Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions

Sensory Bags for Babies – Helpful Tummy Time Distractions!

These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great distraction during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them!

These sensory bags for babies are so easy to make and are such a great tool to use during tummy time. Here are 4 ways you can make them!

Benefits of Sensory Bags for Babies

Even babies can enjoy sensory play! Not only are these sensory bags for babies a fun distraction during that critical tummy time, but sensory play in general, is so beneficial for baby! This type of sensory play can help build neural connections in the brain as those young hands explore new textures, colors, and sounds.

They will also strengthen hand-eye coordination, and generally, are great for baby’s rapidly developing vision.

Tummy time will be a success as they will be so curious to see and try to feel what’s inside the bags!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

Watch How to Make Sensory Bags for Babies

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy it is to make sensory bags for babies.

The 4 bags I created were all based on items I had in my home, which included a bag filled up with cheap hair gel and googly eyes, one filled with water beads, another one filled with oil, water, and food coloring; and finally, one filled up with leftover wrappers that made a crinkly sound!

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

Watch How to Make Sensory Bags for Babies

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy it is to make sensory bags for babies.

The 4 bags I created were all based on items I had in my home, which included a bag filled up with cheap hair gel and googly eyes, one filled with water beads, another one filled with oil, water, and food coloring; and finally, one filled up with leftover wrappers that made a crinkly sound!

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

Tips for Setting Up This Activity

Use What You’ve Got! As mentioned above, these sensory bags for babies were made of items I found around the house (including granola bar wrapper trash!). They do not need to be fancy, so feel free to adapt them based on what is available! Water, oil, shaving cream, water beads, hair gel, rainbow rice, paint – anything that makes a great sensory base will work well in a sensory bag!

Seal and Secure with Tape. For using sensory bags during tummy time, you’ll not only want to tape the plastic bags to the floor, but you’ll also want to first seal the zipper edge of the plastic bag with tape to prevent any spillage! Use an easy to remove masking tape for the floor, and something more strong like gorilla tape for sealing bags shut.

Make the Bag Label-Free. Both acetone, aka nail polish remover, and rubbing alcohol will remove the white label found on most plastic bags!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Remove the label on plastic bags using nail polish remover.

Step 2

Fill up your sensory bags with different sensory materials including water beads or crinkly leftover granola wrappers! You can also fill one up with oil, water and food coloring. Or you could fill one up with cheap hair gel and something like googly eyes!

Step 3

Seal the bags shut with strong tape. This is especially important when using liquids. Plastic bag’s built in zipper are not fool proof and are prone to breaking, so this will help prevent a clean up headache!

Step 4

Tape the sensory bags to the ground so that baby can enjoy looking at them and touching them during tummy time without the bags sliding around!

Step 1

Remove the label on plastic bags using nail polish remover.

Step 2

Fill up your sensory bags with different sensory materials including water beads or crinkly leftover granola wrappers! You can also fill one up with oil, water and food coloring. Or you could fill one up with cheap hair gel and something like googly eyes!

Step 3

Seal the bags shut with strong tape. This is especially important when using liquids. Plastic bag’s built in zipper are not fool proof and are prone to breaking, so this will help prevent a clean up headache!

Step 4

Tape the sensory bags to the ground so that baby can enjoy looking at them and touching them during tummy time without the bags sliding around!

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

Top Baby Toy Picks

Here are a few of our top picks for toys that are great for baby development!

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

SHOP NOW

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

SHOP NOW

Tummy Time Splash-Free Mat

This mess-free aquatic themed water mat is great for tummy time and strengthening baby’s neck and shoulders!

SHOP NOW

Baby’s 1st Ball

This easy to grasp ball is perfect for young babies just learning how to hold objects and later transfer them from hand to hand.

SHOP NOW

What’s Next?

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our second month!

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our first month!

Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Free Printable Version

Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Bands

DIY Baby Toy – How to Make Sensory Wrist Rattles

diy baby toy how to make black and white wrist rattles

This DIY baby toy is so easy to make! Babies will enjoy exploring the high contrast colors and jingly sounds of these homemade rattles that can be placed on their wrists or feet!

