Sensory Box Fun

It’s time for some PediaPlex sensory box fun! Our new box is a subscription service that delivers seasonal sensory items tailored for teens and tweens, providing relaxation, focus, and enjoyment throughout the year. If your child attends PediaPlex for therapy then chances are they’ve gotten the chance to use one of our sensory boxes (or sensory bottles or bags) while in session. But have you ever made them at home?! These are a super fun, and therapeutic, tool that you can make from home with mostly random household items that you already have. So what are you waiting for?! Let’s make some!

What are Sensory Boxes?

Sensory boxes, also known as sensory bins or sensory kits, are interactive play activities designed to engage kids’ senses and promote learning and development. These boxes typically contain a variety of themed materials and props that encourage children to explore, create, and learn through hands-on play. Sensory boxes can be tailored to specific age groups, interests, and needs, making them an excellent tool for parents, educators, and therapists. Whether it’s a box filled with colorful beads, textured rice, or playful water beads, sensory bins offer endless opportunities for fun and educational experiences.

There are a variety of different types of sensory boxes, bottles, bags, bins, etc. that you can make but today we are just going to focus on the boxes (they are the cutest anyways).

• First you need to get a good container with a lid. You can find these at your local dollar store or Wal-Mart. Size is completely up to you but if it’s too large you will need A LOT of items to fill it.
• Second you will need to pick a theme for your box. At PediaPlex, we like to theme ours around the holidays or seasons!
• Choose what kind of filler you will use. Some ideas are water beads, rice, salt, beans, or pasta. For extra fun you can dye these items to make them colorful.
• Next you will add whatever tools and sensory items you’d like to use in the sensory box. Items that can be used for scooping, digging, or dumping are great! You can also add things like feathers, buttons, beads, whatever you’d like!

That’s it! That’s all the steps! Now have fun making this with your child and watching them play! Check out this video we created that shows you how to make your own sensory boxes!

Benefits of Sensory Boxes

There are several benefits to sensory boxes, as well as sensory bottles and bags. Let's take a look at the few main benefits for children!
-Fine Motor Skills: Depending on what items you put into the sensory box, your child is able to scoop, dump, and move around the small objects while playing.
-Language Skills: Whether your child is simply playing with the box or helping you create it, they are able to use their vocabulary skills. They can request certain objects to be in the box and also use their vocabulary to describe their experience while playing.
-Science and Math Skills: Involve your child with creating the sensory box! Teach them how to measure amounts before adding them to the box/bottle. When using liquids, show them how things like water and oil react when mixed. Make it a learning experience for them!
-Sensory Needs: Many sensory boxes are created with a variety of textures. This is great for children with sensory processing disorder as they satisfy their sensory needs.

You can even create sensory tables at home if you are handy! This option gives your child much more room to play and makes it fun for the entire family!

Try making your own sensory boxes at home with your kids and tag us in your Facebook posts @pediaplexdfw! We can't wait to see what sensory box fun ideas you come up with!

-The PediaPlex Family

Creating Your Own Sensory Box

Creating your own sensory box is a fun and easy way to provide your child with a unique and engaging play experience. Start by choosing a theme or topic that your child is interested in, such as nature, animals, or art. Then, gather a variety of materials and props that fit the theme, like beads, rice, sand, water, or fabric. You can also add sensory toys and items like play dough, slime, or fidget toys to enhance the experience. Finally, place the materials in a bin or container and let your child explore and play. The possibilities are endless, and the joy on your child’s face will be priceless!

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Sensory Box Activities

Sensory box activities are designed to engage children’s senses and promote learning and development. Here are some popular sensory box activities:

• Exploring Textures: Fill a bin with different textures like sand, rice, or beans and let your child explore with their hands. This activity helps develop tactile awareness and fine motor skills.
• Sensory Sorting: Fill a bin with different objects like beads, buttons, or pompoms and have your child sort them by shape, color, or size. This activity enhances cognitive skills and hand-eye coordination.
• Water Play: Fill a bin with water and add soap, sponges, or other materials for a fun and educational water play experience. Water play can be calming and is great for sensory exploration.
• Art Projects: Fill a bin with art supplies like paint, markers, or crayons and let your child create and express themselves. This activity encourages creativity and fine motor development.

Safety and Maintenance

Sensory boxes can be a safe and enjoyable play experience for children, but it’s essential to take some precautions to ensure their safety. Here are some tips for safety and maintenance:

• Supervise Children: Always supervise children during sensory play to ensure they are not putting materials in their mouths or eyes.
• Use Safe Materials: Use non-toxic and hypoallergenic materials to minimize the risk of allergic reactions.
• Clean Regularly: Clean and disinfect sensory boxes regularly to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.
• Store Safely: Store sensory boxes in a safe and accessible location to prevent accidents and injuries. Proper storage also helps keep the materials in good condition for future use.

Themed Sensory Boxes

Themed sensory boxes are a great way to provide children with a unique and engaging play experience. Here are some popular themed sensory box ideas:

• Nature-Themed Sensory Box: Fill a bin with natural materials like leaves, rocks, and sticks and add sensory toys like magnifying glasses or bug catchers. This theme encourages exploration and a love for nature.
• Animal-Themed Sensory Box: Fill a bin with animal-themed materials like stuffed animals, animal figures, or animal-shaped erasers and add sensory toys like feathers or fur. This theme is perfect for animal lovers and can spark imaginative play.
• Art-Themed Sensory Box: Fill a bin with art supplies like paint, markers, or crayons and add sensory toys like play dough or slime. This theme fosters creativity and artistic expression.
• Calming-Themed Sensory Box: Fill a bin with calming materials like lavender, chamomile, or essential oils and add sensory toys like fidget toys or stress balls. This theme is ideal for helping children relax and manage anxiety.

By creating and exploring these themed sensory boxes, you can provide your child with endless opportunities for fun, learning, and development. Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive important updates and new sensory bin ideas!