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Sensory rugs are so great for children’s learning and very beneficial for their development. Children are usually very attracted to sensory rugs that stimulate their senses with different textures and colors. The great news is that DIY sensory (massage) rugs are easy to make at home and are very affordable. They make the child’s playtime fun and exciting. These are great for baby and toddler room setups.

Maria Montessori was one of the first educators who noticed a connection between sensory stimulation and brain development. One of the main attributes of Maria’s success to help children reach their potential and achieved great results is her emphasis on sensory stimulation. She utilized children’s senses to teach concepts of mathematics, language, and science.
DIY sensory rugs have great advantages, they:
- stimulate senses
- children LOVE them
- no to a minimum cost
- benefit brain development
- have a calming effect
- beneficial for their general well-being
- great for children with sensory processing issues
- easy to store
- great for exploring different textures
The exciting news is that you already probably have everything you need to create a beautiful sensory rug for your child.
Here are some ideas for materials you can use to create sensory rugs at home:
- sponges
- beans, seeds, peas
- pebbles
- rocks
- plastic lids
- pencils
- straws
- сurtain rings
- bamboo mats
- pegs
- corks
- marbles
- beads
- buttons
- fabrics
I found these gorgeous examples of sensory rugs made by creative Russian mamas:

Handmade Massage Rug BabyBlog.Ru by Liza Source

Massage Rug – Forest Meadow – Strana Mam Source

Handmade Massage Rug – Baby.ru source

Our Massage Rug – BabyBlog.Ru – Albina source

Handmade Massage Rug – Deti.mail.ru – Evgenija source

Massage Rug – Strana Masterov source

Massage rug – “Magic forest” – Karapuzka.blogspot.com source

Pebble massage rug – Nauka Remonta source

Handmade crafts – Baby.Ru source

Handmade developmental rug – Yarmama.Ru source

An idea for a developmental rug – “Road” – Live Internet.Ru source

Sensory Playmat by Popeline Co. Choose the fabric that feels best for you on touch.
Use a glue gun to glue hard objects or sew soft parts to create your sensory rug. Please note that these rugs are not recommended to use with children who are still in the mouthing stage of their development in case any of the elements get loose.
I hope you were inspired! I invite you to check out these great sensory toys and materials.
Sensory Activities - Children's Books and Learning Resources
Extensiones para la Torre Rosa y Escalera Marr�n Montessori – Tarjetas para imprimir – Creciendo Con Montessori
Montessori Constructive Blue Triangles Activity Set
Knobless Cylinders Extensions: A Montessori Print Shop Review
Montessori Sensorial Variations & Extensions for Knobbed Cylinders & Color Tablets
Imprimible: 12 extensiones para la Torre Rosa - Printable: 12 Pink Tower extensions • Montessori en Casa
Making Montessori Ours
sensorial extension cards – what I made this week
Five Senses Spring Photographic Cards for Sorting Montessori Nature
Colors of Spring Sorting Cards Printable
I Have, Who Has Math - 2D Shapes and Colors
I Have, Who Has Math Game - 3D Shapes and Real World Objects
Educational Materials For Children With Vision Impairment
Our Amazing Human Body Parts Of The Body Cards
Christmas Themed Knobless Cylinder Extensions
Montessori Printable for Preschool Children Colours in Nature
2D Shapes in Nature Printable - Nature Curriculum in Cards - Montessori
Five Senses Photographic Cards for Sorting Montessori Nature
Color Cards for Sorting with Insects Montessori Nature
Music Preschool Pack - "I am a Musician"
Types of Butterflies - Color Identification Clip Cards Montessori Printable

Love the look of the pebble rug for me! Bet the kids would love it too 🙂
🙂 sounds good to me too!
Oh wow, these are gorgeous! My kids would love one! Getting the creative itch….
Thank you, Danya! 🙂
What a wonderful collection of rugs. My daughter would love the road one.
Thanks, Melissa!!
did i miss how these were made? what holds them together to prevent then from coming apart? 🙂 i am very interested in making these and am excited to start. 😀 I just don't know what is needed to prevent the items from being removed by little curious hands. this is for a sensory room. Thank you.
Sorry for delayed response!Some choose to sew materials, some use glue guns. I hope it helped!
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