Benefits of this DIY Baby Toy

Around 2 months, babies begin to discover their hands. This DIY baby toy is a great way for babies to continue to explore those hands and develop their strength through sound and high contrast colors! With bells enclosed inside the felt band, they can hear rattling. Plus, the high contrast colors of the white band with the black jumbo pom poms is great for vision development in babies.

The wrist bands attach with velcro making them easy to put on and off by adults, but not easy for babies to take off! So they perfect for bringing on-the-go because they are secure and won’t be easily lost!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

Watch How to Make This DIY Baby Toy

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy this DIY baby toy is to make!

We attached them to the wrist, but you could make them for the feet too! I used high contrast colors because they are great for younger babies, but you could also use other more vibrant colors especially for older babies whose vision is more developed.

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

Watch How to Make This DIY Baby Toy

In this quick video, you’ll see how easy this DIY baby toy is to make!

We attached them to the wrist, but you could make them for the feet too! I used high contrast colors because they are great for younger babies, but you could also use other more vibrant colors especially for older babies whose vision is more developed.

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

Tips for Setting Up This Activity

Extra Large Pom Poms. As babies develop their hand control, they usually bring them straight to their mouths. This is why using extra large pom poms, 1.75 inches and larger, is important to avoid any concerns for choking hazards.

Parts Need to Be Secured. The bells inside the velcro straps need to be firmly secured as they are small parts and it would be very dangerous if they were to get loose. Therefore, strong glue must be used or, alternatively, the pieces can be sewed together. Either way, supervision is required at all times.

Wake Windows. A wake window is that short time in between feeding and sleeping (or being changed!). Between 0-12 weeks wake windows can be between 60-75 minutes and up to 2 hours by 4 months. During this time, babies will benefit greatly from activities like this that not only stimulate their bodies, but their brains too. Be sure to grab these moments during the wake windows or else baby may get tired and cranky and may not want to play!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Firmly secure bells onto a strip of felt.

Step 2

Glue another strip of felt on top to enclose the bells.

Step 3

Glue extra large pom poms onto the felt band.

Step 4

Use velcro stickers on the ends so that the band can open and close around baby’s wrist.

Step 1

Firmly secure bells onto a strip of felt.

Step 2

Glue another strip of felt on top to enclose the bells.

Step 3

Glue extra large pom poms onto the felt band.

Step 4

Use velcro stickers on the ends so that the band can open and close around baby’s wrist.

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

black and white high contrast stimulation cards for babies newborns free printable

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

More High Contrast Activities

Here are my top picks for more ways babies can play with black and white!

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

SHOP NOW

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

SHOP NOW

Take Along Mobile

This mobile has black and white colors, calming music, and an adjustable arm that can fit many different environments.

SHOP NOW

Rattles

This set of plush rattles have an animal design, black and white patterns, crinkly paper, and other sounds that are perfect for babies.

SHOP NOW

What’s Next?

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our second month!

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our first month!

Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Free Printable Version

Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

Baby Activity at 3 months – Fun with Balloons

Baby Activity at 3 Months – Fun with Balloons

baby activity at 3 months balloon kicking

Tying balloons to the hands and feet is a great baby activity at 3 months. Keep on reading to find out all the benefits of this activity for babies!

Benefits of This Balloon Activity for Babies

During the first three months of a babies life, they sleep quite often, but there are some precious wake windows where babies can start to have fun and begin to strengthen important skills!

This is a great baby activity at 3 months because it’s an important time for babies to improve their visual tracking skills, and stay on the back before they begin rolling over from stomach to back.

It’s also a great way to keep baby busy, engaged, and strengthening gross motor skills with every kick and punch! As each arm and leg raise and move the balloons around, babies will also be developing an understanding of cause and effect!

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

How to Set Up This Baby Activity at 3 Months

This activity is as easy as grabbing some balloons, using helium to blow them up, and tying 2-4 of them with string to baby’s hands and feet.

In this video you’ll see how my 3 month old enjoyed kicking, moving her arms, and tracking the balloons as they moved up, down, and side to side.

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

How to Set Up This Baby Activity at 3 Months

This activity is as easy as grabbing some balloons, using helium to blow them up, and tying 2-4 of them with string to baby’s hands and feet.

In this video you’ll see how my 3 month old enjoyed kicking, moving her arms, and tracking the balloons as they moved up, down, and side to side.

