In our new book, Sensory Processing Explained, we dedicated an entire section to parents and providing tools and activity suggestions for the home. I wanted to share some of my favourite DIY sensory tools and activities that can be used at home. Sensory tools can be expensive. Making your own is a cost effective solution and often, the quality is even better.
By putting together your own sensory tools and creating sensory activities at home, you will save money and be able to provide your child with the sensory input they need. Adult supervision should be used with all sensory activities.
DIY Sensory Solutions for Kids’ Rooms:
DIY Weighted Banket Tutorial – This is one of the best weighted blanket tutorials I’ve found.
Homemade Stretchy Sensory Sheets – Some kids find that the weigh of a weighted blanket is too much but that a stretchy sheet provides just the right amount of resistance.
Make Your Own Tag Blanket Tutorial – For kids who need sensory feedback but not something weighted.
For Sensory Room or Sensory Space at Home:
Make your own Ball Pit using a plastic kiddie pool and pit balls or sliced up pool noodles.
Sensory Play:
Make Your Own Lavender Scented Bubbles
Create your own weighted stuffed animal by cutting open an old stuffy and adding some nuts and bolts or weighted polly pellets. Add weight in the middle and in the feet of the stuffed animal and stitch it back up. Of course, the nuts and bolts could be a choking hazard for young children so use caution.
DIY Sensory Tools For the Backyard:
Ways to Make Your Own Simple “Water Table”
Make Your Own Soap Foam Sidewalk Paint
How to Make a PVC Pipe Sand and Water Table
Make Your Own Calm Down Kit:
Calm Down Kit for Kids with Printable Relaxation Prompts
Christmas Calm Down Kit for Kids
Feel confident in explaining, understanding and managing sensory processing.
In Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators, you’ll gain the tools you need to help your child or student navigate their senses. You will also find practical strategies and sensory activities that will benefit all children. 
Find DIY Sensory Tools and Activities for the Classroom on Growing Hands-on Kids.
Learn more about Sensory Processing Disorder. 