How to Make a Sensory Curtain

Transform a cookie sheet into your child's favorite toy!

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Children with blindness or visual impairments use all their senses for learning. Ordinary household objects that vary in texture, weight, smell, sound, and color are perfect “toys” for engaging the senses.

This easy-to-make sensory “curtain” is a great example of a simple toy that has color, sound, and texture. An easel works perfectly for holding the sheet upright on the tray of a chair or stander so your child can look for and touch the beads.

You can also experiment by attaching other materials on a cookie sheet, like Slinkys, curling ribbon, or kitchen utensils. You can find all these materials in your home or at the Dollar Store.

Materials

• 9 x 13-inch, rimmed cookie sheet
  
• Wooden 12-inch ruler
  
• Black tagboard or cardstock, cut to fit the cookie sheet
  
• Mardi Gras beads in a variety of colors
  
• A steering wheel cover, in a bright color such as red or rainbow
• Craft glue
  
• Velcro squares (optional)
  

Instructions

1. Glue the tagboard or cardstock to the cookie sheet. A black background provides contrast to the beads and reduces glare.
2. Cut the beads into nine-inch strands to fit the inside of the cookie sheet.
   
3. Glue each strand to the wooden ruler.
   
4. Attach the ruler to the inside of the long edge of the cookie sheet with either craft glue or Velcro squares.

Other Ideas