Ocean sensory bag

Easy DIY Ocean Sensory Bag You Can Make

ByArena Updated onApril 15, 2022

This Ocean Sensory Bag is a fun way to experience the deep blue sea for little hands. Babies and toddlers will delight in the squishy sensory bag that is filled with ocean creatures. Kids of all ages can help make this ocean squish bag for baby!

Ocean Sensory Bag for Baby

My toddler loved squishing the bag and feeling the animals inside. Sensory bags are great because they keep the mess contained. While we love our sensory bin, sometimes it just isn’t practical to have colored rice where my toddler can dump it on the floor.

Related: Check out a big list of DIY sensory bags you can make

And the gel in this sensory bag is really fun. What kid doesn’t love something this squishy?

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Supplies Needed to Make Ocean Sensory Bags

Gallon-sized ziplock bag
Hair gel – clear, blue or any light color
Blue food coloring – if your hair gel is not blue
Glitter
Sea animal toys
Packing tape

How to Make an Ocean Sensory Bag for Babies

Watch our video tutorial how to make a sensory bag

Step 1

Squirt the hair gel into the ziplock bag. Our bottle of hair gel was already blue, but you can add blue food coloring if you want to give it a bit more color.

Step 2

Add glitter to the bag, along with the animal toys.

Step 3

Seal the ziplock bag, removing as much air as possible.
Use the packing tape to secure the seal.
You can even line the edges of the ziplock bag with the tape to prevent it from leaking.

Now, your ocean sensory bag is ready for play!

Our Experience Making Ocean Sensory Bag for Toddlers

We made this sensory bag for our son who was 3. While sensory bags are generally used with ages 0-2, older kids love to play with them too.

Related: More fun ocean crafts for kids or download these fun ocean coloring pages.

We had recently been on a trip to the ocean and creating this ocean sensory bag together was a great way to bring back memories of our trip to Starfish Point in Grand Cayman, when he held a starfish in his hands.

More Sensory Bags to Make for Play

Halloween sensory bag
Shark sensory bag

Sensory Play for Kids from Kids activities Blog

Let’s make an ocean sensory bin!
A big list of sensory for babies – activities and information
A big list of sensory bins you can make for toddlers and preschoolers
Got a 2 year old? We have the best activity for toddlers ideas around!
Or need some easy activities for 2 year olds?
Make a baby-safe cloud dough recipe that is sensory fun!
Let’s play with a rice sensory bin today!

How did your baby enjoy the ocean sensory bag?

Arena

Arena Blake used to spend her days in the White House writing about the president. Now she spends her days at the kitchen table writing about kids activities and Star Wars crafts.

She is the blogger behind The Nerd's Wife, a Dallas mom blog, and author of Awesome Edible Kids Crafts: 75 Super-Fun All-Natural Projects for Kids to Make and Eat. She lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband and son.

Follow Arena on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

How to Make a Simple Ocean Sensory Bag for Kids

May 22, 2019May 22, 2019

Activities

This post may contain affiliate links.

Make an ocean sensory bag for your toddlers and preschoolers to explore. It’s a great activity for summer fun before or after a tip to the beach!

Whether you’re gearing up for a trip to the beach or just studying the ocean from afar, this ocean bag is a great addition to your summertime sensory activities.

If sealed properly, this sensory activity is perfect for even your youngest kiddos. My 15 month grandson loves it when I make a smaller version of this and tape it to his highchair tray.

Ocean Sensory Bag

This preschool sensory bag will make a great addition to so many preschool units. Add it to your O is for Ocean and B is for Beach lessons. If you’re studying animals or animal habitats, this works well with those themes too.

What You’ll Need

• Freezer Bag

• Ocean animals ( can be found at the dollar store or party supply)

• 1 cup of Sand

• Bottle of blue body wash, or blue hand soap

• Sea shells

• Blue Orbeez ( optional )

What You’ll Do

To start, set your freezer bag upright so you can pour the items in. You may want to set it in a tall cup or vase so that it doesn’t fall over as you add items.

