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10 Ways to Play with a Laundry Basket

A laundry basket is a versatile learning tool and it’s fun! Try one of these games with your child who is blind or visually impaired. No washing, drying, or folding required.

#1. Laundry basket puzzle

Place favorite toys on the bottom of the laundry basket and string a web of colorful yarn on top of the toys. Your child will have fun twisting and turning their toys or trying to pry them out of the basket. This activity develops reach-and-grasp skills and fine motor skills.

 #2. In and Out

Place socks, pieces of cloth, ribbons, etc. out of the holes of the laundry basket for your child to find and pull out or push into the laundry basket. This activity develops fine motor skills. Use hand under hand strategies to help your child follow the rows of openings from left to right in a systematic way to see if the holes have a surprise to pull out. To encourage your child’s mobility, put the laundry basket at arm’s reach from your child so they have to move toward the basket. If the child isn’t mobile yet, you can stuff an O-ring ball with ribbon or pieces of cloth and let your child play with it on their feeding tray.

#3. Positioning for play

If your baby isn’t quite sitting independently, the corner of the inside of a laundry basket provides a little support (supervised of course!) and may allow him/her to play hands free with a favorite toy. Pool noodles cut to size can be placed as liners for stability.

If your child prefers to lie on their back, fold a small blanket put it on the bottom of the basket as a cushion. Place your baby on their back in the bottom of the basket and tie a rope across the top or slide PVC pipe through the holes to hang toys or kitchen utensils from. Your baby can independently play with toys by kicking or hitting the dangling toys.

#4. Impromptu seating

A laundry basket can be used in the bathtub or wading pool for extra support or impromptu seating.

#5. Pre-cane mobility device

Your toddler can push a filled laundry basket from behind. The basket will bump into obstacles before your child does.

#6. Play basketball

Have your child drop or throw balls into the basket.

#7. Push puff balls

Turn the laundry basket upside down and push puff balls through the hole.

#8. A laundry basket sensory place

Place items in the laundry basket for your child to reach for and feel. Crunchy mylar paper can make a fun sound when your child kicks it or reaches for it. Make your laundry basket a fun ball pit to sit in! Maybe your child prefers fuzzy socks instead.

#9. Tongs, cups, or buckets

Give your child tongs, cups, or buckets to pick up small toys in the bottom of the basket.

#10. Pretend play

A laundry basket can be a bed for your child’s favorite stuffed animal or doll.