Sensory Bags
You Will Need:
- Large Zip-lock freezer bags
- A range of small objects to go inside the bag like: Buttons, pom poms, beads or basically anything without sharp edges.
- Strong masking tape or Cellotape
- Scissors
- Cheap Hair Gel
The Activity:
- Simply fill your bag with roughly one cup of small sensory objects (some hard, some soft but none with shape edges.
- Add the Gel and carefully seal the zip lock bag.
- Place that bag inside a second bag and fold the inside zip part down so you can properly seal the outer bag.
- Tape the bag around all four edges to either a window, high chair table or even the floor – anywhere that the baby or child can safely play with it.
Extending The Activity:
- Place on a window to explore the experience on a vertical surface
- Introduce objects that reflect colours and make patterns when the sun shines
- Place specific coloured objects in the bags to support older children’s interest
Words to introduce during the activity to support language development
- Squish
- Squash
- Squelch
- Pat
- Poke
- Sense
- Recognise
- Texture
- Feel
- Hard
- Soft
How this supports your child's learning:
Sensory play impacts many areas of development including:
- Language skills – a young child will expand and develop their vocabulary and grammar as they describe the senses they are experiencing.
- Sensory input – providing sensory input to meet a child’s needs.
- Fine motor skills – through manipulating small objects, a child’s fine motor skills are improved.
- Social skills – by communicating what they are experiencing and sharing sensory play with others, a child will naturally improve their social skills.
Top Tip:
Sensory bags are easy to create, portable and inexpensive. Sensory bags allow children to explore, discover, imagine, create, and learn while engaging many of their senses. They make great mess free sensory play.