First, add the sand. You can use natural colored sand or colored sand. Pouring is a good skill to teach preschoolers, so you could let them do the pouring. If you plan to let your little ones do this step, you may want to do it outdoors or on newspaper so as not to be messy if there is a spill.

Now, it’s time to add your ocean animals and sea shells. This is a great time to talk about the animals and shells. You can talk about the unique characteristics of each animal. Which ones have your preschoolers seen at the zoo or aquarium?

Add in some literacy practice by discussing beginning sounds and/or syllables. Match the animals to animals in your child’s favorite ocean animals books.

To make the “ocean”, add bottle of blue body wash or hand soap. You could use hair gel, as well. If you can’t find blue liquids, you can use clear liquids and add blue Orbeez or food coloring.

Talk about the ocean, waves, and your child’s favorite part of their last beach vacation.

To finish this project, zip the bag closed. Try to squeeze out as much air as you can so the bag will lay flat.

For preschoolers, I would add a strip of duct tape around each of the edges so that the bag is less likely to pop. For infants and toddlers, I suggest taping the bag to their highchair tray, table top, or the floor. This will keep the bag out of their mouths.

Now that your ocean sensory bag is complete, let your preschoolers play. This activity bag is sure to inspire sensory play for days to come.

Teaching Resources

Preschoolers will have fun using these free printable ocean animals flashcards to learn the names of more than 20 ocean animals!

Egg carton ocean animals make great summertime crafts! Whether you’re heading to the beach or just learning about it, try one (or more) of these ideas.

This amazing collection of preschool ocean theme printables is perfect for your summer activities. Kids can learn more about oceans and ocean animals.

RESOURCES I LOVE FOR ocean theme preschool activities

This super cute ocean felt board set is a wonderful quiet toy for your preschool-aged kiddos.

13 pairs of hand stamped and colored ocean images make this a fun and interesting game for your child. Use this ocean matching game to build your child’s concentration, memory and language skills, and have fun doing it!

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Post Tags: #Preschool Ocean Theme#Sensory Activities

15 Easy Sensory Bag Crafts for Kids

Sensory Bags are the perfect way to introduce your little ones to the sense of touch and touch. Toddlers at the learning stage love to touch and hold in their hands almost everything that surrounds them. It is tiring for a mother not to let her children touch things that might be dangerous to them. But getting to know those senses is just as important, these 15 easy-to-make sensory bags for babies, babies and toddlers can be your safe way to do it! This will get the kids involved and reduce the mother's pressure to keep an eye on the baby so he doesn't touch anything wrong!

These sensory bag ideas we are sharing with you today are very fun, attractive and very easy to make. These projects can easily be done in less than 5-10 minutes. Moreover, the sensory bags bought in the store are very expensive. That's why we're introducing this DIY Sensory Bag project, which is a smart replacement for store-bought baby sensory bags. Easy, fun and affordable, this sensory bag project will become your kids favorite toy. You can even ask your child to help you make one of these crafts for him. They will be happy to help you with this super fun project.

You can also create this sensory bag to earn money. Find the best crafts to make and sell for money. From dollar store wonders to hair gel ideas, from handbags to sequins and ocean themes, we've got it all! Let's dive in.

1. How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers

Create a sensory bag at home for your little one who is new to the idea of touching and feeling things around them. This children's toy will serve as a great way for him to understand the sense of touch. Make this sensory toy fun for toddlers by adding glitter hair gel, confetti, any small plastic toys without sharp edges, etc. The possibilities of this toy are endless, and the best part is that it will keep baby busy for a while. longer period. This is a very simple project that can be created in less than five minutes.

2. Sensory play with hair gel

Make a sensory bag at home for your little one with spare hair gel. This project will captivate your cranky child and keep them occupied for a longer period of time. You can add a bright color to the hair gel and stick these DIY bags on the windows to keep your kids safe and enjoy the sunshine coming through the plastic bags. This project is the perfect way to introduce your kids to the sense of touch and touch. In addition, it can be easily made at home from materials that are usually readily available.