For more baby activities, visit our comprehensive list of ideas.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Tips for Setting Up This Activity

Ballon Type. While you can use any color balloon, the younger the baby, the more useful black and white balloons are due to their ability to see high contrast images better. Also be sure to grab some helium to keep the balloons up high!

Wake Windows. A wake window is that short time in between feeding and sleeping (or being changed!). Between 0-12 weeks wake windows can be between 60-75 minutes and up to 2 hours by 4 months. During this time, babies will benefit greatly from activities like this that not only stimulate their bodies, but their brains too. Be sure to grab these moments during the wake windows or else baby may get tired and cranky and may not want to play!

Supervision. It goes without saying that supervision is key! This is not an activity for babies to be left alone doing. Once you finish playing, safely dispose of the strings and balloons in the trash.

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

Get FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

Need more fun things to do with baby? This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own – perfect for tummy time!

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

More High Contrast Activities

Here are my top picks for more ways babies can play with black and white!

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

SHOP NOW

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

SHOP NOW

Take Along Mobile

This mobile has black and white colors, calming music, and an adjustable arm that can fit many different environments.

SHOP NOW

Rattles

This set of plush rattles have an animal design, black and white patterns, crinkly paper, and other sounds that are perfect for babies.

SHOP NOW

What’s Next?

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our second month!

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our first month!

Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Free Printable Version

Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

Tummy Time Positions for Newborns and Babies

There isn’t just one way to do tummy time! Keep reading to find out about different tummy time positions for newborns and babies!

Why is Tummy Time Important?

As you have probably heard tummy time is so important for newborns and babies! It strengthens babies neck and shoulder muscles and is, overall, fantastic for their motor skills.

Because babies sleep so much during the day, and the recommended position for sleep is on the back, the time they have to be on their tummies is limited. It’s important to take advantage of placing baby on their stomachs during wakeful moments so they can work on these important skills!

However, tummy time is not limited to being on the floor. You can also explore doing the football hold, tummy to tummy, and tummy to lap positions!

By 2 months, it’s recommended to do tummy time for 15 minutes a day, in 5 minute increments. However, I have found that I don’t need to count the minutes if I rotate all the different ways of doing tummy time throughout the day.

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

3 Alternative Tummy Time Positions for Newborns and Babies

In this quick video you’ll see the 3 alternative tummy time positions for newborns and babies that aren’t on the floor: the football hold, tummy to tummy, and tummy to lap.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

3 Alternative Tummy Time Positions for Newborns and Babies

In this quick video you’ll see the 3 alternative tummy time positions for newborns and babies that aren’t on the floor: the football hold, tummy to tummy, and tummy to lap.

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Get the FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

This free printable set of black and white cards for babies are a great way to keep babies alert and interested during tummy time. The set includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own.

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

Other Benefits of Tummy Time Positions for Newborns and Babies

In addition to strengthening neck and shoulder muscles, tummy time gets babies on track for developing other motor skills including rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and ultimately walking.

Another benefit of placing babies on their tummy during wakeful periods is that it can help them avoid developing flat spots on the back of their head!

For more activities for babies visit our comprehensive list!

Other Benefits of Tummy Time Positions for Newborns and Babies

In addition to strengthening neck and shoulder muscles, tummy time gets babies on track for developing other motor skills including rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and ultimately walking.

Another benefit of placing babies on their tummy during wakeful periods is that it can help them avoid developing flat spots on the back of their head!

For more activities for babies visit our comprehensive list!

More Activities for Newborn and Young Babies

Here are my top picks for more ways babies can play!

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

SHOP NOW

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

SHOP NOW

Take Along Mobile

This mobile has black and white colors, calming music, and an adjustable arm that can fit many different environments.

SHOP NOW

Rattles

This set of plush rattles have an animal design, black and white patterns, crinkly paper, and other sounds that are perfect for babies.

SHOP NOW

What’s Next?

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our second month!

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our first month!

Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Free Printable Version

Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

Black and White Patterns for Babies – Free Printable Cards

There are a ton of benefits to providing black and white patterns for babies. Keep on reading to find out what they are and to get your free printable set of 12 dozen cards here.

Why Black and White Patterns for Babies Are Important!

Did you know that for the first months of a baby’s life their vision is super blurry! In fact, they can only see about 12 inches in front of them. Plus it isn’t until around 3 months when they can start to see colors. Before that, all they can see is black, white, and grays.

