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: Sensory Play

Ages: Baby

Prep Time: 15 Minutes

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!