DIY Sensory Toys: Fun Projects for Parents and Kids

Other than a parent’s smile, what has the power to make a baby light up?
Toys.

No, they are not merely playthings. They are a powerful value-adding component that doubles up as one of the first educational and developmental tools in a child’s life.

They are their first introduction to the whole new world that awaits them.
Parents and caregivers are always looking for such toys that can elevate the child’s playtime experience. More often than not, they find that children’s sensory toys are the kinds of gifts that never stop giving. 

What Are Sensory Toys? 

Toys that are deisgned to stimulate a child’s senses through touch, feel or sound are known are sensory toys.

The senses include the five main ones- sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. This along with the sense of our body’s position and state, the sense of our body’s balance, needs, and functions.
A sensory toy for kids could be as simple as a busy board or a homemade sensory toy such as a bin of kinetic rice or sand.

Importance Of Using Sensory Toys For Children

Here are the benefits your child will experience when playing with sensory toys-

• Fine motor skills improvement

Sensory toys for toddlers and baby sensory toys encourage young children to engage their limbs, providing ample opportunities for refining motor skills. Skillmatics UK’s Animal Pattern Puzzle Set is a great play kit for this purpose.

• Promotes active learning

Children’s sensory toys encourage learning through exploration and curiosity. Sensory toys for one and two-year-olds help build nerve connections in the brain. This promotes language and motor skills development.

Skillmatics UK’s Jump and Learn Flash Cards for Toddlers is an excellent learning game . 

• Boosts confidence

Learning and engaging in the real world requires focus and sensory toys for children can help build that soft skill. As children play with the sensory toys, they feel more confident and their physical and emotional development happens in an organic and fun way.

• Fosters bonding

Baby sensory toys and sensory toys for kids teach essential social skills such as sharing, taking turns and collaboration.
Skillmatics UK’s Ultimate Dinosaur Game Box is an excellent option for family playtime.

• Helps manage stress and anxiety

Toddlers often experience anxiety or nervousness in new environments. Fidgeting or making small movements are a sure sign of this. Sensory toys such as fidget toys help alleviate such symptoms and calm their nerves.

• Sensory development

During infancy, sensory toys for babies play a vital role in sensory development. by providing them the opportunity to explore different textures, tastes and smells. 

Homemade Sensory Toys For Kids And Parents

Sensory toys for children sound fancy, intimidating and expensive. Well, it’s not. You can make them at home yourself, using very basic materials.

• Identify the smell from different flowers / fruits

You just need fresh flowers and fruits.

• Make flubber

Put 1 ⅓ cup of hot water into a bowl and dissolve two tsp. Of Borax powder into it. In another bowl mix two cups of Elmer’s glue with 1 ½ cups of warm water. Pour the borax solution into the second bowl, and keep turning and kneading it till you achieve a solid dough like consistency.

• Prepare a rainbow pasta

Cook pasta al dente and separate into four bowls, retaining some of the water. Drop different shades of food colouring into each of the bowls and stir well. Strain, cool and play.

• Conduct fizzy lemon sun eruptions

 Just add a bit of baking soda to lemonade.

• Create mosaics on walls

You can use foam blocks and pattern blocks to create mosaics on walls for children. 

• Teach colours using jello paint

Buy jello paints, to teach your children the names of colours. 

• Create slime using fibre supplements

Add one cup of water to two tsp. Of psyllium husk fibre supplements. Microwave on high for four minutes and then let it cool.

•  Use Pom Poms to create a sundae

Sew a pom pom on top of the icing. Make a loop, thread the loop and pull it through the icing and the pom pom. Sew the icing on top of your ice cone.

• Play what’s inside the balloon

Put items such as money, chocolates, jewellery, inside a balloon and play!

• Use Epsom salt for painting

Add one cup of epsom salt to one cup of boiling water. After it’s cooled, pour into three cups and add food colouring to each cup. Use paintbrushes and enjoy!

• Create textured boards

Sand down plywood to get rid of any roughness. Gather supplies and assemble everything on the board before placing it on a wall, securely.

• Make edible water beads

Bring 5 cups of water to a boil, and add ½ cup of tapioca pearls. Cook in a pot until they’re floating and soft. Then you drain and cool them completely. 

Things To Keep In Mind While Using the Right DIY Children’s Sensory Toys

Small children often have certain sensitivities, so it is important to avoid any sensory overload.  Some key red flags you need to be aware of are: 

• Very bright lights and flashing colours

While choosing or making sensory toys for children always opt for muted colours and gentle lighting to prevent overwhelming visual stimulation. Black and white sensory toys are always a great option.

• Jarring and loud sounds

Sensory toys for kids need to have adjustable volume settings. Ideally, toys with calming sounds are great to avoid any auditory distress.

• Rough textures

Baby sensory toys should always have a smooth texture, so that it is not abrasive to a baby’s sensitive skin.

• Small or detachable parts

Sensory toys for kids should ideally consist of big and sturdy pieces to eliminate the chances of choking and ensure safe play.

Conclusion 

So sensory toys are important for children. It gives them enrichment and fun along with helping in their early development. If you decide to make sensory toys at home, then keep your child’s development needs in mind while making the toys.

We at Skillmatics UK, prioritise your child’s safety above all else. We guarantee premium products that are 100% safe for your young child to use and enjoy during playtime. Try our award-winning games, “Rapid Rumble” or “Guess in 10”  for some super fun family bonding time!

Frequently Asked Questions on Sensory Toys

What are sensory toys?

A sensory toy is one that stimulates one or more of our senses (such as touch, smell, hearing, sight etc.). At Skillmatics UK, we have specifically tailored sensory toys for babies, for toddler and even tweens!
You could try our High Contrast Flash Cards which have been especially curated for infants.

We have innovative puzzle games and strategy games such as the “Egg Hunt: Dinosaur themed memory and strategy game”.
Our World Map Puzzle is great for preteens.

Visit our website for more innovative and original games for your children.
https://skillmaticsworld.co.uk/

 

What are the benefits of introducing sensory toys for babies?

Sensory toys for babies are critical tools in infancy and early childhood development, as they help babies understand this strange and chaotic new world better. Benefits include enhanced brain development, cognitive growth,  improved social and language skills and most importantly parent-baby bonding!

 

How can I choose the ideal sensory toy for kids?

Sensory toys for children are designed to stimulate a child’s five senses: sight, smell, touch, sound and taste. Look for vibrant toys with high-contrast patterns, mobiles and picture books that allow your little one to explore the world and all its sights, shapes and sounds in a natural safe environment.

Here are some age-appropriate sensory toys for children that you can purchase from Skillmatics UK

Baby sensory toys (0-12 months)

Sensory toys for toddlers (1-4 years) (1-4 years)

 

Where can I get the best online sensory toys in the UK?

We, at Skillmatics UK, are dedicated to enhancing playtime experience for all ages through sensory toys for babies, sensory toys for toddlers and even for tweens! You can also check out our wide range of educational learning games for kids of all ages.

Visit our website for more : https://skillmaticsworld.co.uk/