Ball Blankets

The SensoryCritters Ball Blanket provides distinctive tactile input through therapy balls secured within individual pockets. This unique design offers a different sensory experience from traditional weighted products and may help support body awareness, grounding, calming, and sensory regulation.

Designed for supervised use in homes, schools, clinics, therapy centers, and medical care facilities, the Ball Blanket can be incorporated into rest, play, therapy, and sensory routines.

Common Uses and Therapy Applications

Classrooms and Therapy Centers

Children can crawl over, lie on, or move beneath the Ball Blanket during supervised gross motor and sensory activities. It may also be used outdoors and lightly sprayed with water for additional sensory play.

Hospitals and Medical Facilities

When permitted by the patient’s care plan, the Ball Blanket may be placed beneath individuals who cannot reposition themselves independently. Trained caregivers can use slow, gentle side-to-side movements to provide tactile input and assist with repositioning.

A Compact Ball-Pit Alternative

The Ball Blanket provides a contained, space-saving alternative for families, schools, and clinics that want a ball-pit-inspired sensory experience without the cost, storage, or space requirements of a traditional ball pit.

Sensory Regulation With Our Ball Blanket

Lisa and Bob originally designed the Ball Blanket more than 20 years ago for clients and patients receiving therapy in a children’s hospital. It was created to encourage touch exploration, grounding, and proprioceptive awareness through structured tactile input.  Also check out our SensoryCritters Crinkle Blanket which provides auditory, tactile and proprioceptive input.

The Ball Blanket may be especially helpful for sensory seekers, individuals who benefit from fidgeting, and people with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences.

Designed for Easier Cleaning

The Ball Blanket has an easy-to-clean surface that can be sprayed and wiped down according to your facility’s care procedures. It can then be hung over a shower curtain rod or another suitable support to air-dry completely.  The removable fabric cover can be detached, machine-washed and dried, and then reattached for continued use.

Always use the Ball Blanket with appropriate supervision. Caregiver-assisted positioning must be performed by trained individuals according to the patient’s approved care plan and facility procedures. The Ball Blanket is not a replacement for medically prescribed repositioning methods, pressure-injury prevention equipment, or professional medical care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Ball Blanket the same as a weighted blanket?

Not exactly. Both provide distributed pressure, but the therapy balls add raised tactile elements for additional sensory input and engagement.

Who may benefit from a Ball Blanket?

Ball Blankets may benefit sensory seekers, individuals with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences, and anyone who enjoys structured tactile input.

Can children use the Ball Blanket?

The Ball Blanket is designed for children and adults when used with appropriate supervision. Individual abilities, needs, and safety considerations should always be taken into account.

How do I clean the Ball Blanket?

Spray and wipe down the easy-to-clean Ball Blanket according to your facility’s care procedures, then hang it over a suitable support to air-dry completely. The removable fabric cover can be machine-washed and dried separately.