Sensory Ideas for Tactile Kids

TACTILE:

Some kids love the texture of sand, glitter, rice or salt falling through their fingers. Clear glass roasting pans work well for this activity. Use with colored piece of paper under it (it adds an extra visual of things disappearing as the glitter covers it) Kids can even practice writing spelling words in it.

BEAN BAGS:

Fun to play with and easy to make. Cut various colors of material into a rectangle 5x10, fold in 1/2 right sides together, sew one short side and one long side, turn inside out .. fold top edge in 3/4 inch (I like plenty of extra material) fill part way with: rice, salt, rock salt, dried beans, peas, and sew shut. Or you can make a quick tube, fill with sand about 3 inches, sew two channels, fill with sand, etc. until the tube is complete. Use a pinking shears and cut apart between the sewed channels. Instant bean bags for parties and just for fun.

FINGER / HAND SPONGES

Really you can just use pieces of foam. Shop around for various densities of small pieces of foam for adults, teens 1.5 wide .75(+) thick length is 4 - 6 inches . They can squeeze and throw them when angry or frustrated. This can also help with finger strength.

BALLOON,PAPER WAD, FLOOSH BALL FIGHTS:

Toss these around all winter. It can increase eye hand coordination, reflexes, and it is always fun for kids to throw something legally at mom and dad. NOTE if your kids have latex allergies use latex free gloves for the balloon, or make sock balls out of your old unmatched socks. Fill an old sock with rags or other old socks, roll into a ball and stitch shut. They work really well as balls. You can always used wadded up paper too.

FLOOSH BALLS

These balls are made out of fleece strips (aka worms very skinny strips) cut 8 inches long. Stack them together until your hand can barely fit around it. Use a quick tie to make the ball (aka pom pom) .

PUNCH BALLS

Punching balls are great fun and can be found at a dollar store. If mobility is an issue, the ball can be taped to a table and can be batted back and forth.

SAND BOX

Indoors you can use a large plastic bin with short sides. Place a waterproof tablecloth beneath to help with clean up. You can also add a water bin if you dare.

Outdoors, create your own sandbox with landscape timbers or treated wood, or purchase a box already made.

PENCIL HOLDERS:

Try various kinds of pencil holders. There are many shapes and sizes to choose from. If you have the old style sponge rollers, try using them on pencils .

IMPROVE HAND STRENGTH:

Are your child’s finger muscles too tight or too loose? If they are tight, add heat before working on anything . Let them wash their hands in warm soapy water (add dishes, lol) to warm up their muscles and joints. If they are too loose, do some resistance type stuff. Place your fingers on his do pushing back and forth. Push with fingers against his other fingers or onto the table.

POOR SMALL MOTOR:

Have the child practice his pincher grasp. Find some old film canisters (available free at Walmart or other photo developer) or potato chip cans. Have the child practice picking up things and dropping them into the containers . Work to gradually reduce the size of the objects and container.

Have the child practice working with money on the table . Have the child pick up coins (vs dragging them off) Practice counting at the same time.

There is a great website that has hundreds of ideas for sensory regulation. The site is Sensory Processing Disorder and it is very comprehensive. The Sensory Processing Disorder Checklist is an informative checklist for dysregulation.