An Assumption of Mary Sensory Box, by Anne Jones

Sensory boxes (or bins) are a fun, hands-on way to learn more about a feast in the Catholic liturgical year. These boxes encourage sensory play, which involves finding different items to see, touch, and explore that connect to the liturgical feast. Sensory boxes are a great way to initiate conversation about the feast day and how the symbols tie back to it. Sensory boxes include a base material such as kinetic sand, rice, beans, or other similar mediums for individuals to scoop, dig, and find the items. If it works better for your family, skipping this base and just putting together a box of symbols is also an option for your Assumption of Mary sensory box. 

On August 15th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) describes the Assumption as when the Blessed Virgin Mary’s “earthly life was finished, [she] was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory” (CCC 966). To build a homemade sensory box for this special feast day, first start with a large plastic storage box, cardboard box, or roaster foil pan. For the base material, since sacred art of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary often depicts Mary surrounded by heavenly clouds and angels, white cotton balls or white pom pom craft balls can be used to symbolize clouds. White rice or shredded paper can be used as an alternative base material, though you may want to put cloth under the box to catch spills. After you pour the base material in, feel free to add glitter to make it sparkle!

For symbols to add into the box, start with gold pipe cleaners, shaped into halos. These can symbolize the holiness of Mary and the angels surrounding her in heaven. In addition, Mary is often shown in sacred art wearing the color “blue”, signifying Mary’s “fiat” and her carrying the divine (Jesus) in her womb. Place strips of blue fabric (feel free to include a fun texture such as silk!) in your box to incorporate this symbol. Place a crown in your box for Mary’s title as “Queen over all things” (CCC 966).

Next, you can add in symbols to tie back to the readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary (Mass during the day). The first reading comes from the book of Revelation, describing “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (New American Bible, Rev. 12.1). To tie back to this reading, you can add in foam or glow-in-the dark sun, moon, and star stickers to your box. For the Gospel, add in doll shoes to represent Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth and/or a plastic dove (or dove cut-out) to symbolize the Holy Spirit coming over Elizabeth as she greets Mary during the Visitation (Luke 1.39-56).

Finally, add a figure and/or image of the Blessed Virgin Mary to your box. Depending on what works best, a figure of Mary that children can play with is an option such as a peg doll or one sold here. In addition, add in an image, such as a prayer card, depicting the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary or place it on the cover of the box. Creating a checklist of symbols to find in the box is an additional option for children who enjoy more of a scavenger hunt approach.This is just a starting point—feel free to do what works best for your family and add in additional symbols of Mary into your box! You can always pair this activity with praying the fourth glorious mystery decade of the rosary.

What other items would you add to an Assumption of Mary sensory box? Let us know in the comments below!

References

• Kosloski, Philip. “Why is the Blessed Virgin Mary always wearing blue?” Aleteia
• The Bible. New American Bible, revised edition. Washington D.C., Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, 2010
• The Catechism of the Catholic Church. New York, Image, 1995.