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Need ideas for Sensory Play and Arts & Crafts

ParentingAutism

After understanding my daughter's meltdowns were because of boredom and lack of structure/routine, we have come up with the idea of a timetable. We are starting it next week and here are the ideas we have already but maybe you could give more ideas: 

1. Sensory Play: 

Make slime

Rainbow rice

Sensory bottles (we need ideas for what we could put in them)

Marble painting using shaving foam

Make gel mat

Make own fidget board

2. Arts & Crafts:

Marble painting using shaving foam

Painting objects

Mosaic foam kit

Foil art

Sticker dolly dressing activity book

Make weighted teddy/mat/item

We are open to any more suggestions. Thanks!

  • Baking where you use your hands to prepare the mix (when you have to mix flour and butter through your fingers to make breadcrumb consistency) 

    Also anything to do with dough like for example hand stretching pizza dough. I always found these things calming when I was younger and still do. 

  • in reply to BeccaLovesBreakfast

    Ooh another idea is printing with dried leaves. Just spread some paint on a hard washable surface, lightly press the leaf into the paint, then apply to paper 

  • You could make one week quite festive by making some decorations. We still treasure a snowman that my niece made. It is just cotton balls stuck on a snowman shaped bit of card. With felt black eyes and mouth. It's really simple to make and the bits feel nice.

  • Depending on how old your daughter is:

    Mud kitchen outside if you have a space for it - old kitchen pots and pans and old utensils. Can make mud patties and pies and 'coffee' in old mugs.

    'magic potions' or 'perfume' - choosing and mixing leaves and flowers to go in a 'cauldron' (old saucepan). If you have old bottles and a jug she can try pouring into the bottles. Could use eco friendly dye to make different colours.

    Make own paint brushes using feathers and twigs/leaves.

    Flower pounding - scraps of white cotton, or old white t shirts/vests cut up. Place coloured flowers/leaves on cotton and fold over, bash with a small hammer to transfer the colours to the cotton. 

    Make art by glueing dried leaves to paper

    Making bracelets/necklaces with beads.

    Make glass lanterns for tea lights out of old jam jars and pretty/coloured napkins glued to the outside. Can add wire to rim if you want to hang up.

  • Hi I love your ideas so far! :)  your sensory bottles, you might consider adding items like small beads, glitter, water beads, or even coloured oils for a mesmerising effect. You could also include natural elements like dried flowers or leaves for a touch of nature. As for more arts and crafts suggestions, how about trying salt dough ornaments? They can be a fun way to combine creativity with a bit of science, and kids can paint them once they dry. Another idea is to create a nature collage using leaves, twigs, and flowers collected on a nature walk—this can be an excellent way to connect with the outdoors!