A wooden sensory basket is a homemade baby toy that’ll keep your infant busy for months! It’s super simple to put together and it also makes a great Christmas gift too.
But buying a set of wooden heuristic play items to add to your baby’s treasure basket isn’t cheap! You also don’t get a lot of objects either.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of safe wooden items you can add, for half the price! So you can create a fun toy for your little one to explore and discover. Without spending lots of money. We’ll also share some play ideas and ways you can use it with your infant too.
Before we share our list, let’s first talk about sensory baskets and treasure baskets in more detail.
What Is a Sensory Basket?
A sensory basket is a basket full of natural items for babies to play with and discover. These toys and objects encourage infants to use all their senses to explore. For example, items of different sizes and shapes for them to look at. Things that have different textures for them to feel. And objects that make loud and quiet noises to stimulate their hearing.
How Does a Wooden Sensory Basket Help My Baby’s Development?
A DIY wooden sensory basket will help your baby’s physical and cognitive development. As well as other areas of their learning too. Exploring the basket will encourage them to:
- Become more independent
- Learn about cause and effect. For example, this makes a loud noise if I drop it
- Test out ideas
- Improve their physical skills like grasping objects and using a pincer grip
What Wooden Treasure Basket Items Should I Use?
Did you know that the original treasure basket had over 80 items in it? You don’t need to include that many, but the more you add, the better.
So here’s a contents list of 20+ safe and natural objects that your baby will be able to explore risk-free. You may already have some of them at home!
- Wooden spoons
- Wooden rings
- Teethers
- Paintbrush (new)
- Comb
- Face brush
- Scoops
- Different sized bowls
- Honey dipper
- Balls
- Spools
- Wooden disks
- Egg cup
- Wooden egg
- Wooden pegs
- Grasping beads
- Lemon reamer (check the end isn’t sharp)
- Small rolling pin
- Wooden spatula
- Blocks
- Peg dolls
- Wooden nail brush
- Tongs
If possible, wash all objects before adding them to your baby’s wooden sensory basket. Add them to the basket once they’re dry and let your little one play.
Wooden Sensory Basket Play Ideas and Activities
The true purpose of a treasure basket is to let your baby explore and discover natural items on their own. And whilst they’re in a seated position. So try to encourage them to do this.
Make sure you sit next to your baby whilst they’re playing. But try not to guide them by rooting through the basket and giving them different things to touch. I know this is easier said than done!
Try adding a spider web to your baby’s wooden sensory basket. Keep all the objects in the basket. Then thread string through the holes on the side of the basket. Finish by tying the two ends together.
Your child will love the challenge of weaving their way through the web to get the objects. This is also a great activity for 1 year old toddlers too!
A change of scenery can be good for both you and your baby. So why not let your baby play with their wooden sensory basket in the garden? It’ll add variety to your day. And the fresh air will help them sleep!
Conclusion
A wooden sensory basket is one of the best homemade toys you can make for a 7 month old+ baby. This activity not only entertains them. But it also helps their learning. Especially their physical and cognitive development.
A set of wooden heuristic play objects can be expensive. So try to buy the items individually or see if you already have some at home. It’ll cost you half the price and you’ll be able to add more to your infant’s basket.
Remember to use smooth, wooden objects without toxic paint or varnish. And always wash and dry the items where possible.
Don’t forget to take lots of videos and photos of your child playing with their basket. You’ll love looking back at the memories!
Want to Learn More About Treasure Baskets?
Take a look at our other post – How to Start Treasure Basket Play With Your Baby.
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