Interactive Sensory Activity Panel for Kids
We love watching little ones have fun as they play and discover new things, so today we’re making an activity panel they’ll love.
Project preview
This video is for members
Join Lulu Ferris to watch the complete class and sew along at your own pace.
What you’ll make
Create a soft, padded sensory activity panel with tactile and fastening activities for young children to explore.
The panel includes fringe, buttons and buttonholes, a buckle, a snap hook, snaps, zippers, movable wooden beads, a pocket, and a removable padded star with a bell and hook-and-loop fastening.
What you’ll learn in this class
- Stabilize small straps and activity pieces with interfacing.
- Sew and open a machine-made buttonhole.
- Attach buttons, snaps, buckles, and a snap hook.
- Apply zippers and hook-and-loop tape to activity zones.
- Create padded activity shapes and a bell-filled star.
- Arrange, reinforce, pad, and finish the complete panel.
Make it your own
The class uses coordinated red, navy, and white Mickey-and-Minnie-inspired colors, but the layout is a starting point. Change the palette and motifs to suit the child.
You can add or remove zippers, buttons, hook-and-loop pieces, ribbons, or trims. The panel can remain softly padded as demonstrated or be made firmer with additional structure.
For a four-step buttonhole demonstration, see the Marina Skirt or drawstring bucket bag class.
Panel size
The PDF specifies two base pieces measuring 52 × 37 cm, plus batting. It also maps and measures the individual activity zones.
This is a detailed, multi-step class rather than a difficult one. The included PDF provides the activity layout, star pattern, measurements, and material list.
Pattern & materials
Patterns are included with membership
Active members can download every available PDF and materials list.
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