The Southpaw Hot Dog Floor Mat is one of those rare therapy tools that genuinely makes a child want to climb in. Available across Canada and the US from The Sensory Supply, this whimsical three-piece set transforms a standard positioning activity into something kids actually ask for - and that OTs, educators, and caregivers remember long after the session ends.
At its core, this is a postural positioning mat built for purposeful sensory work. The Bun - designed in the same spirit as Southpaw's Cloud Nine - cradles the body with a special centre seam that holds a child securely in place. That sense of enclosure is no accident: when a child nestles into the mat, they receive the kind of whole-body proprioceptive input that supports body awareness, helps regulate the nervous system, and creates a calm, organised foundation for the activities that follow. Positioned in prone, supine, or side-lying, the Bun accommodates multiple postural goals in a single piece of equipment.
The Ketchup and Mustard rollers add a second layer of therapeutic intent. Each weighs 10 lbs. and is filled with a safe, non-toxic medium. Placed alongside the child, they provide additional deep pressure input and proprioceptive feedback - grounding, organising, and completing the hot dog picture in a way that tends to produce a lot of laughter. Deep pressure of this kind is a fundamental tool in sensory integration practice, helping to calm the nervous system, improve focus, and support a child's readiness for learning or therapy.
Key Features of the Southpaw Hot Dog Floor Mat
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Postural Positioning Bun - Designed with a centre seam that cradles the body, allowing children to lie comfortably in prone, supine, or side-lying positions to support the postural and vestibular activities central to sensory integration work
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Weighted Ketchup & Mustard Rollers - Each weighing 10 lbs. and filled with a safe, non-toxic medium, these rollers deliver targeted proprioceptive and deep pressure input alongside the body, grounding and organising the nervous system during therapy activities
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Non-Toxic Fill Material - The safe, non-toxic medium inside all three pieces means the mat can be used with complete confidence in any therapeutic, educational, or home setting
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Machine Washable Cover - The removable cover can be laundered between uses, supporting hygiene standards in occupational therapy clinics, schools, and sensory rooms where equipment is shared across multiple children
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Imaginative Play Design - The hot dog theme invites creative participation and lowers resistance to therapeutic activities, making it easier to engage children who find structured work challenging
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Multiple Positioning Options - The Bun's flexible shape supports a variety of therapeutic positions, giving OTs and caregivers the versatility to adapt the activity to each child's current goals without changing equipment
Sensory Systems & Developmental Benefits
The mat directly supports the proprioceptive and tactile sensory systems. Proprioceptive input - the sense of force, movement, and body position received through muscles and joints - is foundational to self-regulation, motor planning, and attention. The tactile experience of the weighted rollers adds a grounding dimension that many children find deeply calming. For children who seek deep pressure, the combination of enclosure and weighted contact meets that sensory need in a structured, purposeful, and playful format.
Ideal for All Ages and Settings
The Southpaw Hot Dog Floor Mat is designed for use in occupational therapy clinics and therapy rooms, primary and special education classrooms, sensory rooms and calm corners, paediatric rehabilitation centres, and home sensory spaces. It serves children across all developmental profiles - those following a sensory diet prescribed by an OT, children who seek proprioceptive input as part of their daily routine, and any young person who simply loves the idea of becoming a hot dog.
A 1-year manufacturer warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship to the original purchaser with proof of purchase. Colours may vary.
