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DIY Weighted Lap Pad

October 19, 2015 By Heather Greutman 22 Comments

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Affiliate and Referral links are used below to promote products I love and recommend. I receive a commission on any purchases made through these links. Please see my disclosure policy for more details.

Today I have Jamie of Miss Jaime OT sharing this great tutorial for a DIY weighted lap pad. Welcome Jaime! 


Weighted items are often requested by teachers to help kids who are fidgety, restless, and unfocused. As
the district OT, I am in charge of keeping track of all our “OT items” and giving them out as needed. One
item that teachers ask for pretty often is a weighted lap pad.

How to make a DIY weighted lap pad for sensory seeking kids.

Weighted items, including vests, lap pads, and neck wraps, are known to help children to focus by providing Proprioceptive input. Proprioception, which is deep pressure touch, is soothing to a child because it can help a child to realize where their body is in space and produce a relaxed, calm feeling.

Since I love to craft and I love a bargain, I decided to create a Do-It-Yourself weighted lap pad. It literally cost $3.00 with items from the Dollar Tree and about fifteen minutes of effort. I like to sew but I'm sure if you are a non-sewer, you could use hot glue. (I haven't tried that so forgive me if it doesn't work).

Here goes!

How to make a DIY Weighted Lap Pad

You need to buy:

  • 2 washcloths or microfiber hand towels (I found these adorable ones with little animals) $2.00
  • 1 bag of beans (the bigger the better) $1.00

DIY weighted lap pad items for kids with sensory seeking needs.

What to do:

1) Line the washcloths up with the seams together. Face the outsides (pretty sides) so they are touching.

This way when you sew the first three sides together, they will be sewed neatly like a pillowcase.

DIY weighted lap pad for sensory seeking kids.

2) Sew the first three sides together with a quick “loop around” stitch. I'm sure that there is a “sewing” name for this, but I don't know it.

DIY weighted lap pad for sensory seeking kids.

3) Tie off your third side with a strong knot. Flip your cloths inside out so the pretty sides (for me that also means the animal faces) are facing out now.

I tried this two ways. First, I put my bag of beans into a zip lock because I wanted to make it less likely that the beans would burst open and make a mess. (Hate messes!) I stuck my beans into the slot and sewed the fourth side shut. DONE! Voila!

DIY weighted lap pad for sensory seeking kids.

But: After I was done, I decided I wasn't really happy with it. The ziplock plus the plastic of the bean bag resulted in a little bit of a noisy, crunchy lap pad. Which could be distracting instead of calming and focusing.

So I decided to make another one- this time no plastic bags. I figured that I'd better just sew the sides really tight to avoid a bean burst. So I went back to the dollar store and the big bag of beans I bought last time were gone, I had to buy two smaller bags. I also decided to try it with a seam down the middle, to keep the beans evenly distributed. This was much better!

DIY weighted lap pad for sensory seeking kids.

1) Start off with your two pretty sides together, sew around three sides.

2) Measure the halfway across the middle mark.

3) Sew a line straight down, separating your pillow into two long sections. Make sure your bags of beans
will fit.

4) Open the bags and fill each section with beans. Sew the top closed.

$3 to $4 bucks for a weighted lap pad! I'm not sure that this is better than/as good as an expensive
weighted lap pad from a catalog, but it's definitely a good way to figure out if your kid or your student
responds to weighted item, so why not try it? Do you have any good DIY crafts? Please share!

DIY weighted lap pad for sensory seeking kids.


jamie-miss-jamie-OTJaime Spencer is a pediatric Occupational Therapist with fifteen years experience in Long Island, New York. She currently works in a public school with students Kindergarten to 5th grade. She also has ten years experience working in a sensory gym with preschool age children.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Adelphi University. She was recently certified in Assistive Technology from California State University Northridge.

Jaime Spencer is the author of the Occupational Therapy blog www.MissJaimeOT.com

Follow Heather | Growing Hands-On Kids's board Occupational Therapy Tips on Pinterest.

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Filed Under: Sensory & Behavior

 

CONTENT DISCLAIMER: Heather Greutman is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. All information on the Website is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for medical advice from a physician or your pediatrician. Please consult with a medical professional if you suspect any medical or developmental issues with your child. The information on the Websites does not replace the relationship between therapist and client in a one-on-one treatment session with an individualized treatment plan based on their professional evaluation. The information provided on the Website is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied. Do not rely on the information on the Website as an alternative to advice from your medical professional or healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment as a result of any information provided on the Website. All medical information on the Website is for informational purposes only. All activities outlined on the Website are designed for completion with adult supervision. Please use your own judgment with your child and do not provide objects that could pose a choking hazard to young children. Never leave a child unattended during these activities. Please be aware of and follow all age recommendations on all products used in these activities. Growing Hands-On Kids is not liable for any injury when replicating any of the activities found on this blog. YOUR RESPONSIBILITY The Website was developed strictly for informational purposes. You understand and agree that you are fully responsible for your use of the information provided on the Website. Growing Hands-On Kids makes no representations, warranties or guarantees. You understand that results may vary from person to person. Growing Hands-On Kids assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions that may appear in the Website.

