Learn how easy it is to turn any stuffed animal plush into a soothing sensory lovey with this weighted toy DIY.
Weighted stuffed toys have a grounding effect. These “heavy helpers” assist those who are dealing with sensory processing issues or trauma. Multiple studies have shown how a weighted toy helps calm the nervous system. Luckily it’s very easy to make these self soothing toys using things you might already have at home! Save a lot of time by using an existing stuffed toy (maybe even one that the recipient already loves!) as a base for your weighted toy DIY.
Weighted Toy DIY Supply List
- Stuffed animal
- Poly-Fil® Poly-Pellets® Weighted Stuffing Beads
- Snack or sandwich sized storage bags with zip closure
- Packaging Tape (optional)
- Seam ripper or small scissors
- Needle & thread
How to Turn a Plush into a Sensory Toy
I created a short video tutorial that explains step by step how to turn any stuffed animal into a comforting weighted toy. This project is so easy and quick to make that you can easily create multiple gifts or enough toys to fill a classroom with! All you have to do is:
- Measure the Poly-Pellets® into small plastic bags. One cup of Poly-Pellets® weighs approximately 1/3 of a pound, so I used three bags to add one pound of weight to my stuffed toy.
- For added safety, place the bag of Poly-Pellets® into a second bag and seal that. You can use clear packaging tape to make sure the bags can’t be ripped open and spill.
- Open one of the seams on the underside of the stuffed toy. Remove some of the stuffing and replace it with the bags of Poly-Pellets®.
- Stitch the opening shut. Other options for closing the seam include velcro, snaps, or a zipper.
The video shows you exactly how to measure, prepare, and seal the Poly-Pellets®, as well as how to fluff up an old stuffed animal before you add the Poly-Pellets. My son loves his new and improved narwhal, and now I think I need to make my own weighted toy!
