A Great Base is Key - Sensory Bases

The most important ingredient to a great sensory experience is the base. The base is designed to give the ultimate sensory input and build those fine motor skills. 

Easy sensory bases include: 

• Rice

• Beans

• Dried or cooked pasta

• Sand

• Rocks or pebbles

• Play dough

• Mud or dirt

• Water or water beads

• Whole or ground cereal

• Dry oatmeal

• And so much more! 

These base ingredients in your sensory bins provide a means to ignite your child’s fine motor skills and imagination. The scooping, pouring, shaping, and manipulating of these base materials increases body movement and builds nerve connections in your brain which improve problem solving and increases a child’s ability to do more complex tasks. 

Start with a base that is appropriate for your child’s age and development. Then add any household items to encourage self-directed play: spoons, small bowls or cups, mini strainers, ladles, measuring cups or spoons. These tools support fine and gross motor practice and when used with fun, investigative base materials it will bring out exploration and mindful sensory play. Allow your child to bring in other toys or tools to increase their interest. Sensory play doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It’s about using a variety of bases to stimulate your child’s five senses, motor skills, and imagination. 

Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Playdough - Recipe from How Does She

There are so many recipes for playdough online - many the same and lots of variations.  For soft playdough that will last 6-12 months if stored and cared for correctly, we love Missy’s recipe from her blog How Does She. We usually add another half tablespoon of oil to the recipe to make it extra soft.  Be sure to knead well for the softest finish.  Five minutes in a KitchenAid mixer creates real soft magic if you have one!  Wrap in saran wrap then store in an airtight bag or container.  Wash hands and surface before play and reseal for long lasting, soft playdough! 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup flour

• 2 tsp cream of tartar

• ¼ cup salt

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil (*or 1.5 tbsp)

• 1 cup water

• Food coloring of your choice

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine dry ingredients (flour, salt, cream of tartar) and mix

2. Heat 1.5 tbsp of oil in a pot

3. Add desired food coloring (10-15 drops) to 1 cup of water and add to the pot

4. Once water is boiling, add dry ingredients and stir until it forms into a ball

5. Remove from heat and let cool

6. Knead for 2-5 minutes

7. Cool completely and store in saran wrap and an airtight bag or container

Cloud Dough

Cloud dough is a messy base, but it's relaxing sensory experience is totally worth the mess!  Cloud dough usually lasts 3-6 months if used on clean surfaces with clean hands and stored in an airtight container.  There are several ways to make soft, soothing cloud dough, but we love the simple flour and oil method.  To make it taste safe for littles still mouthing, be sure to bake the flour at 165 degrees or higher for five minutes to get rid of any remaining bacteria.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups flour

• ½ cup vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

1. Bake flour for 5 minutes at 165 degrees or higher to get rid of any bacteria

2. Place flour in a large bowl

3. Add ½ cup vegetable oil

4. Mix well

5. Store in an airtight container

Colored Rice

Colored rice is economical and easy to make.  There isn’t an exact recipe, so feel free to play around with how much food coloring you add to get your desired color.  To keep it taste-safe, we use vinegar and food coloring.  There are many other ways to dye rice, but this method seems to work for us.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup white rice

• 1 tsp white vinegar

• 10-15 drops food coloring

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix vinegar and food coloring in a plastic container with a lid or ziplock bag

2. Add 1 cup of rice

3. Shake thoroughly 

4. Dry on wax paper (usually 30-60min)

5. Store in an airtight container or bag