OCEAN CLEAN UP SENSORY BAG
Ocean Clean-Up Sensory Bag
The bag lady is back! I know every time I share a sensory bag I say that it’s my favorite but this is actually my favorite (until the next one!) I get so excited when a new idea for a sensory bag comes up because they are so easy to make and so entertaining for toddlers and preschoolers!
For this sensory activity, the theme was ocean clean-up. The whole thing including the plastic bag and tape is like one big representation of cleaning up the ocean. Apart from the fun of moving the magnetic items around the ocean sensory bag, use it as an opportunity to talk about waste and the consciousness of reusing items. If we talk about it when our little ones are young, they grow up with a conscious mindset about our environment.
YOU’LL NEED:
Gallon size, freezer grade, plastic bag (I used @Ziploc)
1 cup water
INSTRUCTIONS:
Paste the stickers randomly inside the bag.
Add one drop of blue food coloring to the cup of water and pour it into the bag.
Add the paper clips and cut-up pipe cleaners to the bag.
Close the bag making sure there is little to no air in the bag.
Tape it down and use the magnetic wand to move the paper clips and pipe cleaners to the top of the bag.
Don't worry if you don't have a magnet wand like the one I use in the video, just hot glue a magnet to a popsicle stick to create an easy DIY wand! There's always a homemade version of DIY of everything! And it is a much more fun alternative.
Sensory Bag Ideas
Underwater Sensory Delight
Dive even deeper into the ocean with an underwater-themed sensory bag. Fill a ziplock bag with blue hair gel, and a sprinkle of glitter for some extra sparkle, and throw in some small plastic sea creatures. Watch as your little ones move the creatures around in the swirling ocean, their imaginations taking them on incredible underwater adventures.
Sandy Beach Sensations
Bring the beach to your home with a sandy beach sensory bag. Fill a ziplock bag with sand (you can grab some at a local beach or purchase child-safe play sand), add small plastic sea animals, and let your little ones squish and wiggle their fingers through the sand while exploring the ocean life underneath. It's like a seaside vacation right at home!
Jellyfish Sensory Extravaganza
Create a mesmerizing sensory bag filled with floating jellyfish! Fill a ziplock bag with water and a few drops of blue food coloring, add some plastic jellyfish (you can find them at your local dollar store or online), and seal it up tight. Squeeze the bag gently to create a calming ocean effect with the floating jellyfish. It's a hypnotic sensation that will captivate your little ones.
Treasure Hunt Sensory Bag
Ahoy, matey! Embark on a treasure hunt with this exciting sensory bag. Fill a ziplock bag with blue hair gel, throw in some plastic gold coins, and bury them beneath the gel. Watch as your little ones squish and search for buried treasure, developing their fine motor skills and creativity along the way. It's an adventure filled with surprises and joy. Avast, me hearties!
Remember, that sensory play is not only entertaining but also incredibly beneficial for little ones. It stimulates their senses, enhances their motor skills, and fosters imaginative thinking. So dive in and let the ocean-themed sensory bins and bags transport your child to a world filled with wonder and delight!