Buzz
The Pop It toy trend has finally answered the age-old question: 'What if bubble wrap could regenerate itself?' Unsurprisingly, it’s incredibly satisfying for both kids and adults.
Originally designed for children with sensory processing disorders, Pop Its have become a global sensation. Their appeal lies in the same inexplicable joy that comes from popping bubble wrap—it’s just fun, no explanation needed. Unlike bubble wrap, however, Pop Its are reusable; you can flip them over and start popping all over again.
Available in various shapes and designs, Pop Its have become collectibles, traded among kids like trading cards. They’ve even made their way into videos by popular TikTok creators. However, their popularity can strain a tight budget. Fortunately, there are plenty of household items that can serve as affordable alternatives to satisfy your child’s sensory needs.
Here are some creative, low-cost ideas to assemble a DIY 'fidget pack' or 'fidget basket' that will impress your child’s Pop-It-loving friends.
A bundle of yarn and basic sewing tools
Yarn is a versatile lifesaver for keeping kids entertained. It’s perfect for creative projects and offers a tactile experience with its variety of thicknesses, colors, and textures. Its softness makes it safe to toss around, unlike harder balls that could cause damage.
Remember playing cats in the cradle as a child? Teaching kids this game with a ball of yarn can keep two children engaged and interacting for hours.
While high-quality yarn can be expensive, bargain bins at craft or fabric stores often have affordable options. Don’t forget to grab Velcro strips, buttons, measuring tapes, and other sewing supplies to add to the fun.
Sponges
I was preparing to clean with a yellow sponge I had opened a few years ago when my 8-year-old son noticed its resemblance to SpongeBob. Excitedly, he asked if he could have it, grabbed his markers, and transformed it into a SpongeBob lookalike. Then, he spotted more sponges in the pack and claimed those too—perfect, since I wasn’t keen on cleaning the bathroom anyway.
Since that day, sponge art has become a staple in our household. My kids have cut sponges into letters and shapes for signs, used hot glue guns to create 3D abstract designs, and even painted textured patterns on paper. They’ve also, admittedly, soaked them and thrown them at each other’s faces. While not ideal, it’s a sensory experiment exploring texture, weight, and size differences when sponges are wet or dry.
Squeezing sponges can mimic the calming effect of stress balls for some. Plus, you can often find colorful sponge multipacks for under $5, making them an affordable and versatile option.
A flashlight
Next time you’re at the grocery store and spot those $2 flashlights at the checkout, grab a couple!
Yes, your child will inevitably shine it in your face—it’s practically a universal rite of passage. But beyond that, flashlights are incredibly useful. They’re perfect for reading or exploring during road trips or camping adventures. Kids can also use them to create shadow puppets.
Flashlights also offer sensory benefits. The rubbery, textured exterior, twistable battery compartment, and clickable button provide tactile exploration. They’re a simple yet functional tool that helps kids understand basic mechanics while being practical to have around.
A gel face mask
You know those gel face masks you sometimes get as gifts from people who don’t know what to buy but subtly hint that you look tired? Well, they’ve now become a kid’s toy!
Kids adore masks and dress-up items, and gel masks are a quirky addition to their collection. At room temperature, they feel warm and squishy. If the mask contains beads instead of just liquid, the texture becomes even more intriguing. When chilled or frozen, the texture changes, and the coolness provides a soothing sensation. It’s a versatile and fun sensory experience.
Magnets and magnet clips
When my 2-year-old twin nieces visited recently, I gathered all the toddler toys I had to keep them entertained. Surprisingly, they ignored the toys and headed straight for the magnet clips on the fridge.
They quickly discovered how to attach multiple clips to their fingers, roaring like lions with their makeshift claws. However, they also learned that clipping them to their noses wasn’t as pleasant.
Magnets offer endless exploration for kids—testing which surfaces they stick to, moving lightweight metal objects like paper clips, and uncovering the wonders of magnetism. Just ensure the magnets are safe and pose no choking risks.
Things that stretch
Last Christmas, my daughter received a bracelet loom as a gift. While she lacks the patience to use it for its intended purpose, she adores the vibrant, stretchy elastic bands it included. She uses them as bracelets, hair ties, and even incorporates them into her art projects. One creative attempt involved linking several bands together, attaching them to her trash can handle, and lowering it down the stairs with a note requesting a snack. Unfortunately, she didn’t consider how the bands’ elasticity would struggle with the added weight, so her plan needs refinement. Still, materials like elastic bands and rubber, which stretch and return to their original form, are fantastic for kids to explore and experiment with.
Magazines
While giving kids magazines might not guarantee a lifelong passion for reading, it can still be a fun and engaging activity. Magazines, especially those with varied paper types, offer a tactile experience for children. Some feature thick covers, glossy finishes, or vibrant images and graphics. Certain issues even include scented samples, adding an extra sensory element. My basketball-obsessed son enjoys cutting out pictures of his favorite players from Sports Illustrated and SLAM to create collages. He’s observed that SLAM’s sturdy, glossy covers make more durable posters compared to the thinner pages of SI.
Food, rocks, seashells, and more
A particularly vivid childhood memory involves a Halloween party in elementary school where we were blindfolded and asked to touch what we were told were brains and eyeballs in a bucket. (In reality, it was cold spaghetti and grapes.) While it was a bit too scary for second graders, the idea that food can serve as a sensory tool holds true. Items like cooked or uncooked noodles and rice offer unique textures, and there are countless creative ways to use food as sensory toys, depending on your tolerance for mess.
Natural objects such as rocks and seashells are also excellent for sensory play due to their diverse weights, textures, and colors. Adding essential oils for scent can introduce a calming element. The key takeaway is that almost any household item can be repurposed for imaginative play. One of the most rewarding aspects of parenting is handing kids a random assortment of items and watching them come up with uses you’d never have thought of.
