DIY Life

Spend any time in an early childhood classroom, and you'll see kids flocking to the "sensory table," usually a large tub filled with sand, water, or any number of materials to give kids a tactile experience. Not only does this kind of play give young children the sensory experience they need, it keeps them engaged for a really long time.

Toy stores sell sand tables and sand/water tables, but they're usually in the neighborhood of $75 and up. Boing Boing (via Parenthacks) had a much less expensive and more versatile solution recently -- under-the-bed storage boxes.

Fill these long, flat tubs with sand and a few toys, and your child will play for hours. When they're finished, sweep up the overflow and roll the whole thing back under the bed. Genius! You can either rotate what's in your sensory tub, or have two or three waiting under there. Other great sensory experiences include dry beans, rice, water (supervise well and dump out after each use), and in the winter, snow.

Of course, nothing beats outdoor play for a sensory experience. But when it's too hot/cold/rainy to go outside, these under-the-bed sensory boxes are sure to be a hit!