Sensory rooms can make a big difference in a child's development . Unfortunately, many families with loved ones who could benefit from a dedicated sensory room often don't feel they have the space or budget to create one.

However, creating an effective sensory space doesn't have to be expensive or require an entire room in your house. Just take a look at the following tips we've compiled to help you build a sensory area that fits your budget.

What are the benefits of sensory rooms?

• help a child feel safe
• engage the senses and provide sensory information (sensory diet)
• improve balance and coordination
• work on fine and gross motor skills
• support therapeutic treatment
• better manage challenging behaviors
• encourage exploration
• increase sensory experiences and tolerance
• Create trust
• increased vocabulary and communication opportunities
• improved relationship with caregiver
• reset the mood
• reduces stress

If you are worried about not having enough space to create a sensory space, we tell you that it is possible no matter how small your classroom or home is.

If you don't have space to dedicate to a sensory area:

• Make a sensory board and keep it under a couch , under a bed, or behind furniture to pull out when needed.
• Create a sensory box full of concerns and tools to calm you down.

If you have limited space to dedicate to a sensory area:

• Make a sensory corner in your classroom , playroom, nursery, basement or living room.
• Use a closet or storage room as a sensory room.
• convert a shed or garage area.

If your concern is more about cost, here are some amazing money-saving tips.

Although sensory rooms can cost thousands if you buy all the equipment. For organizations that have those funds, that's a wonderful option. For the rest of us, there are ways to create a sensory room on a budget.

Low-cost solutions, high-quality experiences.

Now that you have an idea of the size of the space and some ideas for sensory items, it's time for the hard part: figuring out how to make it work with your limited budget. Before you take a hammer to your piggy bank, take some time to look at your wish list and think about alternatives:

• A second-hand portable CD or cheap MP3 player and some portable speakers can work as well as a new stereo. With aging computers that have become too slow, today's apps can also be great for music, and some desktop media players feature relaxing displays that react to whatever track is playing.
• Ball pits are popular sensory items, but they can be very expensive. An inflatable pool with high sides can work well and won't cost much to replace if it gets damaged.
• While some sensory rooms feature swings and trampolines to promote vestibular stimulation, a more cost-effective solution might be a rocking chair or a large Pilates ball .
• Don't be afraid to do a little DIY with some items. Building your own sensory boards or blocks, sensory table or sand and water tubes can be a fun weekend project and will save you a good amount of money. Hanging strands of old beads or textured ribbon is a great idea too!
• Use twinkle Christmas lights , LED net lights, or lava lamps to add an inexpensive glow to your sensory area. A redesigned electric color wheel typically used for old aluminum Christmas trees can also add a relaxing color change to the room.
• If you choose to share a bit of another room , consider purchasing a cheap solid-color fabric and hanging it as a curtain around the area. Giving the child some privacy and making him feel like it's his space could do wonders for his confidence.

Also, don't forget to search the Internet for ideas. Pinterest in particular can be a good place to look for sensory room inspiration when you're looking for affordable solutions for your new space.