7 Sensory-Friendly Crafts for Children with Autism

Crafts can be sensory fun for kids on the autism spectrum — or a bit of a challenge. People on the autism spectrum sometimes experience sensations differently. They might avoid some sensations because they feel too intense, or seek out others because the intensity feels good. And some people with autism can get lost in a task they enjoy — which can lead to projects lasting longer than you may expect.

However, there are many benefits to doing craft activities with your child. Crafts provide opportunities for them to practice creative problem-solving and fine motor skills. They also offer a variety of sensory experiences. Trying a new craft activity together has many benefits including:

• Discovering what your child likes and dislikes. Be creative and swap out materials that your child doesn’t enjoy. Have headphones ready for possible overstimulation.

• Figuring out how much time your child needs to accomplish tasks. Break the activity into steps and focus on one or two steps at a time. Extend the length of time for the activity if you need to.

• Finding ways to communicate effectively with your child. If your child relies on visuals, point out what to do using photos or graphics as a guide.

• Playing with your child. Creating the same project alongside your child encourages them to explore their creativity and reminds them that mess-ups are part of the crafting journey.

Make a Mindfulness Jar - When kids are upset, it can be hard for them to manage their emotions and quiet their minds. Mindfulness jars can help children slow down as they watch glitter move slowly. Consider using a smaller, more portable jar to take on trips and sealing the lid with hot glue, duct tape, or both.

Make a Guitar Out of Cardboard - Cardboard can be one of those textures that feels strange. Offer your child a pair of gloves if it bothers them. The snapping of rubber bands can create anxiety similar to when a balloon pops. Explain that the guitar may be louder than they expect and that they may experience unexpected vibrations when they play with it.

Tissue Paper Pom Poms - Pom pom garlands can be bright and beautiful. However, children on the autism spectrum may find that they dislike how tissue paper feels and sounds while they fold it. Let your child wear their favorite gloves or headphones to dull that overstimulation. Consider using embroidery thread if the twine feels too scratchy. If possible, have a few string options available so your child can feel the different textures and see how they look. An autistic child might also simply want to play with the confetti the scraps make!

Slime it Up - Slime can be a hit or miss when it comes to people on the autism spectrum who have sensory processing differences. It is a wonderful substance to stim with when it’s the right texture — though only your child knows what the right texture is for them. As Rosie shows us in her Slime Store game, slime comes in many types and colors. Choose a slime recipe that is comfortable for your child, whether a thicker combination using dry clay (also known as “butter slime”) or adding some of their favorite small items like beads or Legos. Make it extra enticing by letting your child pick their favorite color! If your kid is hesitant to use their hands, let them use spatulas to do the mixing.

Build a Sensory Stuffie - You can make a weighted stuffie that looks like Buzz from “Cyberchase” using old gloves. This craft requires cutting squares and circles with scissors, which builds fine motor skills and knowledge of geometric shapes. Choose gloves that your child loved but perhaps became too small for them. The fabric should be a pleasant sensation to your child. If your child is old enough, you can take them to a second-hand store and ask them to choose a pair of gloves that feel good on their skin. Instead of stuffing made of fabric or scraps of paper, use something heavier like dried beans or rice. And if your child likes to line up the beans in rows before they go in the glove, that’s OK! Remember to be patient and have fun.

Catch the Sun With a Nature Suncatcher - Head out into nature like our favorite friends on "Elinor Wonders Why" to collect items for your own suncatcher! If getting dirty isn’t your kid’s thing, they can wear gloves while they gather items from nature. Lean into their favorite colors or try to give them a goal, like assembling a rainbow or finding two different shades of green. Be prepared to spend extra time with the hole punch and stapler. The sensation of snapping through several layers of paper at once is a novelty.

Explore Hot and Cold - AJ Gadgets from “Hero Elementary” has a gadget for everything, including a chill gadget that can make stuff as cold as the Arctic. Pretend to use his cool tool during this craft activity. Try this with some of your child’s favorite foods so they can see that their favorite cheese, when melted, looks different but tastes very similar to cheese at room temperature. Perhaps your child will try their melted cheese on chips the next time you make nachos. It may open up a few more dinner or snack options! Remember to watch children around hot objects to keep from wandering hands.

Crafts are great activities to do with your child to get to know them better. Modifying materials and adjusting steps to fit your family’s preferences is a great way to think creatively together. Check out more PBS KIDS crafts and experiment with modifications to make them enjoyable for your family!