Looking for a fun, hands-on craft project that’s easy to set up and sure to be a hit in any setting? Our Sensory Tubes Craft Kit offers an engaging way to boost creativity, relaxation, and provide multi-sensory exploration for all ages. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through each step for your group to create their own sensory tube. This activity is perfect for afterschool programs, recreational centers, and senior living facilities, as it provides both a calming and interactive experience for participants.

Sensory tubes are more than just funn – they encourage self-expression and help reduce stress, making them ideal for diverse age groups and settings. Kids in afterschool programs will love the opportunity to experiment with colors and textures, while adults in senior living communities can enjoy a soothing, therapeutic activity that boosts mood and cognitive engagement. Let’s dive in and explore how easy and enjoyable it is to make sensory tubes that sparkle, swirl, and calm the mind!

Sensory Tubes Craft Kit includes:

• 5″ Tubes with Lids (12 total)
• Shells
• Sequins
• Fish beads
• Glitter
• Watercolor Paint
• Window Cling Paint
• Instructions

Additional Supplies:

• Water
• Paper towels
• Paint Pipette
• Glue

Set Up

Everyone in your group should have 1 sensory tube, 6 shells, 6 sequins, 6 fish beads. The glitter, liquid watercolor and window cling paint can be shared among the group.

Instructions

Step 1) Start by unscrewing the lid from your sensory tube and setting it aside.

Step 2) Now, gather your shells, sequins, and fish beads – about six of each – and drop them into the empty tube. Add a few shakes of glitter for an extra sparkle.

Step 3) Carefully fill the tube to the top with water (you can reverse this step with Step 4 if desired. We wanted to see how it looked with clear water!

Step 4) Carefully add 1 to 2 drops of blue liquid watercolor. You can drop it in from the bottle, or use a paint pipette.

Step 5) Screw the top on tightly, and watch as the color swirls around for sensory fun!

OPTIONAL: If you want to make sure there are no leaks, you can apply a thin line of strong glue around the inside rim of the lid before screwing it back on tightly. Once the lid is secure, wipe away any excess glue and give it some time to dry.

Step 6) Using a window cling paint squeeze tube, carefully draw seaweed lines up the outside of the tube, reaching toward the curved top. Allow the paint to dry, and you’ll have a beautiful underwater scene ready to be explored!

Multi-Sensory Benefits

Creating sensory tubes with this craft kit engages multiple senses, making it an immersive, multi-sensory experience. Here’s how each sense comes into play:

1) Visual Sensory Stimulation

• Colors and Movement: Participants use the colorful fish beads, glitter, and watercolort to create visually stimulating patterns. As the tubes are tilted or shaken, the items move and swirl, creating captivating effects that hold attention.
• Transparency: The clear tubes allow participants to observe the contents, enhancing visual curiosity as they watch how materials like glitter and sequins settle or float, depending on the tube’s orientation.

2) Auditory Sensory Stimulation

• Sound of Movement: When the tube is shaken or rotated, beads and shells make sounds. This noise can provide a calming effect, especially for those who enjoy auditory stimulation.
• Variety in Sounds: Different materials produce different sounds – beads may clink softly, while sequins may make a more muted noise. This variation can be interesting and relaxing for participants as they experiment with different fillers.

3) Tactile Sensory Stimulation

• Texture of Materials: Participants can feel a range of textures when handling the materials that go inside the tube, such as textured beads and shells, adding a tactile layer to the experience.
• Tube Manipulation: The act of filling the tube, shaking it, and holding it engages the hands and fingers, providing tactile feedback. This hands-on element is particularly beneficial for children and seniors, as it helps with fine motor skill development and can be soothing.

Together, these sensory elements make the sensory tube craft an enriching and calming activity, perfect for various settings where participants can benefit from multi-sensory engagement.

Video Instructions

Additional Ideas:

1) For a slower moving sensory tube, try using mineral oil instead of water as the liquid. But remember, the blue watercolor paint will not dissolve in mineral water, so the appearance would be clear water instead of blue.

2) Window cling paints can be purchased in many colors to decorate the outside of the jar in any theme or style.

3) Make different themes. Instead of using the blue coloring, leave the water clear and add trinkets to make any one of these theme ideas:

• Valentine hearts, red plastic beads and sequins
• Spring flowers, using small silk flowers
• Sports equipment and a small banner decorated on the outside
• Patriotic, using small plastic flags, red, white and blue, sequins, beads
• Fall leaves, sequins and pumpkin beads
• Christmas beads and sequins
• Snowflake sequins, blue water, snowflake beads, white glitter