Sensory Sunday: Texture Plates

Sensory Sunday: Exploring the world with little fat fingers.

I made some texture plates for Zander, with different fabrics and other random things I found around the house, glued onto paper plates.

Despite how much he hates bubble wrap,and will often cry at the very sight of a whole bunch of the stuff, this plate was a clear favourite. He even ripped it off the plate during his investigations and still didn't react in a negative way. I thought it being stuck down flat made it ok, but he got so intrigued by the bobbles that when he'd got it off it was still interesting and not scary at all.

His other favourite is of course the mirror...which he then had to kiss repeatedly.

Ed loves these plates too and keeps finding moments to ask if he can 'give Zander his plates', then he'll sit with him a play for a bit before tidying them away so they don't get broken. I'll be honest, this whole 'taking care of things and tidying up after himself' is very unlike Ed but I'll enjoy/nurture it while I can.

The plates I made have bubble wrap, cotton wool balls, velvet, denim, cordoroy, towelling, fleece, mirror, fake fur, shiney smooth fabric and a sparkly fabric.

All of these are excellent talking points for different textures.

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Sensory Sunday: Shredded Paper

Sensory Sunday: Exploring the world with little fat fingers.

During a stroke of genius, I decided not to put this all straight in the recycling and thought I'd give Zander some time with it first.

Careful examination...

This is the first time, the very first time, he didn't put it all straight in his mouth. In fact, he never did put any of it in, which is unheard of. He normally gives everything a little taste but not this stuff. Probably helped that he'd just had a massive bowl of poddidge.

Crawling through it makes a good sound.

He thought it was hilarious when I dumped it all on his head, especially when some of it stayed there balanced precariously on his forehead.

Rustle, rustle, rustle.

This week's fun has really made me think about the benefits of sensory and messy play. I tend to save these activities just for Zander; I wait until the bigger boys are at school and then do it. It's nice because lets face it, if I didn't do this, all of Zander's Mummy one-on-one time would probably just be watching me do all the housework and I feel a hell of lot less guilty spending some time cleaning up once I've spent some serious quality time with my little Zander Boo.

But, I wonder...what about the bigger boys? They get one-on-one time with me too, so it's not about that.While we played, it occurred to me how much the boys would love to have a chance to throw this stuff about too and that maybe I should give them an opportunity. For them, even though they are well past the baby exploration stage, it would still be a joyfully sensory exploration of a different kind. Mostly, they'll probably just go completely wild, but it may also be a chance for us to spend some quality time together too. They'd probably love to experience 'silly' mummy for a moment too.

As I expected, it went very well...

Then Nanny came over and got buried alive.

And then we cleaned up together and got the living room back to normal...well...our normal at least.

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Sensory Sunday: Ribbon Box

Sensory Sunday: Exploring the world with little fat fingers.

I saw this idea on Pinterest and it looked so simple, but incredibly effective, I had to try it.
A giant cardboard box and a lot of ribbon later....

I''l be honest, I didn't think he'd be so hesitant about it. There was a lot of staring, delicate ribbon investigation and then he wandered off.

He soon came back when he realised it was the perfect height for cruising.

Then I filled it with toys to entice him inside. He was driven mad by the ribbons as they brushed over his head. It's safe to say he wasn't keen on them being in his face, but he was happy enough when I held them out of the way.

I threw a ball in...this is his 'I got it!' face.

Then he discovered the ribbon ends on the top of the box...

...and that he could pull them out...

When the bigger boys came home from school, they were thrilled to find the box and soon made a 'Zander Den' for him to play in.

I wonder what's next for this box...so many ideas!

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Friday inspiration: Tails Sensory Book

Friday Inspiration: a picture of anything that makes me want to get creative.

While having a little hunt for ideas of sensory toys I could make Zander, I came across this cutey. Sooo much fun :)
My sister actually gave Zander one of these for Christmas and he loves it.

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Monday Make: Pokeball Keyring

Monday Make: This week's project

I made these for the boys and a few other people for Christmas gifts. They're really simple, just felt on felt with a bit of ribbon and a keyring attachment. I used my free machine embroidery foot, hence the wiggly stitching (I still need more practice).

Bean keeps putting his on his belt loops, which is so cute. They're a bit big for a keyring, but perfect for imaginative play.

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Sensory Sunday: Christmas Decorations Tug Box

Sensory Saturday: Exploring the world with little fat fingers.

I wanted to make a tug box, but with a festive theme, so this happened.

It's just a box, wrapped in gift wrap, with some holes poked through. I did my best to find baby friendly decorations but most of them need a careful eye at all times.

He loves it, especially the jangly bells and the corners which are apparently great to suck.

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#tbt: Communications Cuffs

Throw back Thursday: taking a look at stuff I've made in the past.




I made these for my boys years ago and they still play with them. They have so much play value in them, and the boys have such vivid imaginations that they can use them in just bout any game, bringing up  huge variety of characters or information on that little screen, be it batman or a map. It's too cute.
Available here.

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#tbt: Story Stones

Throw back Thursday: taking a look at stuff I've made in the past.

I made these story stones after a trip to the beach using pictures I collected from various magazines.

They're great, lovely to handle, but on reflection, with my wild and boisterious boys, I should of just got Mr Strawberry to cut me some little blocks of wood and stuck the pictures to them because the amount of times I've found the boys chucking these across the lounge is terrifying.

Monday Make: Trouser Patches

Monday Make: This week's project

This week I felt the need to patch up some of the boy's jeans, since they still fit I'm not prepared to throw them away just yet (they must be quite new because I keep having to buy new clothes in bigger sizes).

I didn't want to do ordinary patch ups, so I back the holes with coloured jersey (wondaweb, how I love thee) and handstitched random patterns in coloured embroidery thread.

I don't know how long it'll last but it'll probably be long enough for them to grow out of them.

I wonder how they got holes in...