Weighted Blankets DIY

Happy Weekend! Today I wanted to feature one of my favorite homemade classroom supplies. A sensory blanket! Before school started I had been on the search for a quality weighted blanket for a new student who has difficulty sitting at morning meeting. I thought a weighted blanket would help stabilize her and give her the sensory output she needed (and IT WORKED)!

I couldn’t find a great product for a great price so I started researching how to make my own. My Nana ( master seamstress) and I combined a couple of different types to make our own product. Here’s what we came up with!

HERE’S HOW:

– Grab 2 equal size pieces of a fabric of your choice. I chose fleece fabric, because of it’s soft sensory qualities, in a fun non gender specific print 🙂
– A mixture of navy beans and pinto beans. I used two bags of each per lap blanket. ( I made two for my classroom)
– Sew 3 long rows into the blanket
– Fill the bottom level and sew off, creating a grid ( see pics above)
– fill next level and sew off and so on…!

I allow my students to choose these sensory blankets as a reward,  or keep them on their laps during morning meeting, small group, or story time. The fun fabric keeps them wanting more, they aren’t even aware of the benefits!

That’s all for now,
Miss. Alyssa