Touch and Feel Sensory Sticks

Glue different textures on popsicle sticks for an easy and portable sensory play idea.

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Sensory play is a crucial component of early childhood learning and development. This easy project focuses on touch and feel sensors, which are critical for developing your child’s tactile skills.

To make these sensory sticks just glue different textures on large popsicle sticks. The size of these sticks makes them endlessly portable – throw a few in your bag for trips to doctors’ offices or other appointments. Be sure to supervise your child while they play with the sensory sticks. Use narration to talk about the different textures of the materials. “You found the red stick. That one is rough and scratchy!”

Supplies

• Thick, ¾-inch-wide craft popsicle sticks
• Craft glue
• Strips of material with different textures, such as sandpaper, satin ribbon, a towel, cotton balls, or shiny paper
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
  

Instructions

• Identify six different types of materials, ranging from rough to smooth, shiny to fluffy.
• Cut one strip of each of the materials with the popsicle stick measurement as your guide.
• Glue the strips of material to the popsicle sticks and set them aside to dry. Heavier materials might require a bit of pressure during the adhesion process.
  

Adapted from an article by Rebekah, The Baby Bump Diaries.