Sensory Spaces
Cozy, caterpillar-themed retreats where every kind of mind can reset, recharge, and belong.
A Calm Corner in Every Classroom
Cocoon Corners are small, intentional spaces tucked into school classrooms, libraries, and community rooms. Inspired by the safety and transformation of a caterpillar's cocoon, each corner is designed to give children aged 5–12 a quiet place to decompress when the world feels like too much.
These spaces are for everyone — not just neurodivergent children. Any child who needs a moment to breathe, fidget, read, or simply be still is welcome. The goal is to normalize calm and make inclusion feel natural.
What a Sensory Space Can Look Like
Photo credits: reference images sourced from published research and educational design resources. Final Cocoon Corner builds will be photographed and added here.
Key Principles for Every Cocoon Corner
A Quiet Retreat Zone
Every corner should include a calm, cocoon-like area where a child can withdraw from overstimulating environments without drawing attention to themselves.
Fidgets & Sensory Tools
Stock the space with a variety of tactile objects — stress balls, fidget spinners, textured fabric, and sensory boards — so kids have something to focus their hands on.
Soft, Adjustable Lighting
Bright overhead lights can be overwhelming. Dimmed plug-in lights, fairy lights, or a simple lamp create a noticeably calmer atmosphere.
Reading Material & Activities
Include our storybooks and educational pamphlets so children have something engaging to explore. Quiet activities reduce restlessness and build positive associations with the space.
Sensory-Friendly Materials
Use soft, washable fabrics for cushions and curtains. Avoid rough textures and loud patterns. The goal is tactile comfort, not visual stimulation.
Modular & Portable
Corners should be easy to move, rearrange, or pack up. A PVC shell, fabric curtain, and portable storage bin make the space flexible for any room layout.
Open to Everyone
The Cocoon Corner is not a special-needs room — it is a space any child can use. Framing it this way removes stigma and makes the space genuinely inclusive.
Volunteer-Friendly
Every corner comes with a one-page guide so teachers, librarians, and church volunteers can set it up and manage it confidently with no specialist training required.
What to Put in Your Cocoon Corner
These are the recommended items based on evidence-based sensory room research and our own design testing. You don't need all of them — start small and build from there.
The Build Process
Each Cocoon Corner installation is a structured four-day build. Here's how we do it:
Day 1 — Build the Reading Area
Assemble the PVC cocoon shell and pre-fabricated bench structure. Set up storage for fidgets and sensory objects.
Day 2 — Sew Cushions & Curtains
Cut and sew soft, washable fabric for the seat cushions. Attach a sheer front curtain for visibility while still providing separation from the room.
Day 3 — Install in Classrooms
Move completed corners into the target classrooms or library spaces. Set up lighting, stock fidgets, and arrange books and pamphlets.
Day 4 — Train Volunteers
Walk teachers and volunteers through the one-page guide before first use. Cover how to introduce the space to students and when to direct children toward it.
Progress & Reach
Bay Area, California and Houston, Texas — reaching recently diagnosed neurodivergent children ages 5–12 through schools and public library systems.
Want to Build a Cocoon Corner?
Download our step-by-step guide or get in touch with our team — we'll help you set one up in your school, library, or community space.