Sensory box for 9 month old?

[Tranquility7]

Is it insane to consider making a sensory box for a nine-month old that has rice in it? This is not for my child, but a Christmas present for another family. I wanted to make a sensory box using a small plastic container, rice, and scoops, funnels, spoons, toys, etc. in it.

 

I totally would have let my 9 month old play with it (*supervised*). But is this other mom going to think I'm nuts?

 

If she would think I'm nuts, is there something more appropriate to use as filler? Something bigger but still fun?

[hmvaughan4]

I don't think I would use rice. A few other ideas: shredded paper; Pom poms; cotton balls; packing peanuts.

[swellmomma]

At that age I would not do rice in a traditional sensory bin. Make an I spy type bag for rice play at that age. Sensory items should be safe to eat at that age, so water, pudding, slime(cornstarch and water), if you want fill and pour, use dry cereal like rice krispies or cheerios, just buy the no name big bag and pour it into a bin. Safe to eat, and still sensory experience with fill/pour etc.

[swellmomma]

I don't think I would use rice. A few other ideas: shredded paper; Pom poms; cotton balls; packing peanuts.

 

 

I would use rice before using those with any young child. The choking hazard of either of those is way higher than with rice as they srink down and stick to surfaces like the windpipe.

 

Shredded paper is a huge hit with toddlers but again I would not use it with infants because is generally has ink on it and babes that put everything in their mouths do not need to injest the inks imo.

[theYoungerMrsWarde]

There are some really cool ideas on Pinterest about different things in plastic soda bottles. Some with rice with plastic animals or cars inside, some with sprinkles in water, etc. They can have the experience without the mess or choking worry.

 

ETA: this is what I was thinking of

[lavender's green]

I personally would soooo not appreciate that. For one, my kid was still in the everything-in-the-mouth stage at that age, and for another, I'm the one who would be cleaning up the messes.

[Kathryn]

I personally would soooo not appreciate that. For one, my kid was still in the everything-in-the-mouth stage at that age, and for another, I'm the one who would be cleaning up the messes.

I agree. Sorry!

[swellmomma]

whoops missed the part about this being for someone else's child. In that case the I spy type bag or sensory bottles only. give a sensory experience with no mess.

 

Alternatively you can create a sensory bin of items to use for sensory play the parents chose. So a shoebox size bin with funnels, dry measuring cups, small sieve,little boats for the bathtub, toddler tweezers (lakeshore has ones we LOVE), little ladles and plastic ramikens are used her often for transferring activies etc. paint apron and a box of vanilla pudding for "fingerpainting",etc. All of that can be used on the parent's timetable as they feel ready to deal with the messes etc. And would last the child for years rather than a bin of rice that gets dumped in teh garbage in a month or so.

 

Is the mom into sensory activities at all? My sister is against them completely and my nephew hates to feel dirty so even at 4 he will not finger paint, or touch sand etc. She has never allowed sensory play so we didn't even know he was opposed to it until the preschool started sending home notes of concern about his avoidance of it. If you are not sure of her stance on it I would not send much mroe than bath type toys, or sand toys for the park. But a mom like me that thinks sensory play is very important and love doing it with the kids a great bin to play in would be very well received.

[Chris in VA]

whoops missed the part about this being for someone else's child. In that case the I spy type bag or sensory bottles only. give a sensory experience with no mess.

 

Alternatively you can create a sensory bin of items to use for sensory play the parents chose. So a shoebox size bin with funnels, dry measuring cups, small sieve,little boats for the bathtub, toddler tweezers (lakeshore has ones we LOVE), little ladles and plastic ramikens are used her often for transferring activies etc. paint apron and a box of vanilla pudding for "fingerpainting",etc. All of that can be used on the parent's timetable as they feel ready to deal with the messes etc. And would last the child for years rather than a bin of rice that gets dumped in teh garbage in a month or so.

 

Is the mom into sensory activities at all? My sister is against them completely and my nephew hates to feel dirty so even at 4 he will not finger paint, or touch sand etc. She has never allowed sensory play so we didn't even know he was opposed to it until the preschool started sending home notes of concern about his avoidance of it. If you are not sure of her stance on it I would not send much mroe than bath type toys, or sand toys for the park. But a mom like me that thinks sensory play is very important and love doing it with the kids a great bin to play in would be very well received.

 

I feel so sorry for your nephew. That's the type of kid who should have had a ton of sensory play so he could desensitize.

 

OP, I'd do the bottles that others have suggested.

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[MeaganS]

My daughter is 8 months old and that would be lost on her. She still just puts stuff in her mouth. Maybe some nice bathtoys for playing with the water?

[Tranquility7]

Okay! Thanks, y'all, for bringing me to my senses (no pun intended ;-)) And my cousin thanks you, too! haha I'll get to work thinking of the I Spy bottle version...

[itsheresomewhere]

What about making sensory blocks from fabric for the child? You can do individual ones or large ones with different sides. It won't cost much and are a big hit.