These baby-friendly sensory bags are baby, toddler & preschooler approved! 4 different ways to make simple sensory bags for all kids.
Sensory bags are one of my favorite baby-friendly activities. They provide so much opportunity for exploration and can keep a baby occupied for quite a while! They are great to use for babies from tummy time all the way through toddler-hood. Kids learn so much from hands-on experiential play, and sensory activities for babies are among the best!
Using Sensory Bags with Kids
Young babies will love to explore the way they feel, especially if made of simple colors such as black, white, red and blue. As they get older, toddlers will love to find what is hidden inside the sensory bags, and will enjoy the bright colors of the rainbow. There is so muchopportunity for creativity as a parent or educator when using these baby-friendly sensory bags.
They are great tools for learning thealphabet,colorsor forthematic units. We have created a set of printables that can be used as tracing cards underneath the sensory bag.
This is EXCELLENT for pre-handwriting skills and can be used with toddlers well before working on handwriting with a pen or pencil. Just tell us where to send yourpassword for exclusive content!
What’s insensory bags?
There are SO many different ways to make sensory bags, but I love to keep items like baby oil, shaving cream and clear hair gel on hand to whip up a simple sensory bag. Additionally, many of your messy play ideas for babies and toddlers can simply be put into a bag and sealed for a new and mess-free experience.
4 Sensory Bags for Babies
I chose to make four very simple bags that all of my kids would like to explore. I am going to start makingtreasure basketsfor themthat can be changed weekly, this week’s treasure basket will be filled with their new sensory bags.
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Gather any other little (non-sharp) items found around the housethat would be interesting for the kids. Small animals like these from Safari LTD, or even small toys are always fun!
I prefer to use the quart-size freezer bags because they are the sturdy and are a good size for manipulating with little hands. As you will also see, I like to use duct tape all around the sides of the bag so that they don’t pop open and make a mess everywhere (this is what makes them baby-friendly and a perfect activity for 1 year olds)!
1. Clear Hair Gel Sensory Bag: I filled the first bag with clear hair gel, some small foam flowers and some agates that my family had collected from our favorite beach where we camped when I was little. The gel is my favorite filler because it makes the bag so squishy and is see-through, this would be a great option for an alphabet or number bag for toddlers.
RELATED: 60+ ACTIVITIES YOUR ONE-YEAR OLD CAN DO TOO
2. Hair Gel, Soap and Food Coloring: I also experimented with a mixture of hair gel, soap and food coloring. This sensory bagwas a hit with M (4) because of the bubbles. I filled it with some pink and purple plastic jewels. Because of the color it is difficult to view the jewels, so this has become our I-Spy bag, we have to really feel around to find the various shapes.
3. Colored Water and Oil: This sensory bag is filled with colored water and oil, I think if I had used less water this would have had a better ‘lava lamp’ effect which would have been a bit more fun to look at. This bag is filled with little plastic insects and bugs, perfect for the Spring and our caterpillar exploration we will be working on.
4. Shaving Cream and Glitter: The sensory bag is full of shaving cream, glitter and confetti. This is a fun one as well and is also good for searching for the ‘treasures’ as the confetti get a bit hidden in the shaving cream, plus is super squishy and fluffy!
RELATED: SENSORY ACTIVITIES FOR 1 YEAR OLDS
I love that these baby-friendly sensory bags are such a hit with ALLkids! Its not easy to find something that are both baby, toddler AND preschooler approved!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in sensory activities for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, I can provide you with information related to the concepts mentioned in this article. I have extensive knowledge and experience in creating sensory bags and engaging children in hands-on experiential play. Let's dive into the details!
Sensory Bags for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Sensory bags are a fantastic activity for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. They provide opportunities for exploration and can keep children occupied for extended periods of time. These bags are great for various developmental stages, from tummy time for babies to engaging sensory experiences for toddlers and preschoolers.
Benefits of Sensory Bags
Sensory activities, such as sensory bags, offer numerous benefits for children's development. They allow children to engage in hands-on experiential play, which promotes sensory exploration, fine motor skills, cognitive development, and creativity. Sensory bags can also be used as educational tools for learning the alphabet, colors, and thematic units.
Making Sensory Bags
There are several ways to make sensory bags, and this article mentions four different types. Let's explore each one:
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Clear Hair Gel Sensory Bag: This type of sensory bag is made by filling a bag with clear hair gel and adding small foam flowers or other objects. The clear hair gel creates a squishy texture and allows children to see through the bag. It can be used for various activities, such as alphabet or number recognition.
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Hair Gel, Soap, and Food Coloring Sensory Bag: This sensory bag is made by mixing hair gel, soap, and food coloring. It creates a bubbly texture and can be filled with small plastic jewels or other objects. This type of sensory bag can be turned into an "I-Spy" bag, where children have to feel around to find different shapes.
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Colored Water and Oil Sensory Bag: This sensory bag is made by filling a bag with colored water and oil. It can be filled with small plastic insects or bugs, providing a sensory experience related to nature and spring themes. Adjusting the water-to-oil ratio can create a "lava lamp" effect, making it more visually appealing.
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Shaving Cream and Glitter Sensory Bag: This sensory bag is made by filling a bag with shaving cream, glitter, and confetti. It offers a squishy and fluffy texture, and the confetti can be hidden in the shaving cream for a treasure hunt-like experience. Children can search for the hidden treasures within the bag.
Safety Considerations
When creating sensory bags, it's important to ensure the materials used are safe for children. Be mindful of any potential allergies or sensitivities. Always supervise children during sensory play to prevent any accidents or ingestion of materials.
In conclusion, sensory bags are a wonderful activity for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. They provide opportunities for exploration, sensory stimulation, and learning. By using different materials and objects, you can create a variety of sensory experiences for children. Enjoy the process of creating and engaging in sensory play with your little ones!
Note: The information provided above is based on my expertise and knowledge of sensory activities for children.
