5 Sensory Play Ideas Using Olli Ella Rattan Baskets and Toys

Sensory play is more than just fun—it’s a vital part of early childhood development. By engaging a child’s senses—touch, sight, sound, smell, and even taste—you help build neural connections that support cognitive growth, language skills, and emotional regulation. And when you combine sensory play with beautifully crafted Olli Ella products, you create an experience that is both enriching and aesthetically pleasing.

In this guide, we’ll share five sensory play ideas that pair Olli Ella’s signature rattan baskets and adorable toys like the Cozy Dinkums - Dog Domino and the Dinky Dinkum Doll - Scully Skeleton. These activities are easy to set up, use items you likely already have at home, and will keep your little one engaged for hours.

1. Nature Sensory Bin with a Rattan Basket

Fill a medium-sized Olli Ella rattan basket with natural treasures like pinecones, smooth stones, dried leaves, and acorns. Add scoops, small containers, and a pair of tweezers for fine motor practice. The natural texture of the basket adds an extra tactile element that plastic bins simply can't match.

Encourage your toddler to sort items by size, color, or texture. This activity stimulates the sense of touch and sight while teaching early math concepts like sorting and categorizing. For an extra imaginative twist, hide a small toy like the Cozy Dinkums - Dog Domino inside the bin for your child to discover.

• Use a shallow rattan basket to keep materials contained and easy to reach.
• Supervise small items to ensure safety for younger children.

2. Water Play Station in a Rattan Tray

Transform a large Olli Ella rattan tray into a water play station. Add a shallow layer of water, a few cups, funnels, and floating toys. The woven texture of the basket holds up beautifully to occasional splashes and dries quickly, making it a practical choice for sensory water play.

This activity engages the sense of touch and hearing as water pours and splashes. It also builds hand-eye coordination and cause-and-effect understanding. For a themed session, add a Dinky Dinkum Doll - Scully Skeleton to the water play—its poseable limbs make it perfect for bath-time adventures.

• Place the basket on a towel or waterproof mat to catch spills.
• Add a drop of food coloring or a few drops of lavender essential oil for a calming sensory experience.

3. Sound and Shaker Sensory Bottles in a Basket

Create a set of sensory bottles by filling small, sealed plastic bottles with different materials: rice, beans, bells, or glitter. Place them inside a small Olli Ella rattan basket for a contained, portable sound station. The basket’s sturdy handle makes it easy for toddlers to carry from room to room.

Shaking the bottles stimulates auditory senses and helps children learn about volume, rhythm, and cause and effect. You can also pair the bottles with a soft toy like the Cozy Dinkums - Dog Domino for a calming, multi-sensory lap time activity.

• Use strong glue or tape to seal bottle lids permanently.
• Include one bottle with a slow-moving liquid (like oil and water) for visual tracking.

4. Texture Matching Game with Fabric and Natural Materials

Gather squares of different fabrics—velvet, burlap, silk, corduroy, and wool—and place them inside a large Olli Ella rattan basket. Also include natural items like a pinecone, a piece of bark, and a smooth stone. Ask your child to match each fabric to the natural item that feels similar (e.g., burlap to bark, velvet to stone).

This activity hones the sense of touch and builds vocabulary as you describe textures together (“rough,” “smooth,” “soft”). The basket keeps everything organized and adds a rustic, inviting feel to the play space.

• Limit to 4-5 pairs for younger toddlers to avoid overwhelm.
• Use the basket as a ‘mystery box’—have your child reach in and describe what they feel before pulling it out.

5. Calm-Down Corner with Weighted Plush and a Basket

Create a dedicated calm-down corner using a large Olli Ella rattan basket filled with soft blankets, a weighted plush toy like the Cozy Dinkums - Dog Domino, and a few quiet sensory items like a glitter wand or a small book. The basket serves as a cozy, contained space where your child can self-regulate when feeling overwhelmed.

Weighted plush toys provide deep pressure stimulation, which is known to calm the nervous system. Pairing this with the natural, grounding feel of a rattan basket creates a safe, soothing environment for emotional regulation. This is a wonderful addition to any toddler’s daily routine.

• Keep the basket in a quiet, low-traffic area of the home.
• Rotate the items inside weekly to maintain novelty and interest.

Sensory play doesn’t require expensive equipment or complicated setups. With a few Olli Ella rattan baskets and beloved toys like the Cozy Dinkums - Dog Domino, you can create endless opportunities for learning, discovery, and calm. Start with one of these ideas today and watch your toddler’s imagination and sensory skills blossom.