How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers (2024)

Take a look at our easy instructions on how to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers using laminator pouches and gel. We have 6 sensory bag ideas, each with something different inside to discover, look at and squish around. These sensory bag ideas for babies and toddlers take minutes to make and they are perfect for young children who are exploring their sense of touch and sight. You can have your own homemade baby sensory toys made in minutes!

How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers (1)

If you are looking for easy sensory play ideas for babies and toddlers making laminator pouch sensory bags are perfect! These sensory bags are easy to make, they are small and flat so they can easily be stored and they are durable! We have had our laminator pouch sensory bags for a couple of years and never had any leaks!

As well as making a set of laminator pouch sensory bags you may also like to make a set ofsensory bags from ziplock bags or make somesensory bottles for babies and toddlers to enjoy.

We have lots morebaby activities for you to browse through too. Younger babies will love simple sensory activities like playing with a foil blanket or exploring a discovery basket. If you are feeling adventurous you could even create a sensory fort for babies to enjoy!

Older babies and toddlers looking for sensory activities might enjoy playing with rainbow spaghetti, painting with taste-safe ice paints or creating no-mess art.


How to make sensory bags

Below you will find our easy step-by-step instructions to make your own set of sensory bags for babies and toddlers to enjoy.


To make sensory bags you will need


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A4 laminator pouches (UK link / US link)

Iron or hair straighteners

Hair gel

Small objects to fill your bags with (for example):

To add colour I recommend:wilton colour gel (UK link/US link)

How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers using laminator pouches

STEP 1: Gather your sensory bag supplies

The fun thing about making homemade sensory bags is that there is no right or wrong way to do it! You can add anything you like to your sensory bags and your baby will love exploring them.

I would suggest taking some time to gather your supplies for your sensory bags and think about a few different sensory bag ideas before you begin. We have included 6 sensory bag ideas below that we think are perfect for sensory play for babies and toddlers.

STEP 2: Prepare laminator pouches for sensory bags

A4 laminator pouches are a little large for a babies or toddlers hands so I would suggest cutting them in half to make them A5 size. Once you are happy with the size of your laminator pouches you need to prepare them by sealing 3 sides of the pouches.

You can use an iron or hair straightener to seal the3 sides of your laminator pouch. I used my iron on medium heat and ran it slowly along the edge of the pouch.Leave the 4th edge open so you can fill the sensory bag.

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STEP 3: Fill sensory bag with hair gel and small objects.

Spoon in a bit of hair gel into the open laminator pouch. I added two large spoons to each pouch. Then add a few exciting objects to the sensory bag for your baby or toddler to discover. The great thing about homemade baby sensory toys is that you can adjust the contents to your own child's interests. (There are 6 sensory bag ideas below)


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STEP 4: Seal the laminator pouch sensory bag

Wipe away any hair gel from the top of the laminator pouch (where you will seal it) and then seal the pouch by running your iron or hair straighteners along the final side of the pouch.

Leave the sensory bag to cool for a minute and then squeeze the pouch to see if there are any weak spots where the gel could escape. If there are just re-seal them using your iron or hair straighteners.

STEP 5: Engage in sensory play for babies and toddlers

Let your baby or toddler enjoy exploring their new sensory bags. Sensory bags are fantastic homemade baby sensory toys as they allow babies and toddlers to explore objects that are too small or unsafe for them to handle.

Six different sensory bag ideas

Make a pretty Spring sensory bag using butterfly and flower sequins.

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Babies will love exploring the texture of different-sized buttons.

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Toddlers that are starting to get interested in numbers would love this foam number sensory bag.

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Make a spooky Halloween sensory bag using different sized googly eyes.

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Use food colouring to add a bit of colour to the hair gel. (I used wilton gel food colouring).

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Make a heart themed sensory bag using wooden hearts, sequins and red colouring (a perfect valentines day sensory bag).

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These sensory bags were made for Daisy aged 6 months, but Harry age 3 seems just as fascinated with them!

The sensory bags are a great size for little hands (and mouths) to explore and the plastic is strong enough to withhold lots of squeezing, pulling and squashing.

Daisy had great fun playing with these in her DIY fort for babies.