Comments

  1. Jeanne says

    November 1, 2015 at 10:40 am

    This is so awesome! thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Sue says

    November 2, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    Hi- signed up ,but did not receive the link- just a picture of books-there is no link when you click on picture- Thanks-Sue

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      November 2, 2015 at 4:07 pm

      Hi Sue, Sending you an e-mail with a different link.

      Reply
  3. Deborah from Mommy Crusader says

    November 2, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    I love the cute animals you found to make this with. I have made rice bags in a similar manner, which are used as heating pads. But these sound perfect for just everyday fidgetyness. Thank you for a great idea! 🙂

    Reply
  4. natalie says

    November 16, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    Hello
    Any specific weight?
    Thank you?

    Reply
  5. Crystal says

    January 8, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Love this idea for a SS kid in my life. Any recommendations for the weight for a 7 yo girl with a desire for less input? Wondering if more sections would keep the lap pad even quieter?

    Reply
    • Jaime Spencer says

      February 8, 2016 at 5:17 pm

      Hi Crystal! More sections would probably make it quieter. However, once I got rid of the plastic bag, my lap pad was pretty quiet!

      Reply
  6. Shelley says

    June 5, 2016 at 5:59 am

    Love this. Need to make one for my 6 yo daughter. What weight should I use?
    Cutting up her weighted blanket so using those pellets. She hates her blanket. Going to try make shoulder and lap pads instead. Maybe those will help her…. And her teacher!

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      June 6, 2016 at 10:47 am

      Hi Shelley, here is a good chart with the weight suggestions for weighted blankets. http://www.mosaicweightedblankets.com/choosing-a-weighted-blanket/

      Reply
  7. Jean Perczak says

    July 7, 2016 at 10:29 pm

    I sew and I think this is an awesome idea. I did want to ask a few questions though…
    Are the animal faces distracting to the children?
    And would it be beneficial to add essential oils to the beans before inserting into the cloths?

    Reply
    • Tina Peterson says

      July 24, 2016 at 5:00 pm

      EOs would be beneficial but personally I would add just a few drops to the fabric before giving it to the child. If you put it on the beans before inserting it the oil w just disintegrate

      Reply
  8. Kathrine says

    July 22, 2016 at 11:30 pm

    How do you wash or clean a weighted lap blanket or things like it.

    Reply
  9. Renee says

    August 8, 2016 at 10:21 am

    I am going to try these dish drying mats from the $1 store and mesh laundry bags for the beans!!

    Reply
  10. Anne Nowak says

    October 5, 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Thank you so much for posting this and the reason it works. I made cuddle quilts for several of my neices and nephew (all adults) and they love the “weighted” blankets. They say it helps them relax and sleep better. I am going to make the lap pad for my grandson. Thanks again.

    Reply
  11. sarah dack says

    November 1, 2016 at 6:23 pm

    Wondering about adding lavender essential oils to a rice lap bag for calming. Have you used any essential oils with children?

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      November 1, 2016 at 10:20 pm

      Hi Sarah,

      Yes, you could definitely try that! I use essential oils with my own children, however my daughter also becomes hyper to lavender and my husband does not tolerate it well so I have to be careful with that specific one. Cedarwood would also be another good option that is calming.

      Reply
  12. Tina says

    December 18, 2016 at 1:42 pm

    Thanks. I am making a weighted lap pad for a friend’s 4 year old who has anger outbursts and she believes some ADHD tendencies. I actually bought the weighted beads at Joann using a 50% off coupon and then they had a 20% off coupon off the total order so I think it ended up being about $4 for a 2 # bag I made my bag about 9 x12 inches I think. Just not sure if I should use the whole bag. I read somewhere 5% of their body weight. Like you I think I’m going to do the channels instead of the squares. Thanks for a great tutorial!!

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      December 20, 2016 at 8:18 am

      What a great deal on the beads!! I have heard anywhere from 5% to 10% body weight. But I think it’s always better to start on the lower end, you can always add more. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Megan says

    December 24, 2016 at 9:40 am

    Is there a reason beans are better than rice as a filling? Or pellets or cherry are better than rice? Is it a sensory thing like rice could be poky but rounded fillings won’t be? My mom made rice buddies from old towels when I was a kid so we could heat it up in the microwave as a heating pad. I don’t think it was pokey but maybe for those with a sensory disorder it could be? Just curious if there is a reason?

    Reply
    • Heather Greutman says

      December 27, 2016 at 9:59 am

      I think it is more just personal preference. It make take more rice to get the desired amount of weight too.

      Reply
  14. RHONDA C HARDISTY says

    December 11, 2017 at 11:57 am

    This is great! I will be looking for the pieces to make a few of these for behavior challenged students on my campuses. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  15. Alice says

    January 28, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Does anyone know do the beans make it smell/do they ever go off??

    Reply

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Welcome to Growing Hands-On Kids, a site dedicated to parents, caregivers, educators, therapists or anyone who works with children. My name is Heather and I’m a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant with experience in school-based Occupational Therapy. I use my background to share child development tips, tools, and strategies through hands-on activities. You can read more about me by clicking here. I’m so glad to have you here!

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