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!

3-2-1 Contact



Hands and feet on the contact paper in our kitchen.
The carpet didn't work well because I didn't tape it
down very well. The vinyl worked great and this is
about a 3 foot piece taped down where their hands
and feet are.



One thing that I have not tried with my kids but I have read about is getting some contact paper and allowing your child to walk on it with their bare feet. Some kids really love the sticky sensation and others like the noise. For a different feel you can use socks, tights or shoes. You can try different body movements like crawling across it or rolling across it. You can then examine all the things the contact paper collected from your socks and clothing. To get it to stay down you can use masking tape or some other tape and tape it to the floor. (Masking tape tends to work best on carpets.) Be sure to secure it very well. I happened to do what I called a sticky runway for them to run on since my son stims in a straight line. It ended when the tape gave away and they were tangled in it which was even more fun. Thankfully it didn't get in my daughter's hair!