But during the time between birth and 6 months, a baby’s eyesight is developing at super speed! And allowing for your baby to look at black and white, high contrast images and toys provides them a great opportunity to stimulate their vision, strengthen optic nerves, and help their brains and eyes to coordinate.

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

How to Use the Free Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

This activity can be set up in no time! Since it is a free printable, all you have to do is grab the free printable from the link below, print it, and tape it together to have it stand alone (if you so choose!). In the video, you will see that I also laminated the cards before taping them to make them more durable and long lasting.

My baby at one and a half months old was mesmerized by the patterns and enjoyed looking at them during tummy time, when her diaper was changed, and in the car!

How to Use the Free Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

This activity can be set up in no time! Since it is a free printable, all you have to do is grab the free printable from the link below, print it, and tape it together to have it stand alone (if you so choose!). In the video, you will see that I also laminated the cards before taping them to make them more durable and long lasting.

My baby at one and a half months old was mesmerized by the patterns and enjoyed looking at them during tummy time, when her diaper was changed, and in the car!

Get the FREE Printable Black and White Patterns for Babies

This free printable set of black and white cards for babies includes 12 different high contrast images. Plus, tape them together to make them stand up on their own.

Make sure that you are allowing your baby to view them at a close distance. Remember, everything gets very blurry after 12-15 inches away from them!

And for even more printable activities, visit our Printable Shop. It is filled with easy to set-up activities that help strengthen early childhood education skills!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Where to Use the Black and White Cards

There are so many great opportunities to use these black and white cards, here are just a few ideas!

Tummy Time. These cards definitely help to hold and lengthen attention span during tummy time!

Diaper Changing. Prop some up on the side of your table to make diaper changing a little easier!

Car Seat. Safely tape some images to the seat in front of the baby to give them some car ride entertainment!

Where to Use the Black and White Cards

There are so many great opportunities to use these black and white cards, here are just a few ideas!

Tummy Time. These cards definitely help to hold and lengthen attention span during tummy time!

Diaper Changing. Prop some up on the side of your table to make diaper changing a little easier!

Car Seat. Safely tape some images to the seat in front of the baby to give them some car ride entertainment!

More High Contrast Activities

Here are my top picks for more ways babies can play with black and white!

Play Gym

This item is the ultimate play gym for babies with multi-sensory areas, 3 rattles, and lots of black and white cards!

SHOP NOW

Crinkle Activity Book

This black and white activity book includes a mirror as well as black and white images that prop up easily.

SHOP NOW

Take Along Mobile

This mobile has black and white colors, calming music, and an adjustable arm that can fit many different environments.

SHOP NOW

Rattles

This set of plush rattles have an animal design, black and white patterns, crinkly paper, and other sounds that are perfect for babies.

SHOP NOW

What’s Next?

Rotating Toys in Our Playroom – Month 2

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our second month!

Toy Rotation Ideas for Kids – Month 1

Do you need some ideas for toy rotations? Every month, I plan on sharing our playroom and how I rotate the toys. Welcome to our first month!

Cutting Practice for Preschoolers with Free Printable Version

Make cutting practice for preschoolers fun with this activity! Kids will cut away the top layer of paper to reveal a picture underneath!

Color Mixing Activity – The Color Path

Color Mixing Activity – The Colorful Path

This color mixing activity is a fun way to get kids on their feet! This is where gross motor, sensory play, and science collide to discover how primary colors mix to form secondary colors!

Even the littlest of kids can enjoy this one! Using plastic bags to mix the paint is low prep and keeps things mess free!

Plus, Once your kiddo stamps on the bags to create a secondary color, you can use that paint for an art project!

Read on to see how simple this is to set up and what materials I used, including paint and tape!

All activities should be supervised by an adult. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links.

Skills:

Ages:

Prep Time:

Watch the Video to See the Color Mixing Activity in Action

Back and forth, back and forth! My kids enjoyed running on top of the colorful bags, mixing them with their feet as well as getting on the floor and mixing them with their hands!

They made guesses of what colors were going to form, and enjoyed the mess-free sensory experience!

Watch the Video to See the Color Mixing Activity in Action

Back and forth, back and forth! My kids enjoyed running on top of the colorful bags, mixing them with their feet as well as getting on the floor and mixing them with their hands!

