I know a lot of us are space challenged and have to get creative about fitting as much as possible into what space we have. So I thought I would share two no-floor-space-required and low cost play items we have at Goodwin, the puppet theater and the sensory wall.
The puppet theater folds up into the wall with velcro! I found a picture on Pinterest (link below), and spent a snow day with the sewing machine. I used fabric that had been donated, 3/4 inch velcro, four 1/2 inch dowels, and wood from our scrap bin. Sadly, I couldn’t find a pattern, but if you are handy with a sewing machine and MacGyver-ing, or know someone who is, it’s a pretty quick project.
Next is our sensory wall. The kids love it! We started out thinking a mirror would be fun for dramatic play, which turned into adding 6 sensory blocks and we are now up to 12 blocks because it has been such a hit! We used a 7″ mirror ($2.99) and small wood shapes ($0.99) from Joann’s. Again we raided the scrap fabric bin and came up with teddy bear fur, satin, fleece, corduroy, dotted swiss, and something vaguely like braided rug. The other shapes have googly eyes (they rattle!), pom poms, gems, and fabric paint dots. Everything was either hot glued or attached with jewel tack, and wood shapes are attached to the wall with command hooks picture hanging strips (so we can take them off and wash them), and the mirror is hung with regular command strips (so it can’t come off easily). Super quick, no space needed!
Thank you to Kayla of the Goodwin Library for this post!