to play with the colorful mixture for a wonderful sensory experience.
Kid Clan’s highly skilled Occupational Therapists assess and treat the following areas of development:
- fine motor dexterity, the way your child is able to use his/her hands
- eye-hand coordination
- balance and coordination
- ability to complete self-care tasks like bathing, toileting, and tooth-brushing
- sensory needs, like touching messy things, eating a variety of foods, exhibiting the ability to pay attention and keep hands to self
- play and social interaction skills
Our OTs take pride in the ability to sense the need of the whole child, taking into account strengths, developmental needs, and environmental implications.
