self made sensory toys.

[Devlesko]

I'm looking for ideas for cheap as in £1 or free items to make sensory toys for my granddaughter.

I do invest in toys for them but for a baby it seems pointless, as they don't need them for long. I'm not mean, they both have lots of silvanian familes to grow into

I have ribbons to make into strips, foil (she loves this) pasta necklace and rice/pasta shakers.

Google treasure baskets (heuristic play) and make her one of those.

Rice in bottles which are then covered in different textures.

Pine cones, washing up items/silver foil blanket/scarves/wooden spoon etc

ooh lovely ideas, thank you.
I hate the idea of plastic landfill and there's not likely to be more babies to pass them down to.
Besides I used to love doing this with mine, but so long ago I can't remember what I used.

Thanks. x

Best one I did was a Vanish tub, washed out and holes poked around the sides. Then threaded different long ribbons/strings from one side to the other, and knotted so you could pull them back and forth.

Kids loved it and it lasted ages.

If you are doing rice/pasta in a plastic drinks bottle then do the "boiled bottle" thing first. Not literally!! Put the bottle in the sink and carefully pour near boiling water from the kettle into it and then using oven gloves to hold the bottle tip it out. Then stick it under the cold tap. The bottle will sort of collapse on itself and "set" like that, the ceumoles providing a more "interesting" texture for little hands to hold and explore. You can then fill it woth some rice or pasta or part fill with water and food colouring before firmly attaching the lid.

Shells with holes on ribbons or strings.

U could create a mini "abacus" using items strung across a tub as mentioned above, in different colours or numbers, shells, large buttons.

Or a cushion with different texture/colour pieces of fabric, could be with something sewn into them.

Or like they do in science play, a box with holes big enough for a hand with cones, pieces of fur etc to "identify".