3. Do-It-Yourself Dollar Store Sensory Bags

Give your child a new and engaging sensory play experience by making a sensory bag for an infant or toddler at home. This sensory toy is very easy to make and can be assembled in no time. Everything you need to make this bag may already be in your home. or at least these materials will fit right into your budget! You can use old jewelry beads for this sensory bag, add styrofoam pieces, and also hair gel.

4. Ocean Life Baby Sensory Bag

Bring the ocean home for your little one, especially if he loves a water person. Create this sensory marine life bag for toddlers by adding blue to hair gel and tiny plastic toys. Your child will love to play and feel the life of the ocean with this! And it will keep him busy for hours. However, make sure you seal the bags well so that children cannot open them. Follow the link below for a list of materials and step by step instructions to make this ocean life sensory bag.

5. Ocean Sensor bag for kids

Quite an unusual looking sensory bag for kids. You can assemble this bag in no time, because you already have all the materials necessary for this at home. The perfect ocean-themed activity for your child if they are a fan of the big blue ocean. Simply pick up a few plastic marine animals and place them in a good quality plastic bag along with water and blue food coloring. If you want a softer sensory bag, just add hair gel instead of water.

6. DIY sensory toy bags

Give your little one a new toy by making these DIY sensory toys. Create this bag almost instantly using hair gel, water or bath oil. Take a sheet of laminate and iron it on three sides to make a bag. Use padding that is suitable for children and does not have sharp edges. Add food coloring of your choice if you want the sensory bag to look more fun and attractive. Just scroll and click on the link below to get the detailed information you need for this project and get started.

7. Glitter Baby Oil Sensory Bag

This is a very light and simple sensory bag for babies and toddlers. This soft bag can be created using just three things. All you need for this sensory project is a plastic case, some baby oil, and plenty of glitter to attract the baby. This bag will keep your little one busy, making it easier for you to get through the day. Be sure to add enough glitter and sequins to keep your child entertained for hours. Let your child touch, feel and crush this homemade sensory bag that's easy to make and easy to carry.

8. Halloween Sensory Bag - Sensory Activities for Kids

How about a Halloween-inspired sensory bag for toddlers and kids? They will surely love this idea and they will not be able to leave it alone for the whole day. Add a spooky effect to this DIY baby bag project by adding plastic toys like a spider, web, bats, frog, skeleton or eye! Kids will love touching, groping, poking, squishing and squeezing this Halloween-inspired gel bag. You can even add food coloring of your choice to give the bag a spooky effect. Red or orange is the best choice.

9. I Spy Winter Wonderland Sensory Bag

Winter is here and with it comes the struggle to keep the kids at home. Make this winter sensory bag for your kids and give them a nice little gift so they don't get bored at home. Add fake snow and snowflakes, winter-themed confetti and glitter to this homemade sensory toy for toddlers and bring snow into your home! Add a tiny plastic snowman to your sensory bag if you like. Follow the link for a list of materials needed for this sensory bag and follow the instructions to make it yourself.

10. Make an ocean-themed sensory bag

Another ocean-inspired sensory bag with added glitter and glitter. The perfect way to keep your baby and toddler busy when they get in the way of your work. Playing with this DIY baby bag is so fun and relaxing that you can enjoy it too. It can also work as a stress reliever. Just get a list of materials needed to assemble this DIY sensory bag project. Then follow the step by step instructions in the link to make this cool blue ocean inspired touch case at home.

11. DIY marble sensory bag maze

How about a DIY marble maze sensory bag for your baby. The name of this gel bag project might seem a bit fancy, but it's not! This bag is easy to assemble and can be made in less than 5 minutes. All you have to do is add hair gel and blue dye, plus a balloon and pom pom. Remove any air bubbles that are present and secure the sensor bag with tape. Use tape to make a maze strip on the outside of the bag.

