Look no further than your kitchen for some Sensory fun!
As therapists we constantly recommend sensory strategies and activities. The kitchen is full of sensory activities that can easily be incorporated into any child’s daily sensory strategies.
Baking is a fun activity that a parent and child can do together. The recipe below will offer opportunities for tactile exploration, olfactory stimulation and more.
Prepare for the activity
Make sure you have a stool for your child to use so that he can reach the counter. You can also move the activity to the kitchen table for a more accessible location and this way the child can sit on a cushion while they help with the baking.
Have your child help gather the ingredients and the necessary tools for baking. Tell them what they are, how they are used and encourage them to smell and taste the ingredients.
Banana Nut Bars (If you or your child is allergic to nuts, you can substitute the trail mix with chocolate chips)
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 2 overripe bananas, mashed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup trail mix
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a 13 x 9 pan and set aside.
- Have your child place the bananas in a resalable plastic bag and mash them using a rolling pin. A great way to provide proprioceptive feedback and bilateral integration.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening until light and fluffy.
- Your child can stir in the mashed bananas and egg and vanilla.
- Mix well.
- Have your child add the rolled oats, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Mix until thoroughly combined.
- Have your child stir in the trail mix.
- Have your child place the mixture in the greased pan.
- Bake just until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool, cut into squares and enjoy!
