Inclusive Virtual Imagination Hub Programme: Sensory Play

Join us at the Inclusive Virtual Imagination Hub, where we’ll be exploring imaginative approaches to sensory engagement using objects found around the house.

Who is this for?

This is for children and young people aged 5-18 years old that have special educational needs, profound or multiple learning disabilities, autism and/or who are neurodivergent. You must be living in or go to school within Brent, Barnet, Harrow, Camden, Kensington & Chelsea, City of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham or Ealing to be eligible for a place in this session. If you have any queries, please email hello@ioi.london call us on 07585009726.

What will happen in this session?

In this session, we will experiment with different ways of playing and connecting through sensory creativity. Together we will explore a range of sensory activities such as shadow-making and experimenting with sounds, to spark your child’s curiosity.

Session Structure

• Introduction to creative sensory play
• Making your own super safe and beautiful lava lamp
• Creating a shadow-world inside your house
• Playing with sensory sounds

When is Inclusive Virtual Imagination Hub: Sensory Play?

There is one session, 9:30 -11 am on Saturday the 25th of July. There will be up to 50 participants at each session.

What will I need for the Sensory Play session?

• A torch (phone torches are fine) a cheese grater or colander, a plant as well as objects from around the house that you think would make nice shadows
• 2 jam jars, food colouring, vegetable oil, bicarbonate soda, and vinegar
• A large bit of card and a mini Bluetooth speaker if you have one

What is the Inclusive Virtual Imagination Hub?

The Inclusive Virtual Imagination Hub is an exciting 8-week programme bought to you by the Institute of Imagination and Oily Cart. It features a range of exciting and experimental workshops, with the crossover of arts, science, engineering, coding, digital technology. Explore how to be playful with everyday household items. It’s made especially for children from neurodivergent backgrounds.

Sessions include:

• Theatre sessions and sensory engagement workshops with Oily Cart, a charity who aims to reimagine theatre for young audiences to make it more inclusive.
• Tinkering with everyday objects and exploring digital making with the iOi
• An online CPD session for teachers and parents to provide new inspiration, ideas and tool kit for online delivery and home learning with the iOi and Oily Cart.

Throughout all of July, we’ll be running a workshop every Saturday. Then in August, we will be hosting workshops from Tuesday-Thursday, every week. Sign up now and we’ll keep you updated on all our events.

How much does the Inclusive Virtual Imagination Hub: Sensory Play cost?

This is a funded programme with John Lyons, so it is free to participate. You must be living in or go to school within Brent, Barnet, Harrow, Camden, Kensington & Chelsea, City of Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham or Ealing to be eligible for a place in the sessions. All participants should be accompanied by an adult for the online session.

How have we made this programme inclusive?

When you sign up to each session, we ask you to provide details about what needs your child(ren) have. We will pass on these details to our practitioners, to ensure that they make the sessions suitable for everyone taking part. Also, each session includes a captioned video, a resource page and a live workshop. We have a session that will support children and young people with sensory needs and high functioning needs.

How do I join the session?

If you would like to take part in this session, please book here and we will send you a booking confirmation shortly to confirm your place, a resource pack and instructions for how to join. If you have any queries, please email hello@ioi.london call us on 07585009726.

How do I do this activity if I can’t join this session?

If you can’t join this session, we have a resource pack that you can download after the session has taken place and a pre-recorded video that you can watch, so you can catch up in your own time.