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So now you know how to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers! We hope that you have discovered a few new sensory bag ideas to try and that your babies and toddlers enjoy their new homemade baby sensory toys.

Take a look at all our other baby activities for even more sensory play ideas!

How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers (2024)

FAQs

How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers? ›

Here's how: Fill a resealable plastic bag with tactile materials like hair gel, pumpkin seeds, shaving cream, or marbles. Reinforce the seal with strong tape, then use painter's or washi tape to secure the edges of the bag to the floor or a table where your baby can play.

How do you make homemade sensory bags for babies? ›

Here's how: Fill a resealable plastic bag with tactile materials like hair gel, pumpkin seeds, shaving cream, or marbles. Reinforce the seal with strong tape, then use painter's or washi tape to secure the edges of the bag to the floor or a table where your baby can play.

What liquid goes in a sensory bag? ›

You can use canola oil, vegetable oil or baby oil. It really doesn't matter. Next stir several drops of food coloring into a half cup of water. Pour the water and food coloring into the bag.

What are the learning outcomes of sensory bags? ›

Sensory bags help young children to develop their sense of touch and fine motor skills as they manipulate the small objects around the bags. The types of sensory bags you can make is endless! Get creative and use things from around your home or from the craft shop.

How to make a sensory toy for babies? ›

But it doesn't have to be complicated—fill a water bottle or bag with beads, little toys, and other trinkets (and make sure to seal it well); or glue different textured fabric to the sides of wooden blocks. These are just a few great examples of how to use simple materials to light up your child's mind.

What to use instead of hair gel for sensory bag? ›

About the question what fluid goes in sensory bags, there are some options. You can certainly use liquid soup or hair gel or even gel detergent. I prefer however to use tap water for two good reasons.

Can you use baby oil for sensory bags? ›

Paint and oil sensory bag! Make floating paint for baby to play with for tummy time or sitting, it is so fun toddlers will be intrigued too! All you need to do is squirt some water-based (washable) paint into a gallon bag, add about half a bottle of baby oil, and close the bag.

What is included in a sensory bag? ›

Here are things that could go into your baby's sensory bag: pieces of fabric of different sizes, colours and textures – try smooth cotton, rough wool or fuzzy velvet. small baby toys that make sounds, like ones that squeak or jingle bells. baby rattles.

When to use a sensory bag? ›

The idea of a Sensory bag is that if the child starts to become stressed, agitated or anxious due to sensory input or overload, the 'sensory bag' can be used to provide a sensory approach to help calm the child and manage the arousal state or behaviours.

What children learn from sensory activity? ›

Sensory play encourages learning through exploration, curiosity, problem solving and creativity. It helps to build nerve connections in the brain and encourages the development of language and motor skills.

What are the benefits of sensory items? ›

Playing with sensory toys help:
  • Reduce stress levels.
  • Improve self-awareness.
  • Refine gross and fine motor skills.
  • Learn cause and effect.
  • Improve communication skills.
  • Develop social skills.
  • Increase self-confidence.

How does baby sensory help development? ›

Exploring the world through their senses can help children understand lots of different things, such as “cause and effect” (how their actions affect the world) and to develop their emotional awareness. “Through sensory play, some children will discover which senses are more calming for them,” says Alys.

What age is baby sensory good for? ›

Baby Sensory helps provide parents with lots of information on how to enhance your baby's development using a wide variety of researched activities. Baby Sensory is designed for babies' birth to 13 months and the youngest baby to come along to the Chelmsford District classes has been 3 days old!

How do you make homemade sensory tubes? ›

How to make a themed sensory bottle with glitter
  1. First, squeeze corn syrup into an empty water bottle. ...
  2. Add warm water until it's about three-quarters full.
  3. Add a few drops of food coloring and sprinkle in some glitter.
  4. Put the lid on the water bottle and shake to mix the ingredients.

How do you make a sensory bag with cornstarch? ›

Sensory Bags
  1. 8 cups of water.
  2. 2 cups of cornstarch.
  3. 4 gallon sized freezer bags.
  4. 4 gel or liquid food coloring jars.
Oct 3, 2013

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