Guide for Creating a Senory-Enhanced Hula Hoop
Creating a DIY sensory hula hoop for baby tummy time is a fun and engaging way to encourage your little one to enjoy and benefit from this crucial developmental activity. Here's a practical guide, complete with supplies and step-by-step instructions:
## Supplies Needed
- **Hula hoop** (plastic or lightweight, large enough to roll out around baby but not too thick) - **Soft, safe fabrics** (such as fleece, cotton, or felt squares/strips) - **Texture items** (ribbons, pom-poms, fabric strips, crinkly materials, faux fur patches) - **Scissors** - **Measuring tape or ruler** - **Strong glue, fabric tape, or zip ties** (to secure items) - **Optional:** Bells, rattles, or safe plastic mirrors for added sensory stimulation
## Step-by-Step Instructions
1. **Prepare the Hula Hoop** - Clean the hula hoop thoroughly to ensure it’s safe for your baby to interact with. - Measure and cut fabric strips or squares to cover the hoop if desired for extra softness (not necessary if the hoop is already smooth and safe).
2. **Attach Sensory Items** - Use fabric tape, glue, or zip ties to attach an assortment of textured items around the hoop. Space them out so baby can see and touch different things as the hoop rolls. - Attach ribbons, pom-poms, crinkly materials, or faux fur patches securely so they won’t come loose. - Add optional bells or rattles if you want sound stimulation. - If using a mirror, make sure it is securely attached and not sharp or shatterable.
3. **Customize for Tummy Time** - Place baby on a clean, soft surface for tummy time. - Roll the sensory hula hoop gently in front of or around your baby, encouraging them to watch, reach, and try to touch the different textures and colors. - As your baby gets stronger, move the hoop to encourage movement or crawling.
4. **Safety Check** - Ensure all items are securely fastened and cannot be pulled loose. - Never leave baby unattended with the sensory hula hoop.
This DIY sensory hula hoop provides visual, tactile, and (if desired) auditory stimulation, making tummy time more enjoyable for your baby. The more texture, color, and dangly things added to the hula hoop, the better chance a baby will enjoy tummy time.
The sensory hula hoop can be hung on a door knob for display. Large yarn pom poms were added to the hula hoop, and turquoise ribbon was tied onto the hoop at the end. A picture of a baby enjoying the new sensory hula hoop was provided at the end of this article.
For more sensory hula hoop ideas, you can check out the creator's Pinterest board or watch a Facebook live video featuring 3-year-old cuteness. Don't forget to share your own sensory toy-making experiences with us! We'd love to hear if your babies enjoyed tummy time and if they found this DIY sensory hula hoop as fun and engaging as we did.
This DIY sensory hula hoop can be an exciting addition to your home-and-garden decor, serving not only as an attractive piece but also providing a unique lifestyle experience for your baby during tummy time. By adding various textures and colors, you create a stimulating environment that enhances your baby's visual, tactile, and auditory development, making tummy time more enjoyable.
