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Montessori Fabric Box

If you are a looking for an easy sensorial tray, STOP! because you have now found it.

I am almost hesitating to make a DIY tutorial for this fabric box because of it's simplicity but it must be done! Simple does not mean less important or not worth doing. It means another great work on your shelf sooner!

This sensorial work is great way to encourage your child to 'look' with their hands. My boys especially love 'looking' at things with their hands and tongues!

Make sure to start with a few very different types of fabric then add more similar ones.

Collect Your Materials

4-12 different types of materials, depending on your child's age and ability: use old clothes, check the fabric section of thrift stores. There are so many types of fabrics you can use: cotton, silk, denim, nylon, burlap, tweed, wool, felt, corduroy, satin, leather, chiffon, fleece, bamboo, gauze, faux fur, muslin, jersey, terry cloth, velour, lace, windstopper? haha! what would I do without Wikipedia?

scissors: the fabrics I used don't fray, so no sewing was required. You could sew the ends if the materials you chose do fray.

bowl or basket: I love a simple rope bowl but thrift and dollar stores are a great place to get bowls and baskets. A little box would also work for the fabric box!

blindfold: not necessary but helpful for little eyes who can't stay closed, these animal ones are super cute!

Cut 2 small rectangles in each type of material. Place the rectangles and blindfold in the bowl or basket. Place it on the shelf!

Presentation

SIDENOTE: I often do this work with my blindfolded child, handing them the pieces of fabric (like in steps 9, 10), until they decide if it's match. Afterwards, we switch and they give me the fabrics and I have to match them. The following is how you would do it to guide your child towards doing the work by themselves.

1. Tell your child you want to show them something really special.

2. Carry the bowl to your work area on a table or rug.

3. Take out the fabrics and blindfold and place them in front of you.

4. Hold one of the pieces of fabric and rub it with your thumb and finger of the same hand.

5. Repeat step 4, until you go through 1 of each pair.

6. Mix the fabrics and place them in a pile.

7. Now tell them you will sort the fabrics, using only your sense of touch.

8. Close your eyes or put on your blindfold.

9. Take the first piece of fabric and touch it the same way you in step 4.

10. Then pick up the second piece of fabric with the other hand and feel it with your thumb and finger.

11. If it's a match, place them together and place them to your right.

12. If it's not a match, place that fabric beside the pile and take the next one.

13. Keep going until all the fabrics have been matched.

Variation

Use different types of fabrics, different amounts of fabrics. Changing them regularly will keep the work interesting.

Buy It Instead

There are tons of fabric box pre-made options on Etsy.