Ten Thanksgiving Sensory & Therapy Toys - Part 1 - Sensory Doughs

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 2 - More Sensory Toys (Sands, Paints, Bottles, Bags, & Bins) 

Introduction

The upcoming holidays are a time for celebration and the gathering of the extended family from grandparents to grandkids, but it can also be a stressful time due to all the planning, activities, and changes in routines. Sensory toys can be a beneficial addition to the holiday paraphernalia as they are a popular choice when it comes to engaging & stimulating kids as well as Alzheimer's and dementia patients.

​In addition, sensory toys are commonly used as hand therapy for those with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a variety of other hand, finger, or arm conditions. They are also a good source of general stress relief which can be particularly helpful for those feeling frazzled by the holiday frenzy.
 
Here are a selection of various do-it-yourself sensory toys that are inexpensive and easy to make as well as having a Thanksgiving related holiday theme. This includes having pumpkin, apple, cranberry, or mint flavors & scents that are often associated with the Thanksgiving table.

Sensory Dough

Sensory Dough is one of the most popular forms of DIY sensory toys due to its basic recipe using items commonly found around the house.

It has a semi-firm texture similar to commercial products such as Play-Doh and can be easily manipulated by rolling, squishing, or breaking down into parts. This makes it suitable for kid's play, hand therapy, or basic stress relief.

​Dough can be a bit messier to clean than some other more self contained varieties of sensory toys.
​

• Cranberry Dough | Pumpkin Spice Play Dough | Thanksgiving No Cook Sensory Dough

Sensory Clay

---

Sensory Clay tends to be very similar to Sensory Dough (and is used as a synonym in some cases) and shares many of the same features and base ingredients. In general, clay tends to be a bit firmer and less prone to breaking apart than dough.

​Certain recipes are made to mimic modeling clay so that the items created will harden and solidify (either air dry or through baking) into usable decorations (such as ornaments) instead of remaining soft & pliable like dough.
​

• Pumpkin Pie Play Clay [1, 2] | Homemade Play Clay Apples | Vanilla Modeling Clay

---

Sensory Slime

Another popular choice for a sensory toy (particularly amongst children or those with more severe hand dexterity or strength issues) is sensory slime which can often be found pre-made under commercial brands at any stores that general carry toys.

Slimes have a softer & slippier texture compared to doughs, clays, putties, and fluffs and will sometimes leave residues behind.

Like other types of doughs, slime recipes can be edible or inedible depending upon the base ingredients (such as glue, starch, or soap) and often have addition hard components mixed into them (such as seeds, nuts, or plastic toy shapes) to create a more varied sensory experience.
​

• Edible Cranberry Slime | Thanksgiving Explosion Slime | Turkey Thanksgiving Slime

---

Sensory Fluff

Fluff is a softer, creamier, and airier variation of dough that tends to have a more liquid-like consistency similar to slime (usually with the addition of a cream to a normal dough recipe).

Depending upon the recipe, it can leave more of a residue and thus should be used in circumstances where a bit of a mess is fine to make.

Fluff is a particularly good sensory toy for those with more extreme hand strength issues where handling the firmer doughs, clays, and putties is more difficult. Fluff is also a popular choice amongst children and often comes in edible forms.
​

• Edible Marshmallow Fluff | Fluffy Candy Corn | Homemade Thanksgiving Fluff

Sensory Putty & Oobleck

Sensory Putties tend to have a firmer texture with a more liquid-like consistency that tends to stay in one mass instead of breaking into pieces like normal doughs.

The texture of putties, while always malleable, tends to solidify more while being directly manipulated, thus making them the optimal choice when it comes to hand therapy.

In comparison, oobleck's remain in a thickened fluid form while at rest and solidify upon being manipulated. Besides being runnier than putties, depending upon the recipe, oobleck's can also tend to leave more of a residue behind.
​

• Pumpkin Putty | Peppermint Putty | Pumpkin Oobleck | Apple Cinnamon Oobleck | Fall Sensory Oobleck