Anyone put together their own DIY sensory room?

[AmberLeaf]

I've been looking.....they are v expensive to have 'put in'

Thinking if someoneelse can do it so can I!

So has anyone made their own?

How hard/easy was it?

Any tips or links to websites to get cheapish but decent things to put in one?

Thank you.

[davidsotherhalf]

we did a sensory room a few weeks ago, it cost us about £50, we got a pod light from maplin, dd loves this as u can have fast or slow and shines off mirror ball, most of the items we got off the car boot, i made some patchwork cushions for textures, used fur fabric, cord, cotton, velvet etc, dd loves fibre optic light, it can be done on a low budget, dd also found bubble tube at car boot, cost her £3, hth

[AmberLeaf]

Thanks, wow thats really cheap!

I didnt think of boot sales, I will keep my eyes open.

Im going to have a look on Maplin website, we were at a wedding reception recently [which I was dreading, didnt think DS would be able to handle it] and he was really taken by the lights and lazers that the DJ had, thats what got me thinking.

Thanks thats really helpful.

[AmberLeaf]

Is this the sort of pod light you have?

www.maplin.co.uk/pod-lights-led-225773

Ive just remembered I have one like this in a cupboard somewhere that I bought for a party a while ago. [didnt realise thats what a pod light was!]

[davidsotherhalf]

yes thats similar to dd but hers was just a single light, its great when pointed at mirror ball as it shines different coloured spots moving around the room

[growlybear]

We did a sensory room for our dd.We put up blackout blinds.Ther are shiny door hangers hanging on the walls.We bought a star machine from find me a gift.DD did get a rompa laser projector for Christmas last year.She has glow teddies.Relaxing music and relaxation cd,s.We put textured siver sticky back paper from b&q on bits of the walls.Also cheap stick on mirrors.This time of year is fantastic for differant lights.Have a look around christmas shops,diy shops.We have just got these butterfly lights and a sun in a jar.You can do a sensory room cheaply buy just looking around the shops and thinking of things in a differant way.

[lisad123]

shadow light from argos is fab. If your child like to lay on the floor, fill a quilt cover with bean bag balls, sew it up and then put another one over the top and that is then washable

[starfishmummy]

Years ago I went to Action for Leisure (a small national charity based locally, not sure if they still exist as cant find on google) and they had a "budget" sensory room. - some ideas we took away were -
the mathmos projector lamp - www.mathmos.com/space-projector-light-6502-0.html. (cheaper than the specialist ones when I got ours) If the child cant see as far as the ceiling they also suggested that it could be projected on to a photographers light reflecting umberella (see amazon).
At xmas mirror balls and the like tend to be in all the gadgetty shops.

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

Lisa what colours does the Argos Shadow lamp go please? I assume it is this one.

[lisad123]

Yes that's the one. It goes green, blue, red and I think purple. It has loads of different settings it's great

[TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission]

argos do a bubble tube, I've just ordered one for dd3 so don't know if it's any good yet though.

[Ben10WasTheSpawnNowWeLoveLego]

Lisa, it has red and blue then it's for us! No point buying it if it didn't include those colours, thanks .

THanks Ninja. Will have a look at that too.

[magso]

Ds has a sensory space under his raised bed, and a calm corner in the lounge. I have not spent a lot on things. The space under the bed has a mattress and various squichy cushions and a choice of cool lights. again we have used christmas lights. Ds likes confined spaces to relax in.

[AmberLeaf]

Thanks everyone, this has all got me thinking!

[tallwivglasses]

Hi Amber, I just remembered this website: www.playpennies.com/sensory-rooms-on-a-budget/

[AmberLeaf]

Thanks tallwivglasses.

Im posting from my phone so cant look at your link right now, but it looks like the sort of thing im looking for.

[timsmama]

Hi all! Very interesting thread and great ideas! I was wondering if a standard lava lamp would be suitable for children? I know ds1 (he's 4.5) would LOVE it, but am just a bit worried as not only is he quite young himself, but he has 2 younger brothers who do venture into his room too. What do you think?

[lisad123]

I wouldnt, they get hot and easy to knock over :(

[timsmama]

lisa thank you. hmmm, maybe not the best option then for a ds who has practically no impulse control...I guess the space projector would be a safer alternative then

[wasuup3000]

What about a tent which you pop up and down whenever you want?

www.amazon.co.uk/SunnCamp-Blackout-Two-Man-Tent/dp/B001NPCVX0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1316462744&sr=8-6&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

You can put light up toys and fluffy stuff and fiddly stuf in there?

[wasuup3000]

www.amazon.co.uk/SunnCamp-Blackout-Two-Man-Tent/dp/B001NPCVX0/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1316462744&sr=8-6&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[AmberLeaf]

That tent looks good, ive seen a similar one in the www.specialneedstoys.com catalogue.

Theirs is I think £39.99 so that amazon one is a good buy.

re lava lamps; My older son had one and I can also confirm they do get quite hot so not a good idea

[AmberLeaf]

//www.specialneedstoys.com

[davidsotherhalf]

have you got wilkinson shop in your area, pop up tent is summer item, in our wilkinson theres 75% off summer and garden items, the pop up tent was about £4, not available online, only in store

[AmberLeaf]

I think theres one not too far away, is it a black one?

[davidsotherhalf]

they had different colours