Improve Relaxation + Comfort With A DIY Sensory Fidget Hoodie

Feeling overwhelmed in social situations, or just need a discreet way to fidget and focus? For many, traditional fidgets can be distracting or obvious to others. That’s why I’m excited to share this DIY project with you: A sensory hoodie featuring finger fidgets tucked away inside the front kangaroo pocket. This isn’t just any ol’ hoodie, it a portable comfort zone designed by you, for you! Let’s get started.

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The other day, I was looking at a few adaptive clothing websites, one of which was No Limbits. No Limbits specializes in adaptive clothing for those with dexterity and mobility limitations and limb differences as well as sensory friendly and clothing designed for wheelchair use. No Limbits offers a sensory hoodie that features a front kangaroo pocket that has raised patterns inside the pocket. This raised design creates a discreet playground for the fingers hidden inside the front pocket, helping the sensory system to stay regulated. Check out No Limbits, there’s kid sizes as well as adult sizes.

One of the reviews for the No Limbits fidget hoodie recommended adding additional fidgets for the fingers to play and fiddle with. As an occupational therapist, I love this idea. So that is exactly what we are doing today! Creating a sensory fidget hoodie that features mini manipulatives to help soothe and alleviate anxiety. Let’s get started.

What Is A Sensory Fidget Hoodie?

The sensory fidget hoodie, which we are making today, features hidden fidgets inside the front kangaroo pocket. The fidgets inside the hoodie include finger games and fidgets to help keep the sensory system organized and regulated. During times of heightened anxiety or overstimulation, the hands can be placed inside the front pocket, fiddling with the different fidget toys.

The Purpose Of Sensory Fidgets

For someone with sensory processing disorder or differences, tactile sensory fidgets can help regulate emotions and improve focus. These handy little sensory toys provide a way for the individual to access sensory stimulation with minimal distractions to others. This can be especially important, discreet sensory regulation in the classroom, workspace, and when out and about in the community.

For some individuals, the sensory fidgets can help to keep the sensory system more organized and focused during social interactions, school, and during the workday.

The tactile sensory fidgets attached to the hoodie can help regulate and soothe the sensory system for improved focus, attention, and social engagement. Plus the hidden finger sensory toys add an extra fine motor component as well.

Benefits Of A Sensory Fidget Hoodie?

Tactile sensory fidgets can offer benefits to individuals of all ages. The small hidden manipulatives not only engages the sense of touch, but also helps to organize the sensory system helping to improve:

Stress levels
Improve focus
Heightened levels of anxiety
Overstimulation
Relaxation
Comfort
Alleviate stress
Enhance wellbeing
Plus an added fine motor dexterity component

*It’s important to note that the effectiveness of tactile sensory fidgets varies depending on the individual. Discuss with your personal occupational therapist to see if this type of hoodie is a good fit for you or your child.

Sensory Aids For Home + School

When Might A Sensory Fidget Hoodie Be Helpful?

Times of heightened anxiety
Overstimulation
During times of social anxiety
Social gatherings or large groups
Appointments
Community events
During the school day or work day

What Finger Fidgets Are Hidden Inside The Hoodie?

Tassel for tossing and twirling
Embroidered spiral for tactile sensory input, follow along the lines or rub. My spiral is a little wavy instead of lying flat, however, the wave of the spiral adds an additional sensory experience.
Embroidered straight and wavy lines for additional sensory input, follow the lines or rub against
Pompoms for fiddling with
Buttons for added tactile input, each button has a different texture. Make sure to add at least one completely smooth, medium-large size button for a rubbing to help soothe and relax.
Ricrac for tracing with your finger and additional tactile sensory input

Other Fidget Ideas For Customizing Your Hoodie

Customizing and tailoring the fidgets based on the wearers own tactile sensory stimulation preferences is best. Here are some additional ideas to modify or add various sensory fidget toys:

Various fabric textures– added to the hidden side of the pocket so that the back of the hand can be rubbed up against it (soft, comforting fabric)
D-ring or O-ring for rubbing or placing the fingertips through (make sure it’s large enough so that fingers do not get stuck).
Various types of fabric embellishments
Beads
Sequins
Handmade or store bought small fabric flowers
Textured ribbon or other textured material

Add An Optional Additional Layer To the Backside Of The Kangaroo Pocket

Based on the needs of the wearer, you may choose to add an extra layer of fabric to the backside of the pocket to protect belly area from any sort of sensory irritation. Depending on the individual it may not be needed, and wearing a shirt under the hoodie may be enough to eliminate any potential irritation.

What Type Of Hoodie Is Needed?

The hoodie you choose for this project should be a comfortable and soothing hoodie for the user. Often children and adults with sensory processing differences benefit from sensory friendly clothing. Sensory friendly clothing is often made with:

Soft material
Seamless or flat seams
Tagless labels
Non-restrictive
Soothing, calming color, designs, or patterns
Promotes relaxation
Avoids itchy, rough or synthetic materials

Purchasing Sensory Friendly Clothing

When purchasing a new hoodie or sensory friendly clothing consider the following:

Consider individual preferences and sensitivities
Choose fabrics carefully
Try on before you buy
Don’t be afraid to experiment when different types of clothing
Consult with your personal occupational therapist for recommendations

How To Make A Sensory Fidget Hoodie?

Materials

Favorite comfy, sensory-friendly hoodie of choice (or lightweight hoodie during the warm months)
Seam ripper or small scissors with thin blades
Pencil and paper for brainstorming ideas, optional
Sewing machine with embroidery or adjustable zigzag stitch functionality
Sewing machine thread
Sewing straight pins
Fabric marker, regular marker or Sharpie for drawing on your design
Scissors
Tassel
Pompoms
Ricrac
Button(s)

*Of course, this project can be done 100% by hand without the use of a sewing machine using various hand stitches. If you are new to doing embroidery or using the zig zag stitch in a pattern, practice on a piece of scrap fabric first.

Instructions

Seam ripppppp! Using a seam ripper or small scissors with thin blade, seam rip the top edge of the front kangaroo pocket. Carefully seam rip the top corners as the corners of the pocket are typically reinforced making it difficult to seam rip. If a small hole is created (like I did), make sure to stitch the hole together when sewing the top edge back onto the sweatshirt hoodie.
Make your design: Draw your design on paper, brainstorming ideas. When you have decided on your design, draw on the hoodie using a fabric marker or sharpie under where the front kangaroo pocket is located. See picture.
Begin sewing, make sure to back stitch at each end. Depending on your design, start at one end and work your way through adding tassels, buttons, pompoms, etc. Add embroidery type stitches using the zigzag stitch (approximately width 4.8, length 0.3) if you do not have an embroidery stitch on your machine. If you see any thin areas in your zigzag stitch, such as when making the spiral, backstitch as needed to make it thicker.
Sew the kangaroo pocket back in place using straight pins to hold it in place, make sure to reinforce and backstitch at both ends.
Done!