DIY Sensory Lids for Babies
Sensory play is not only incredibly beneficial but it’s also one of the few ways that babies can play. However there is one problem, babies like to taste everything. Although sensory bins are wonderful, some of them also present a choking hazard. One way to give your babies these sensory opportunities, while keeping them safe, is to turn your sensory bins into sensory lids instead. With these easy DIY Sensory Lids for Babies in your toy box, you’re not only helping your little ones learn, but you’re also making yourself a fantastic hack to make tummy time 100 times easier for both of you.
Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a commission if you use this link to make a purchase.
Table of Contents
More Sensory Activities for Babies
Since babies love to put everything in their mouths, we want to make sure that we only use taste-safe sensory activities for them. Here are some more of my favorite sensory play ideas that are suitable for infants.
- Taste-Safe Mud Recipe
- Taste-Safe Rainbow Rice
- Frozen Peas Sensory Bin
- DIY Baby Sensory Bag
- Sensory Fort for Babies
For more ideas, take a look at these 60 Sensory Activities for Babies.
Materials Needed
- Plastic lids
- Hot glue gun
- Different types of sensory materials
There are so many different things you can use for your sensory lids, different textures fabrics, small items or even sandpaper are all easy ideas.
How to Make Sensory Lids
Making sensory lids is so easy. It’s simply a matter of gluing items with different textures onto the lids. I use my hot glue gun for this because I was afraid that using regular glue wouldn’t hold the smaller items, such as the rainbow rice, strongly enough.
As I’m sure you understand, I didn’t want my son (and later my daughter) to put any of the items in their mouth and choke.
I also made one lid into a ribbon pull lid. All I did was to punch several holes into the lid and threaded a ribbon through the hole. With a knot at each end of the ribbon, the kids could pull the ribbon as much as they wanted.
This particular lid was played with by with my kids for longer than the others because it was a fantastic fine motor activity for them as toddlers.
Tummy time fun
Sensory play is so important for all kids, not just kids with special needs. If you haven’t come across the benefits of Sensory play then I highly recommend that you read the article Importance and Benefits of Sensory Play in Early Childhood by Meraki Mother.
I do a lot of sensory play with my two little ones. A good sensory bin keeps them entertained for a lot longer than most activities I try with them.
The best part about making these sensory lids was that they made tummy time a whole lot easier. Giving my (then) babies something bright and colorful to look at, that also feels funny when they touch it, was a fantastic way to distract them while they were on their tummies.
As my kids were able to sit they still played with the sensory lids. Since they were now able to use both hands to explore they were more interested in the textures and the taste of everything that I had glued onto there.
I learned that I could attach the sensory lids to the fridge door using magnetic clips. In one minute I had (unintentionally) created my own removable sensory wall. We were all thrilled when I stumbled upon that discovery.
Are you going to make some DIY Sensory Lids for Babies? Don’t forget to pin the idea for later
