Make A Sensory Box

Viewing this page on your device?
Please adjust your settings to enable images!
I use small photos to illustrate the information and activities that I share, and you will have a much better experience on this website if you can view the images.

A sensory box can be a very helpful resource for a child who has sensory processing disorder.


Basically, a sensory box contains objects that could help your child manage his/her sensory processing issues.

  • If your child tends to get over-stimulated easily, then the box could contain objects that could help your child to calm down and modulate their over-aroused state.
  • If your child tends to be lethargic and under-responsive, then the box could contain objects that could help stimulate the senses and help him/her to focus.
  • If your child tends to be sensory seeking, then the box could contain objects that could provide sensory stimulation in a way that is acceptable for the situation - such as being able to sit and listen to a story while fiddling with an object from the sensory box instead of bouncing on the furniture!

Once you find out which items work best for your child, consider putting one in your handbag and in his/her pocket, so that you always have something at hand to help modulate any sensory issues.

Read my page on sensory processing disorder for more information about these categories.

Back to Top


Guidelines For A Sensory Box

There is no standard recipe or instructions for putting together a sensory box - you will need to discover what your child responds well to by observing your child, talking with your child, and getting feedback from therapists and teachers who are involved with your child.

You can make your sensory box fit your budget, and make use of the resources you already have on hand at home.

Many sensory boxes on the market contain mostly plastic items, which is why I feel that a DIY box with a variety of household objects can be more helpful.

Important - always consider the age of your child and their developmental stage - avoid objects that could be a choking hazard for your child.Also avoid objects that break easily or have sharp edges.

Where to use it: You can keep the sensory box in a quiet corner of your house, where your child can go to "unwind" , calm down or get focused. You can also keep one or two items on hand in your reading corner, where you child can use the item to stay focused while listening to you read aloud.

Back to Top


Tactile Items

Look for items that have various textures. Some children find it soothing to hold or play with something soft and fluffy, while others find rougher textures more pleasing.

Rougher textures can also provide great tactile input for sensory seeking kids.

You may find that your child enjoys stroking an item, or rubbing it on the hands, arms and face.

Here are some tactile objects that I find helpful (as shown in the photo):

  • Smooth wooden objects (wooden doll, toy rolling pin and wooden mirror) - these are heavier than plastic objects, and smooth wood is warm and soothing to the touch.
  • Rough textured material (hessian, corduroy, textured soft toy) - running your fingers or hands over rough fabric can be helpful.
  • Soft textured material (fluffy soft toy, baby blanket) - there is a good sensory reason why most baby soft toys are soft and velvety!
  • "prickly" objects (nailbrush and sea-shell) - like with the textured material, prickly objects can help a sensory seeking child focus. You can even try velcro - some teachers put velcro patches (the rough side) under a child's desk to give the child something to rub the fingers on while listening in class!
  • The silicone pastry brush is an odd addition, but some of my kids enjoyed brushing the soft bristles over their hands and arms!

Back to Top


Fiddly Items

These items are helpful in that they can provide some proprioceptive input to help calm an over stimulated child, or they can provide the necessary stimulation needed to help a sensory seeking child to focus during a listening activity.

Here are some fiddly objects that I find helpful (as shown in the photo):

  • Beaded necklaces (especially wooden beads) - warm and smooth to hold, it is soothing to let them slip through your fingers.
  • Wooden nesting toys - take the nesting pieces apart and put them together again.
  • Fidget spinners - look for metal ones that are a bit heavier than plastic ones. Spinning them is soothing to watch, as well as fiddly. The slight humming noise may be calming, but some fidget spinners are noisier than others!
  • Hair "scrunchies" - the elastic is safely encased in fabric, so you child can stretch, pull and twist the elastic to his/her heart's content.
  • Puzzle balls - these require the child to push the little balls into place, which works the hand muscles, giving proprioceptive feedback. However, the clicking noise may drive some parents a little nuts while it calms their child!
Back to Top


Sensory Box Resources

If you are looking for some more novel items, here are my affiliate links to sensory/fidget products on Amazon, for your convenience. (I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through my links)

You can also view the Fidget Puzzle Ball on Amazon.

PFOT also stock a great variety of sensory fidgets as well as other items that can be useful for kids who have sensory processing disorder.

Exclusive Offer to OT Mom Readers
Use the coupon code OTmom
and get 15% off your order of $35 or more at PFOT
This is an affiliate link and if you purchase something through my link,
I will earn a small commission which helps to support my site!

