Who couldn’t use a Sensory Fidget Board? This sensory toy is perfect for helping children focus their anxious and fidgety behavior. The different textures, sounds and even scents of each piece of the fidget board will appeal to the senses.
Just like our sensory bottles, the Sensory Fidget Board is very easy to make at home with regular household tools AND can be customized for each person. A fun way to plan your sensory board might include a shopping trip for the child who will use the board. Wal-Mart and dollar stores are great places to start. You can also buy many of these items on Amazon, too, if you familiar with the touch and texture of each item. Choose things that your child is naturally drawn to and enjoys touching and holding. We selected a few fun items that we liked for our sensory board, but the possibilities are truly endless!
Watch our step by step video for instructions on how to make ours. Then, just adjust depending on whatever amazing items you choose for yours!
Sensory Fidget Board
Supplies:
- Wooden craft board – cutting boards are also great, especially if they have a handle, you can also attach a handle out of another sensory material
- Adhesive-backed foam sheet
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun – depending on how rough your child will be with the sensory board, you may want to attach your items with a staple gun, instead
- Curly ribbon gift bow
- Fringe – this was “borrowed” from an old lamp shade
- Scented bean bag toy
- Tassel – this came from an old Halloween costume
- Stretchy rubber stress ball – ours also lights up when activated
- Hook and loop fastener
- Plastic spring toy
- Fuzzy pom-pons
Directions:
- Using the pencil, trace the shape of the board onto the foam sheet.
- Use your scissors to cut out the foam shape.
- Peel off the backing from the foam sheet and carefully place it over the board.
- Carefully arrange the items onto the board and begin attaching them with glue gun or staple gun. Be careful not to melt anything with your glue gun.
- When applying the hook and loop fastener, match up the hook side to the loop side as closely as possible and glue one side to your board. Then add a small amount of glue in between the hook side and the loop side, so the two pieces stay together on the board but most of the strip will unfasten.
- Once you’re done attaching all your items, let the glue cool and harden. That’s it! Enjoy! 😉
This was what we came up with, but the possibilities are truly endless. 😉
Here are a few other things that would work great on a sensory board!
Paint brushes or makeup brushes
Rubber bands
Silky hair ribbons
Safety mirror (no sharp edges)
Fine grain sand or smooth pebbles enclosed in plastic or fabric bag (ensure all sides are closed so nothing can escape)
We also love the idea of including water beads – as these are so nice to touch – but we couldn’t figure out a way to attach them and still get the full effect of them. If you can think of a way, send us a message and let us know!