They made guesses of what colors were going to form, and enjoyed the mess-free sensory experience!

How to Make Your Own Gross Motor Color Mixing Activity

This requires the simplest of materials! Everything we used, you likely already have in your home!

If you’ve been following along on our play journey, you know we constanty save and use cardboard! So naturally, this is what we used as the foundation of our sensory path!

In addition, I will break down everything that we used to keep this color mixing activity vibrant, yet mess-free!

Materials

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

Use an alcohol swab to remove the white label on top of the plastic bag. This is optional, but it allows you to see into the bag more clearly!

Step 2

Fill plastic bags up with paint, each with 2 colors that will form a secondary color. Blue and yellow to form green. Yellow and red to form orange. And blue and red to form purple.

Step 3

Tape the bags over the zipper portion to give extra security in case of the bag opening.

Step 4

Tape the bags onto the floor, or first on to cardboard (like we did!) as an extra security in case a bag ruptures.

Step 5

Task children with mixing up the paint using their feet. Walking back and forth until the colors combine. Make guesses, and enjoy discovering the results!

Step 1

Use an alcohol swab to remove the white label on top of the plastic bag. This is optional, but it allows you to see into the bag more clearly!

Step 2

Fill plastic bags up with paint, each with 2 colors that will form a secondary color. Blue and yellow to form green. Yellow and red to form orange. And blue and red to form purple.

Step 3

Tape the bags over the zipper portion to give extra security in case of the bag opening.

Step 4

Tape the bags onto the floor, or first on to cardboard (like we did!) as an extra security in case a bag ruptures.

Step 5

Task children with mixing up the paint using their feet. Walking back and forth until the colors combine. Make guesses, and enjoy discovering the results!

Color Mixing Activity Printable

We created a super fun printable that explores color mixing. The set includes 5 hands on activities all about colors and color mixing!

Enjoy coloring and distinguishing each of the colors in the rainbow! Then, learn all about what happens when primary colors mix to form secondary colors. Next, learn about shades (making colors darker) and tints (making colors lighter). And finally, go over all those concepts in a final round up review!

For this printable color mixing activity set plus many other printables visit our Printable Shop!

Educational Benefits of Color Mixing

There are so many benefits a child can gain through color mixing activities, especially gross motor ones like this!

They will experience the concept of cause and effect. When they cause the two primary colors mix, they will see the effects visually in the new color they created!

This activity is also a great way for even the youngest of kids to learn color recognition. Not only will they be able to distinguish primary colors from secondary colors, but will enjoy the process of creating them!

This is also a great opportunity for language development. Asking questions, making predictions, and discussing the names of the different colors is key!

Last but not least there are both gross motor and fine motor skills being experienced in this color mixing activity. My having children walk over the color path, they are exercising their gross motor skills. Then, they can sit down on the ground and use their hands to mix the colors, exercising their fine motor skills too!

Educational Benefits of Sensory Play

There are so many benefits a child can gain through color mixing activities, especially gross motor ones like this!

They will experience the concept of cause and effect. When they cause the two primary colors mix, they will see the effects visually in the new color they created!

This activity is also a great way for even the youngest of kids to learn color recognition. Not only will they be able to distinguish primary colors from secondary colors, but will enjoy the process of creating them!

This is also a great opportunity for language development. Asking questions, making predictions, and discussing the names of the different colors is key!

Last but not least there are both gross motor and fine motor skills being experienced in this color mixing activity. My having children walk over the color path, they are exercising their gross motor skills. Then, they can sit down on the ground and use their hands to mix the colors, exercising their fine motor skills too!

Store-Bought Color Mixing Activities

Here are my top picks for toys you can buy that are all about color mixing!

Color Mixing Glasses

Layer colored lenses in the plastic glasses to see different shades of colors all around you!

SHOP NOW

Splash of Color Kit

This great kit includes a mini mixing tray, color mixing tablets, and pipettes for creating an amazing splash of colors!

SHOP NOW

Watercolor Set

This set includes paint, brushes, and paper. Watercolors are a classic way to watch colors mix and create new shades.

SHOP NOW

Steve Spangler Science Color Fizzers

This set of 100 tablets comes in primary colors. You can mix the colored water to create different colors.

SHOP NOW