Thank you for visiting! I hope you found this page helpful and were inspired to help your child with sensory processing issues! Why not sign up for my occasional newsletter to stay in touch with new pages on my site?

You may find some of my other sensory processing pages helpful:

An overview of SPD
SPD in Babies and Toddlers
SPD - Kids at School
Helpful Books on SPD

Back to Top

› › Make Your Own Sensory Box

If this page was helpful, please share it with your friends!

Price freeze on bundle deals of updated and revised OT Mom E-Books!

Didn't find what you were looking for? Try a search of my site!

jordan 8 retro aqua black friday 305381 025 original sepatu converse jack purcell lp leather hvxh metallic converse cortez kenny 1 kendrick lamar converse sunglasses b012 black mirror 58 vans shoe shaped skateboard air jordan 32 unc first in sneakers nike wmns lebron 16 hfr converse chuck taylor all star black hi sneaker converse adidas samoa white white gold 9.5 m us mens reebok paris runner all black v67614 nike mens air huarache run ultra running shoe air jordan 1 high premium snakeskin nike air max 90 mid no sew sneaker boots ns mens sneaker skate womens mens uk vans era gold nike air max 95 dynamic flywire men 039 nike air max zero ess jan17 876070 005 air jordan i low n7 air jordan shoes hq vans 106 moc ca sudan brown shoes nike sb fc classic shoes men black 18143 683 jordan aj 1 89 black corduroy sweatpants black 6 nike mens air max invigor trainers vans authentic shoes tawny port marshmallow air jordan 11 gs space jam carousell air max 95 premium neon green 538416 701 nike air penny hardaway v 5 hl highlighter nike air uptempo release dates 2016 ken painting ken griffey jrby michael pattison best of 2017 yeezy 2 converse all star knee high tall style zipup nike trainers china nike air max typha red white 2017previous ne t shop all nike soccerair ma 97 nike air max ld zero 848624 101 2016 mens nike air max tn shoes grey red green uk high heeled sandal bettie 01 mint fbf ottoman bo openings nike air max 97 qs silver air jordan 11 low white red on feet sp liquid hair molecular hair refiller 100ml drawing off white nike air jordan 1 chateau de montautre kooklessen nike air jordan casual boots nike air force 1 mens af1 sneakers shoes air jordan 12 gg chinese new year 02 converse chuck taylor ac dc highway to hell limited si nike roshe wolf grey with gold check womens nike pro 3 vi en training shorts us 12.0 levis nike air jordan 4 retro white nike air max 97 atlantic blue volt yellow ds vans chukka slim unisex adults trainers natural nike air max milan ebay air jordan retro 10 smoke converse black glitter chuck taylor high next jordan 4 green glow tshirt molley mint black race face at crankworx whistler mens hugo boss black hybrid smart shoes 503800096 nike air force 1 ultra flyknit e perience nike air max penny royal blue gym red hypebeast nike air force 1 high sheed womens air jordan high tops designer latest nike kd 8 aunt pearl 2018 air jordans retro 6 china red vans sk8 hi platform canvas black batman sneakers mens jordans air jordan 31 blue quartz nike air max 1 white pink silver grey jordan horizon gg 819848 008 girls 039 grade adidas z 700 oni womens shoes converse vr021 100 unisex 1908 reg watch nike air force 25 digging for a special jordan 13 air jordan 11 ie low referee clothing leopard print converse allstar trainers sneakers converse aw09 chuck taylor strap 1 pantofi sport nike pico 4 tdv 545501 409 nike air max command womens purple chameleon 7 mid waterproof nike air max stutter step infantil air jordan 11 red velvet shoe topdeals air jordan 30 xxx cosmos galaxy mens shoes under armour shoes academy vans sk8 hi spectra yellow white skate shoes air jordan 1 suede blue red jordan retro 9 kilroy nike air max tavas ps8441044052 previous nike free 5.0 red black running shoe mens air ma dynasty 2 gsniñosnike vans era brogue ca 2 tone converse sneakers with lunarlon capital store roc metro senior leather womens school shoes converse jack purcell canvas ox black white converse chuck taylor all star metallic rubber ox low sports mens converse chuck taylor all star core black gs jordan 7 french blue nike foamposite pro gold nike air max 1 midnight navy university red nike shoes for kidsvarious design previousair ma infuriate nike air max tn gold black