Stimulate the five senses with a tactile mat! An easy-to-make DIY sensory mat
A sensory mat is said to stimulate the five senses through the sensory nerves in children’s soles and promote brain development.
It’s also known as a sensory mat or a sensorimotor mat.
Because kids can enjoy touching a variety of materials indoors, it’s perfect not only for babies during their tummy time or crawling stage, but also for toddlers who’ve just started walking!
In this article, we’ll share plenty of ideas on how to make these sensory mats and fun, unique ways to play with them.
You can easily make a sensory mat using everyday materials or items from the dollar store!
Kids can enjoy them with their feet of course, but also by touching with their hands, lying down, and engaging their whole bodies!
Use the ideas introduced here as inspiration, mix and match your favorites, and create your very own original sensory mat to play with!
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balloon mat
When kids play with balloons, many of them end up standing or sitting on them.
But then the balloons pop right away, which is disappointing.
So why not make a no-pop balloon mat? Just fill a compression bag with inflated balloons and remove the air—that’s all it takes, and anyone can do it easily.
On a balloon mat, you can lie down or jump around and the balloons won’t pop easily.
The kids are sure to have fun with it.
The key to making it stronger is to remove the air thoroughly!
In conclusion
There were so many ideas for fun, tactile mats that kids can’t resist touching.
Of course they’re great for play, but we also recommend placing them along children’s usual routes at home to incorporate them into daily life.
If you make them based on interlocking mats, you can connect or separate them to expand the ways to play.
Try making them with a variety of materials!