A sensory bag is a sealed plastic bag filled with a soft material and small objects. They let children explore different textures with their hands, feet or bodies.
They are a good way to help:
- develop hand-eye coordination
- improve visual scanning
- build attention span
Your child can explore it by pressing and moving the contents around from the outside of the bag, without opening it.
Benefits of a sensory bag
A sensory bag lets children explore feel and play with textures, without things getting messy. It can help desensitise children who are sensitive to certain textures.
It can also help improve fine motor skills. Children strengthen finger and hand muscles by pressing, squeezing and moving objects in the bag.
Exploring a sensory bag can feel calming and comforting for children. It can help them manage their feelings and support emotional regulation.
Every child is different. But sensory play can sometimes help them feel more settled and in control.
Making a sensory bag
Use a resealable plastic bag - such as a freezer bag.
Use duct tape to seal the edges securely.
Materials to use
Fill the bag with materials such as:
- hair or hand gel
- water
- glycerin or baby oil
- washing-up liquid
- small beads
- sequins
- glitter
- letters
- buttons
- pompoms
- cooked pasta or rice
More ideas for filling a sensory bag
Steps to making a sensory bag
- Fill the bag to half or two-thirds full with gel or liquid, leaving space for movement. Add small objects.
- Gently press out as much of the air as possible before sealing.
- Zip the bag closed and reinforce the edges with duct tape.
- For babies and toddlers, you can tape the bag to a flat surface, like a table, highchair tray or floor. This is so it stays in place while they explore.
Ideas for filling sensory bags
Rice, dried beans or lentils
- Add a few drops of different food colouring to small bowls of dry rice.
- Mix through and allow to dry fully.
- Place into a strong freezer bag.
- Hide small toy animals inside and seal the bag.
- Use a double bag if preferred and seal well.
Breakfast cereal
Good examples to use include rice crispies and hoops.
Seal cereals well in a freezer bag.
These will give a crunching sound when squeezed with hands or feet. This bag is light to hold in small hands.
Large and small marshmallows
- Put the marshmallows into a freezer bag.
- Add small colourful or noisy toys inside.
- Seal the bag well.
Paint bags
- Choose at least three colours of paint.
- Place in a freezer bag and seal.
Children will enjoy squashing each colour into each other.
This is a good activity for engaging and talking about colours. It is also good for following direction, such as 'up' or 'down' or 'in'.
Shaving cream can also be added for effect and smell.
This content was adapted from information provided by Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in Dublin South, Kildare and West Wicklow