No Mess Collage

While I don't have a sensory avoider I know of some kids who are and seeing I haven't confined this to any sort of therapy but just in general therapy type things or solutions for tapped out moms. As I come across ideas for avoiders I try to post them although they may be something that won't fill my son's particular needs.
One thing that can get very messy... and sticky is glue. Sometimes doing artwork for these kids is just too much because of all the sticky things that are involved. So if you should happen to try to do a craft that is going to involve glue of some sort you can replace the glue with clear contact paper. The kids place the contact paper on the table and put what they want glued down on the contact paper and it sticks. Then take another piece of contact paper and place over. If you didn't line it up correctly then you can cut around the edges to make sure there is no sticky surface.
Of course, some kids will avoid the sticky feeling all together and in that case rather than having them put the items on the contact paper. Give them a regular piece of paper and put their design on the regular sheet of paper and then cover that paper with contact paper for no mess or sticky sensation!

Edible Dyed Noodles

One of the things I am VERY cautious about is things that are toxic when it comes to my kids. Due to oral sensory issues even at the age of 5yrs old they are putting things in their mouths. Needless to say when I wanted to dye noodles or rice I couldn't until I came across this recipe for dyed noodles that doesn't take rubbing alcohol but vinegar! Good thing because my kids decided to eat some later! They were pretty colorful. (These also can be used in a sensory bin or the rice can.)

Materials:

1tsp or less vinegar (the LESS the better)

food dye

noodles or white rice

Snack ziplock bags

Directions:

Step #1

Pour some noodles into a snack ziplock bag. I used about 1/2 a teaspoon vinegar and about 8-10 drops of food color.

Step #2

Seal it closed and then squish or shake until the noodles or rice are all colored. We double bagged them when the kids squished them. We reused the baggies and did it again with some other colors and noodles. (The best balanced coloring are on noodles such as macaroni or elbow noodles that can rub against the edges of the bag or rice, otherwise it's more or less the edges that get colored on other noodles.)

Step #3

You take it and place it on wax paper, parchment paper, a cookie sheet or whatever to allow to dry. Spread them apart while they're wet or they'll stick to one another. Here's some of our pictures.