Sensory Processing - Page 6 of 14

The Over-Head Balloon Drop

Steps:

Place a soft pillow on the floor for your child to lie on.
Set a large basket about a foot behind your child’s head.
Ask your child to lie on their back and squeeze a balloon between their ankles while holding the pillow sides.
Encourage them to lift their legs up and over their head.
The goal is to drop the balloon into the basket without using their hands!
Try it again and see how many times they can score in a row.

Safety Tip:
Ensure the area behind the child’s head is clear of hard furniture or sharp edges.

The Coffee Filter Magic Flower

Steps:

Set out a few white coffee filters on a tray or plastic container.
Show your child how to fold the coffee filter in half, then in half again.
Mix a few drops of food coloring into small cups of water.
Have your child squeeze the eyedropper to soak up the colorful water.
Encourage them to carefully drop the water onto the folded edges of the filter.
Slowly unfold the wet filter to see a beautiful, colorful pattern.
Let the filters dry to create magic flowers or window art!

Safety Tip:
Food coloring can stain clothes and surfaces. Use a tray to keep the water contained. Always supervise your child when using the eyedropper and water.

The Textured Cardboard Path

Steps:

Help your child cut several long strips of cardboard to make the path.
Use masking tape to secure the strips to the floor in a straight line.
Glue small pieces of soft sponge and rough yarn along the path.
Ask your child to take off their shoes and socks.
Have them walk slowly while keeping their feet inside the cardboard edges.
Encourage them to describe how each section feels as they step on it!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise your child to prevent slips or falls while they walk on the textured path. Make sure the cardboard is taped down firmly to the floor.

The Wet Tissue Mosaic

Steps:

Help your child tear tissue paper into small bits.
Fill the squirt bottle with a little water.
Let your child spray the dry erase board.
Ask them to press the paper bits onto the wet board.
Watch as the paper stays in place!
Try to cover the whole board with different colors.

Safety Tip:
CHOKING HAZARD: This activity uses small pieces of paper. Always supervise your child. Ensure they do not put paper in their mouth.

The Aluminium Pan Sifter Shake

Steps:

Place the Aluminium Foil Pan upside down on a table.
Use a pencil to poke ten holes through the bottom of the pan.
Flip the pan over and set it on top of a large bowl.
Pour a cup of dry rice and a handful of beads into the pan.
Hold the edges of the pan with both hands.
Shake the pan side to side to sift the rice into the bowl.
Use your pinching fingers to pick up the remaining beads!

Safety Tip:
Always supervise children during this activity. The pencil has a sharp point, and the rice and beads are small objects that can be a choking hazard.