You don’t need to break the bank on expensive sensory tools and structures for your child with autism. With a little creativity, ingenuity, and elbow grease there are plenty of ways that you can create a sanctuary of calming and enriching experiences for your child using materials you have around the home. It has been shown that sensory-rich experiences can be a fun and beneficial way to support children with autism in their development. These activities can help regulate sensory input, promote relaxation, and improve focus while strengthening your bond with your child. 

Here are ten engaging DIY sensory activities to try at home for a child with autism in Markham.

1. Sensory Bins

It’s fun to feel the squish, squoosh, or squash of various textures. Get up to your elbows in ingredients and have some fun with your kids. All you need to do is look in the cupboards and below your feet. Sensory bins are versatile and simple to create. Fill a large container with items like rice, beans, sand, or pasta. Add small toys, scoops, and containers for your child to explore. This activity can help with fine motor skills, focus, and tactile exploration.

2. Weighted Sensory Lap Pads

You can buy heated blankets at the mall, or find cooling pads to order online. These are expensive though. You are better off to save your money and make a two-in-one with a little household ingenuity. Start your DIY lap pad by filling a small pillowcase with dry rice or beans. Once you’re happy with the weight and thickness, simply sew it shut. Now you can throw it in the freezer on a hot day, or heat it up in the microwave when the mercury drops. A weighted lap pad can provide soothing deep pressure input, helping children feel secure and grounded.

3. Homemade Playdough

Remember making snakes with Play-Doh as a kid? The stuff is hands down one of the most fun and malleable toys on the market. However, you don’t need to go to the store to buy a bunch of colours with all that excess plastic packaging. You can whip this stuff up at home with your child. Making playdough together is both a sensory and bonding activity. Use flour, salt, water, and a little food colouring to create a soft, stretchable dough. You can even take it up a level and enhance the sensory experience by adding scents like vanilla or lavender.

4. Calming Sensory Bottles

Snow globes and kaleidoscopes can be mesmerizing toys that can capture the attention of a child and fill them with wonder. There’s no need to buy more junk off Amazon and wait a week to have your turn. Simply make these things yourself at home with everyday materials.  Fill a clear plastic bottle with water, glitter, small beads, and a bit of clear glue. When shaken, the bottle creates a captivating, colourful effect. This can help calm children during moments of anxiety or overstimulation.

5. Obstacle Course

It’s possible to stimulate the senses and keep fit at the same time. Designate a room in your house to be a converted play area, and have at it. You can set up a simple indoor obstacle course using pillows, chairs, and blankets. As you build, make use of the ottoman, kitchen table, and chesterfield to encourage crawling, jumping, and balancing. This helps with gross motor skills and provides proprioceptive input, which can be calming.

6. Bubble Wrap Stomp

Who doesn’t love popping bubble wrap? This soothing activity is known to stimulate the production of dopamine and bring us a sense of relaxation and joy. Originally used as wallpaper, bubble wrap is now found in most packaging and you’ve probably got some kicking around the house. How much fun can you have with this stuff? Put it on the floor and encourage your child to stomp, jump, roll around, or press on it. This provides tactile and auditory stimulation while also being a great energy outlet.

7. Rainbow Rice Art

Finger painting is for amateurs. Bring in some household materials and take your child’s efforts up a notch. Simply dye rice in different colours, use food colouring and rubbing alcohol, then let it dry. Use this rainbow of rice for art projects, layering it in jars, or simply as a sensory exploration tool.

8. Homemade Sensory Swing

Sometimes it’s nice to while away an afternoon with your feet up and your hands behind your head. If you have a sturdy doorframe or ceiling hook, hang a hammock or large blanket as a swing. Gentle swinging can provide vestibular input, which is calming and helps with balance and coordination.

9. Water Play Station

From warm, to cold, to luke, you can play with temperature. From splish to splash to sploosh, you can play with sound. Water offers a wide variety of sensations to experience with your child. And it’s free. Simply set up a small tub of water with cups, spoons, and waterproof toys. Add food colouring or bubble bath for variety. Water play is soothing and encourages sensory exploration.

10. Texture Walk

The floor can be lava. It can be more pleasant feeling things as well. Have some fun with this. Create a texture walk by placing different materials (like carpet squares, bubble wrap, or foam mats) on the floor. Encourage your child to walk barefoot across them to explore various tactile sensations.

With a little creative thinking and initiative you can create a sensory filled afternoon for your child without having to reach into your pocketbook. Here are some tips for success to bear in mind after a fun sensory session at home. Observe Preferences: Every child is unique. Pay attention to which activities they enjoy and adapt as needed. Start Small: Begin with short sessions to avoid overwhelming your child. Make It Fun: Keep the activities engaging and low-pressure to encourage participation. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff or occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help with suggestions and ideas. These DIY sensory activities can transform everyday moments into opportunities for learning and joy. They not only enhance sensory integration but also nurture creativity and connection with any child with autism in Markham.