Emily, from Stafford, shows us how to make sensory butterfiles. Let’s take a look…
What did you do?
I made these sensory butterflies as a tummy time activity for my 4 month old baby.
To make them I used…
-sandwich bags with a resealable top
–pipe cleaners
-different sensory fillings such as water beads, lentils, pom poms in water, strips off a foil blanket, hair gel and glitter. You could use anything you have in your cupboards at home!
I added each filling into its own bag. To make the butterfly shape I pinched the bag in the middle from the top down to create a wing on each side- check you have roughly the same amount on each side. Then use a pipe cleaner to keep it all in place. When you start wrapping the pipe cleaner around, place the bag in the middle of the pipe cleaner and wrap around each end in turn, this way you should end up with two antennae at the top.
It was so simple to make. I had most of the fillings already stored in the bags so just needed to add the pipe cleaner. I also used things I had in my kitchen cupboards!
Do you have any other projects planned?
I also have a toddler who has been pretending to use different things as a screwdriver. He has used the end of my cake mixer attachment and had been pretending to fix things by placing the end on a screw in a door frame or on the back of his toys. So I’m going to make him a tinkering table/ activity where he actually use the real tools. This will be an activity under supervision with either me or his Dad but I think he will love it!
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
I have two boys aged 4 months and 20 months. I am currently on Maternity leave after having my youngest at the start of lockdown in the UK. I am an Early Years Phase Leader and Reception class teacher.
@inspoforplay
Do you have any tips for other parents?
Recently my toddler has been loving stickers or colouring. You can pick sticker packs up for less than £1 but so good to have in the house to put out when little ones need a focus.
What are your family’s favourite board game(s)/card game(s)?
During lockdown we have loved Bingo, Monopoly (not sure if we’ve ever finished a game- but it’s a classic!) and Pop up Pirate!
What are your children’s favourite books?
At the moment my little one loves…
–Stickman by Julia Donaldson
–What the Ladybird Heard (and all the sequels!) by Julia Donaldson
–There’s a Dragon in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
What toys would you recommend to other parents?
My little one loves Fireman Sam and Postman Pat at the moment he also loves his Happyland Train.
Has this website and community helped you?
I think it’s great that there are so many ideas all in one place. There’s so much inspiration for activities, recipes and DIY projects etc. It can be so hard to think of new exciting things when you are at home everyday so this website is a perfect place to search for something new to try.
