Heavy Work with Soft Toys and a Laundry Basket. Sensory Motor Activities for Home!

Do you have a laundry basket?  or a box? 
Do you have some soft toys around the house? 

Then you are all set to encourage your children today with some easy to implement, engaging "heavy work" activities! No fancy toys or equipment today!
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But first... Why should my kids do these activities?  What benefit can activities like these have on my child? 

Proprioception tells us about the movement and position of our bodies.  It is sometimes called "position sense" or "muscle sense" as information from receptors in our muscles and skin help to inform us of where are body parts are in space, how they relate to each other, how much and how quickly they are stretching, the speed and timing of movement as well as the amount of force exert.  Proprioception helps us to be aware of our bodies and directs our motor control and planning. 
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"Heavy Work activities" are described as any activity that engages the muscles and joints of the proprioceptive system (Miller, L.J. 2006). Heavy work is a vital component of a healthy sensory diet. Activities that engage more or bigger muscles can have the biggest effect on a child's behaviour.  They can help with arousal, calming and organising a child's sensory system. 

We live in a more sedentary society where movement and physical activity needs to be intentional.  Lets create more opportunities for movement at home!  

Back to the laundry basket and soft toys! 

These activities were collated to incorporate lots of push, pulling, throwing, bending and stretching actions.  Work on increasing the weight your child can manage.  You could add blankets or cushions to your basket. Whenever you can include weight bearing (getting your child to use their own weight) then do it, as this builds core strength and helps with body awareness.  Incorporate pretend play as you use soft toys together with a laundry basket. 

Watch the video below (or use this link... ​youtu.be/mcVOIfogD0s) for all the activities!

Read more about activities you can incorporate into your child's sensory diet 
---> Sensory Diet Blog Article
---> Sensory Diet Activity Guidebook (ebook)

Coming Soon!  I'm working a sensory diet implementation bundle which will include the Sensory Diet Activity Guidebook and some great new resources to help you plan your child's sensory diet.  Make sure you stay in touch via the e-newsletter or social media (IG or FB) so you don't miss the launch.  I'll be giving some away too!

What is your child's favourite pretend play activity at the moment? Can you incorporate a laundry basket and soft toys? 

Cindy is a registered occupational therapist practising in Sydney, Australia.  She has two growing children who are a constant source of inspiration and learning.  Cindy loves working creatively to help children to reach their potential, finding opportunities in everyday living and making learning fun. She is also addicted to making printables (even when they take a long time to complete).  Cindy is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog Your Kids OT.  Read more articles from Your Kids OT at https://www.yourkidsot.com/blog

Cindy is a member of the Functional Skills for Kids Therapy Team.  They have together published THE HANDWRITING BOOK, THE SCISSORS SKILLS BOOK and THE TOILETING BOOK.

​The information on this site is general in nature. The activities are safe for most children, however, you should consult an Occupational Therapist or health professional to address specific movement, sensory or other medical conditions. Affiliate links are used throughout this website to promote products I love and recommend. I receive a commission if any purchases are made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.
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Reference: 
Miller, L. J.  (2006). Sensational kids: Hope and help for children with sensory processing disorder. London;: Penguin Books Limited.