The Basket of Squishy Treasures
The teacher pulls soft objects out of a basket one at a time, and children touch them, squeeze them, put them on their bodies and play freely. It's calm sensory exploration with room to choose what to touch and how.
How to play
- Sitting in a circle around the covered basket, the teacher whispers: "There are squishy treasures in here" (1 min).
- The teacher brings out the scarves: we touch them, blow on them, cover our faces and play peekaboo (2 min).
- Out come the foam balls: we squeeze them and roll them along our arms and tummies (2 min).
- Out come the cushions and sponges: we put them on our heads, sit on them, squeeze them with our feet (2 min).
- Free play: each child picks their favorite treasure and plays with it around the room (2 min).
- Put each treasure back in the basket, saying "Bye-bye, treasure" (1 min).
Rules
- We touch treasures gently and never throw them at faces.
- If a friend has a treasure, I take another from the basket.
- At the end, all the treasures go back in the basket.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, bring out one kind of treasure at a time and give each child just one.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, children describe the treasure: squishy, soft, bumpy, cold.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, children come up with two new ways to move with their treasure and show a classmate.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: bring the treasures to the child's lap or wheelchair tray and brush them along arms and face if the child wants.
- Autism: respect that some textures may bother them; let them choose and never force touching.
- Visual impairment: name and describe each treasure as the child touches it, and give them extra time with each.
Learning goals
- Explore textures and soft objects with the body.
- Choose what to play with and how.
- Enjoy a calm group game.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Large basket: 1
- Fabric scarves: 10
- Foam balls: 10
- Small cushions: 6
- Large sponges: 6
Teacher tip
Every object must be large with nothing that can come off: nothing that fits in a mouth. Bring the treasures out slowly and mysteriously; the waiting is part of the fun.
PatioLab has "The Basket of Squishy Treasures" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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