Sensory-Friendly Crafts for Fall

You may be surprised to see that your neighbors have already decorated their homes with pumpkins, creepy ghosts, and cobwebs! Though it feels as if summer has just ended, autumn is here. As the temperature drops, you may be looking for some fun indoor activities.

People can benefit greatly from creating different crafts, and it’s actually a tool that many Occupational Therapists use to improve on sensory skills. It can also benefit social skills, fine motor skills, and allows for bonding between caregivers and children. 

A study by the North American Journal of Medicine and Science discovered that many children with autism found an easier time staying engaged if their special interests or abilities were involved. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you mold your activity around your child, and what they love to do. The same study also dictated that children with autism go for crafts and games based on sensory feedback that they enjoy—so it is good to explore different sensations to see what your child may enjoy. 

Here are some fall-friendly, sensory-friendly crafts you can create with your child. 

Finger Paint a Turkey:

Items Needed: paint, blank paper/canvas, hands

For children who dislike paint on their fingers, wearing latex gloves is a great way to do this. Additionally, you can easily create non-toxic paint at home using flour, water, and food coloring. Again, keep your child's preferences in mind.

Create a Spooky Sensory Bottle: 

Items Needed: bottle with lid, glue, glitter, food coloring (optional), room temperature water, small toys. 

This is a great way to include all your child’s interests; you can add drops of their favorite color or include their favorite small toys in the bottle. Simply put all of the items into a bottle, and shake! Orange and black glitter, along with tiny pumpkins is a great way to make the bottle Halloween-themed! Don’t forget to color the water purple or green to create a little monster! This is also incredibly suitable for children with autism because you can choose how much or how little goes in the bottle, and fit their sensory needs. 

Decorate Pine Cones: 

Items Needed: pinecones, paint, stickers, glitter.

As fall approaches, there will be no shortage of pine cones on the ground! Pine cones are known to be sensory rich, due to the fact that they have their own texture and deep colors. Allowing your child to feel these and explore different ways to decorate them will allow them to explore their sensory preferences, and allow them to work on their fine motor skills. They can paint the pinecone(again, non-toxic paint can be created using flour, water, and food coloring), add glitter to it, or even put stickers on it. 

Try these fun, cozy crafts with your children and bring on the autumn spirit!