Fine Motor
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SensoryToddlersPreschoolersGrade SchoolKindergartners48 Comments
Squish a simple sensory bag for easy color sorting and sensory play fun that preschoolers and toddlers will love! This color sorting sensory bag is super easy to make, too.
I created a simple sensory bag with buttons and it turned into a color sorting game for the kids during one of the free activity challenges. The challenge was to make a sensory bag!
We have a ton of sensory bag ideas and sensory bins if you want to keep the fun going.
Make a Super Easy Squishy Color Sorting Sensory Activity with Your Kids!
To make your own color sorting sensory bag, you’ll need:
- 1-2 gallon freezer bags per person (we used a ziplock bag)
- Clear hair gel (or hand soap, shampoo or conditioner, lotion)
- Buttons or pom poms in your target colors
- Sharpie markers
- Tape, (masking tape, duct tape, or painter’s tape)
Squeeze your hair gel substance into one sealable baggy. If you don’t have hair gel on hand, and kind of soap or lotion works well for this.
Put enough in there so that there will be good coverage once the bag is lying flat.
Make sure you seal the bag really, really well. You could double bag it to seal it better and make sure to contain any mess that may happen.
I inserted two colors of buttons into each sensory bag and taped it to the table. Choose any color of the rainbow you want your child to work on.
Here’s a quick video:
I created two of these squishy bags so Louis and George could both play with them, but it turned out to be fun for Henry too.
For Louis’s bag, I just left it as is. He’s still grasping the whole color recognition thing and wouldn’t have the patience to sort the colors.
He simply enjoyed moving the buttons around in the hair gel, loving the sensory experience.
When the older two got a hold of the sensory bags, I added sorting “sections” for each color.
Quick Prep to Make it a Color Sorting Sensory Bag
First, I drew on the plastic bags with permanent markers in the different colors.
I drew big circles in colors that matched the buttons.
I also wrote the name of the colors as well.
Then, the kids then pushed the buttons around in the baggy to fit into the correctly colored circles.
It became quite a fine motor task!
Find more of our fine motor activities for kids.
They wanted to do it over and over again, so I erased the permanent marker with a Magic Eraser (affiliate link) and drew new sections for them to sort their colors into!
Pro Activity Tip:
Did you know that sharpie or permanent markers comes off with dry erase markers!?
Simply scribble over top the permanent marker with the dry erase marker and wipe off clean.
What are your favorite color learning and sorting activities? Share your ideas in the comments!
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Andrew says
My Kids Love it. Earlier I used to teach them about colors using an app on my iPad, however, since I made this for them it keeps them away from their iPad, and also teaches them about colors and sorting. Thanks for sharing this.
kristen says
This just gave me a great idea! I can make one to sort shapes. Thank you!
Radhika Sharma says
Love this so much, thank you for the idea :)
Kimberly says
We love doing this sort of sensory bag! My kids love the squishiness of it and I love that the mess is contained in the bags. Wins!
Andrea Szambelan says
Okay I tried this several times the ink does not stay how are you getting the ink to stay without rubbing off some of the colors don’t even show up?
I too am using a permanent Sharpie I bought several colors and buttons and the buttons color seems to fade right away within a few hours or by the next day how are you getting it longevity wise?
I love this project but I feel like I’m epically failing no matter what I do I have tried everything from Sharpie pens to paint to everything nothing either shows up on the bag or stays and the color on the buttons fade what is everybody using?
Rachel says
As far as the marking on the bag, pretty much anything will rub off a plastic bag. Jamie mentions in the post that you can use a Magic Eraser to wipe it clean and start again. So for that, you may have to label the bag each time you want to use it. Another reader suggested writing on a piece of paper and then putting it under the bag so you could see through to it. For the buttons, I don’t think it’s anything special. Maybe use a little less of the liquid? They should last for more than a day. Good luck!
Jennifer Wilson says
At our Child Care Center, we have children from 6 weeks up to 4 year old Pre-K, and I can guarantee you that the biggest “challenge” area is Toddlers and 2’s. We are constantly on the lookout for fun learning activities that will not be that typical Toddler/2 disaster that we are all familiar with! These Sensory Bags are absolutely perfect for these ages, and I can’t wait to show them to my staff. Adding other skill levels makes them good all the way up through our age groups, as well. I never fail to find something ‘just right’ on your site. Keep up the good work!
chetana says
which liquid put in bag plz
Ann says
I really like this activity can you give me an idea of how much soap or hair gel you used?
gabriella says
what liquid did you put inside?
can u pls e.mail me??
thanx
Dalia says
Pleaee, Is it baby oil or liquid soap you added?
Carlyn Peterson says
This is liquid soap, but you can also use clear gelatin (prepared), hair gel, or even just water.
Tisha says
Great idea was wondering what was the liquid you used
Carlyn Peterson says
Hi Tisha! This bag used clear hair gel. But you could also use Jello or plain gelatin (great if there’s a baby or toddler around), or even clear hand soap!
Rinny says
I’m going to do this with my daughters!
But I think I will draw the circles on a piece of paper and just put it under it.
Maybe do a few number circles as well!
Carlyn Peterson says
That’s a great idea!!
Pail says
Great idea using it for a class I’m taking now
Mierza says
This activity is excellent. I’d love to try it.
diamon says
what will be an learning experiences question for this activity
Karen says
What age group would you recommend this for?
Jamie Reimer says
Hey Karen – my toddlers (2.5 years old) didn’t get into the sorting, but I think he’d be all over it now (at 3 years old). My 4 and 7 year old loved it though. I think its perfect for preschool age. Early preschool if you’re using it as a learning tool.
Faye says
Great activity! I have all of the materials here to do this!! Did you put coloring in the bag or did the color fade from the buttons?
Jamie Reimer says
No coloring, my hair gel just happened to be orange.
Kim says
Fun way to work on colors!
Jamie Reimer says
Thanks!
Heather says
So simple and yet wonderful! Thank you!
Jamie Reimer says
Thanks!