12. How to make spy bags for kids without sewing

Bright colors attract kids! So, try to sew these bright colored doilies without seams. sensory crafts for kids by filling them with various kinds of fillings, such as toys, sequins, sequins, lego, beads, bricks, etc. The materials needed to create this sensory bag include clear vinyl, liquid stitch, or hot glue, zip lock bags, toys, sensory filters, etc. Make this sensory bag for your little one in no time and give him a new play toy without spending hundreds on the market ones.

13. Googly Eye Sensory Bag Activity

Make this eye bag at home for your child and give him something to slurp on. You can even ask your child to help you with this fun activity. This will make them less cranky and more excited about the new toy! This do-it-yourself sensory DIY project is quite simple and all you need is zippered bags, hair gel, and a pop-eye bag. Create these DIY sensory toys full of bulging eyes for your baby, and have fun together!

14. Dementia sensory bags

How about making a sensory bag for people with dementia. They will have something to occupy themselves. All you need to make these sensory bags are zip-top bags, some hair gel or shaving cream, and some food coloring and duct tape for a secure fit. Try filling these bags with different things like glitter, sequins, beads, rubber toys, pebbles, marbles, play figures, etc. Just add whatever you like and doesn't have any pointy or sharp edges. This will help them relax!

15. DIY Giant Sensory Bag

Create this giant sensory bag that's a great activity for babies and toddlers. This DIY children's project is easy and quick to make using all the materials you already have at home. You can keep it safe as a reward for your cooperation with your child all day long! This giant padded bag project is very pocket friendly as it doesn't require you to spend thousands on it unlike the ones in the store.

Related DIY: Octopus is a very popular crochet amigurumi pattern right now. Get this crochet octopus pattern to create a beautiful toy for your babies and premature babies.

Conclusion

Now that you have 15 different ways to make your own sensory bag, you can choose and create one for anyone you want to see relaxed and happy! They are especially perfect crafts for children. Keep their likes and dislikes in mind and make a new, very simple, very cheap sensory bag at home. This is a good way to introduce children to tactile sensations. Playing with this sensory bag will also keep them occupied for a longer period. So what are you waiting for? Dig up your supplies and start working on those cool sensory crafts Today!

Sensor bag | Association of Sensory Integration Professionals

Another useful suggestion is to have a "sensory bag" or "sensory basket" that can accompany the child wherever they go from home: ... to kindergarten ... to school ... to grandmother - everywhere!

The idea is that if a child begins to lose self-control and control due to sensory stimuli or overload, then the "sensory bag" provides an opportunity to use a sensory approach to help him cope with arousal or unwanted behavior.

Since the contents of the sensory bag are tailored to each child's individual sensory needs, here are a few examples to get you started:

• Sensory soft balls (squeeze-unclench)

• Two footprints (may be placed on the floor to jump or stomp)

• Lotion with one of the most soothing fragrances (such as vanilla)

• Two handprints (may be placed on the wall for deep pressing or pushing)

• Napkin or small towel (to remove the effects of anger)

• Anything to write on, small board for writing with dry erase markers (eg magnetic)

• Shatterproof mirror (so the child can see his emotions)

• Word or picture cards (to help the child identify their emotions)

• Visual or audible timer (to encourage baby to calm down during sensory stimulation time)

• Moving when blown (like a whistle) toy, in any way making distant (muffled) sounds.

Whether you are a parent, teacher or carer of a child with sensory integration problems, this sensory approach to managing unwanted behavior can be very effective.

Our experience is that at first, children may need to be encouraged to use the sensory bag, but then they quickly “discover” this possibility for themselves and may strive to use it on their own. Why is this happening?

Because it makes them feel better and helps them regain their composure using a positive, proactive approach.

Another extremely valuable quality of the "sensory bag" is that it gives those who live with or work with the child "keys" to understanding which sensory activities help the child calm down and realign.

For example, if a child often prefers toys that move when they are blown on, five deep breaths can work well as a sedative.

Or, if the child often chooses activities that use deep pressure, such as pushing against a wall, jumping, trampling, then this may be a child who responds well to heaviness or physical exertion as a sedative.