DIY Shakers

This simple activity is not only a great sensory activity, but also for toddlers and chidlren’s fine motor skills. When M was a very small baby I made my own DIY sensory shaker with some old buttons, a bell from a Christmas ornament and a few colourful pom poms. That shaker is still something that they both use to make music and play with. So I decided to let my toddlers make their own.

Set Up

So it really is just a case of what you have at home. Anything works as long as it fits through the neck of the bottle. I chose objects that would make a good rattle; beads, buttons, pasta and lentils. But also objects that would be colourful and shiny; feathers, pom poms, and cut up survival blanket. The bottles and the old bubble wand were objects I have rescued from the recycling for an activity.

The girls as ever were keen to get started and as F had enjoyed the lentils so much in one of our other activities this week; Tactile Tiger Masks, she went straight for the lentils. Both were concentrating on fitting items into their chosen containers. M was very discerning over what she wanted to put in. F quickly wanted to move onto a second shaker and wanted one of the shakers I had previously filled so everything got poured out. M of course wanted a second shaker too.

F all of a sudden asked for “water” and wanted to put it in the bottles. I thought this was a great idea. However, before the water went in, I did quickly take any pasta out. M of course, wanted water in one of her shakers too. After explaining why, I left her to remove the lentils and pasta from her shaker. The shakers looked great and they enjoyed taking them inside and having a dance, With babies you could make the shaker for them whilst they watched and listened to all the colourful items plopping in. And then of course letting them play with their own personalised shaker,

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