Treasure baskets - sensory discovery baskets
I love treasure baskets! And they're irresistible to children too. A treasure basket is a sensory discovery basket. It's a great way to teach your child how different materials feel.
What is a treasure basket?
A treasure basket is a small basket filled with sensory materials to explore. These can be everyday natural and household items. Or, as I often do, various sensory toys. A treasure basket is most interesting when it contains items of different shapes, textures, weights, and colors.
If you're allowed to touch all sorts of different materials with your hands, you'll learn how they feel. Rubber, leather, metal, wood, fabric, stone. They all feel and weigh differently. If your child is never allowed to touch these things, they won't learn how they feel.
You can start using a treasure basket once your baby is playing on their tummy or sitting for a while. For tummy time, it's important that your baby can push up properly and hold their head up. Of course, you can also start at a later age. Around age 2, my children started to find treasure baskets less interesting. What do you put in a treasure basket?
Check all items before offering them. Are they age-appropriate? Are they intact, free of loose parts, and sharp? Also, don't overload a basket. Three to five items at a time is sufficient.
A sensory bag
Toy cars
Shower puff
All kinds and sizes of balls
Play side
Small cardboard book
Animals
Small cuddly toy
Metal egg cup or other small container
Baby hand kite
Ladle
Musical instrument
Wipes
Brush or dishwashing brush
Blocks of all kinds and makes
I hope I've inspired you to make a treasure basket for your little one. Have fun with it! You and your little one!
