The Sensory Box: 10 minutes of quiet with a box (daycare trick, ages 2+)

A shoebox, an old T-shirt and five household items – that’s all you need to make a sensory box. A simple daycare trick for 10 minutes of calm, suitable for children aged 2+, easy to make and ready to use again and again.

What you need:

• Shoebox or cardboard box

• Old T-shirt (the sleeve becomes the fabric tunnel)

• 5–8 objects with different textures: chestnut, pinecone, sponge, brush, spoon, felt

How to make it:

1. Prepare (adult): Cut a hole in the short side of the box and attach the sleeve around it.

2. Fill the box (child): Collect, name and place the objects inside.

3. Feel and guess: First describe what you can feel – soft? prickly? cold? – then pull it out and check.

Daycare tips: Keep the sensory box in a permanent place on the shelf and change the contents every week. In autumn, try chestnuts, pinecones and leaves. Children can reach inside whenever they want. Avoid anything sharp or dangerous.

Why it’s more than just a game: The sensory box helps children develop hand perception and tactile awareness – important foundations for skills such as cutting, drawing and writing.