Squish Box: Discovery at Home

Blog, Discovery at Home

Sometimes we have big feelings, and that’s okay!

Join Ms. Nancy at the Kansas Children’s Discovery Center as she shows us how to create a squish box to help regulate those big feelings. Having a comfortable space designed for your toddler specifically, can help them practice dealing with those big feelings. This activity is generously sponsored by our friends at Sunflower Health Plan.

What you need:

  • A large box
  • Pillows
  • A heavy blanket or comforter
  • A calm corner or quiet place to put the box
  • Optional: materials for decoration

Directions:

  1. Find a box large enough for your toddler to fit comfortably inside with blankets and pillows.
  2. Turn the box upside down and cut a cubby hole to go in or out, or leave the box rightside up, with an open top.
  3. Let your toddler choose and arrange the necessary treasures that will “live” inside the squish box.
  4. Write the name of your toddler on the outside of the squishbox where it is large and visible.
  5. Let your toddler hang out in the box!

Ways to expand the activity:

  • The box can stay open at the top or it can be enlarged and covered to become a castle, fort, space rocket or a ship. The project can become a family affair as everyone teams up to help plan, create, build, and test the space.
  • Name your peace palace or hangout space. Everyone will want to visit!
  • Decorate the outside (or the inside!) of the squish box with Rip and Tear Toddler Art or markers

What do they learn?

  • Self regulation. This quiet space was personally designed and outfitted by and for your toddler. Let it become their go-to place for calming or quiet.
  • A squish box is a mini sensory room that can calm or stimulate depending on the need and body position.

Vocabulary

Proprioceptive input or sensory processing. This is our body’s ability to sense where we are in space. Our muscles and joints do the work and connect that awareness to our brain. This affects our self awareness, emotional safety and security.