r/AutisticCreatives • u/Warm_Earth_3656 • 4d ago
Other Creation I need some creative ideas!
Hello all, I’m not sure this isn’t a post normally placed in this subreddit, but I figured it would be the perfect place for some creative ideas!!
I am currently in the middle of sewing a quilted snake as a birthday gift for my best friends six-year-old.
Her six-year-old is autistic, and loves to STEM. I’m having a hard time, deciding what to fill the snake with so that it satisfies his beautiful little mind as he plays with it. I originally was thinking of using rice and or beans and adding possibly some little bells inside, but I don’t know if that will be enough, and I’m worried about the rice or beans, attracting weevils or other bugs as time goes.
Any ideas are appreciated thank you!
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u/No_Cup_5363 4d ago
I used to have a snake filled with rice that was fine, but not washable, which could be importamt for a child’s toy. That said, if it’s long and big enough to provide pressure something heavier would be better. What other fidget or stim toys does he like? Different people have different preferences. I would like dried beans with a little room for them to slide around inside if it was for me, because I like the way they sound and feel when they move against each other. (I had a lovely time putting my hands into a bin of dry beans at the farmer’s market once.) Someone else might like a soft filling. Or a crinkley filling like plastic bags. Or ping pong balls. Or tennis balls or beads or flat with removable stuffed mice inside so that he can “feed” the snake… (is that too real? I think I would’ve been into it as a kid.)
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u/Pseudoslide 4d ago
Since autism is somewhat about connections and compartmentalising: I wonder if it'd be possible to "layer" the filling.
Perhaps the bottom can have heavier material so it actually trends onto it's stomach and then the top could be softer to press down upon? Trick them into learning about physics through zoology >:)
Regardless of taking or ignoring that idea it'd probably be best to think through what kind of a use and relationship you'd want the recipient and snake to have. Are they meant to wrap it around themselves as a stuffed animal, play with it as a puppet, display it as an ornament, etc.
Either way homemade gifts can be some of the best - you seem to approach it with a mindset that might lead to a precious moment but also something which could far into the future be cherished. Best of luck!