Fortunately, there is a simple way to add “clean,” sensory play to your routine—amazing DIY sensory squish bags! I guarantee you that your little ones will be fascinated by these.

My kids love sensory play, and I love all the benefits it brings them (including improved creativity, practice with fine motor skills, and cognitive development).

Still, while experimenting with sensory items is fun for both of us, I don’t always love the mess, and inevitable clean-up, involved.

There are many different ways that you can make a sensory bag for kids. Today, I will show you how to make some awesome bags using basic supplies like hair gel, food coloring, paint, sequins, pom poms, glitter, and beads.

These are easy to make and super fun for kiddos to play with. Enjoy!

Supplies You’ll Need

• Zip bags
• Packing clear tape
• Clear hair gel*
• Scissors
• Food coloring
• Spoon
• Stick
• Acrylic paints (red yellow blue)
• Sequins
• Pom poms two different colours
• Glitter
• Large plastic beads in 3 different colours
• 3 permanent markers in the same or similar colour as beads

*The hair gel provides fluidity for the objects to be pushed around.

How to Make DIY Sensory Squish Bag

Step 1. To make the first bag, get one color of acrylic paint and add some to the inside of your large zip bag.

Step 2. Now, add some hair gel. You will need a different amount of gel depending on how big your bag is.

For a larger bag, you can add 2/3 of a cup. For a smaller bag, 1/3 of a cup should be fine.

Step 3. Next, remove the excess air from the bag and reinforce the zipper seal using packing tape. For extra protection, you can add tape around all the edges of the bag.

Step 4. Once the bag is sealed, use your hands to mix and combine the hair gel and paint by squeezing, rolling, and kneading the outside of the bag.

Step 5. Little ones will enjoy using this bag to write letters and numbers, draw with their fingers, and more!

Step 6. Begin making a similar sensory bag but use three different paint colors this time. Add the paint to the bag first.

Step 7. Then, add the hair gel.

Step 8. Now, mix it together after sealing the edges and enjoy!

Step 9. Let’s make another bag by drawing three different colored circles in permanent marker on the bag.

Step 10. Then, pour some beads into the bag.

Step 11. Add some hair gel and remove the excess air from the bag.

Step 12. Seal it up and your bag is ready to go!

Step 13. For the next bag, add the hair gel first, followed by food coloring. Close the bag and mix together.

Step 14. Pour some sequins into the bag.

Step 15. Now, remove the excess air and seal the bag with tape.

Step 16. Mix it together and another beautiful bag is ready!

Step 17. For the last bag, add pom poms and glitter first.

Step 18. Then, add your hair gel, remove the excess air, and mix it all together. Have fun!

How Long Does This DIY Sensory Squish Bag Take to Make?

In total, making one of these bags will take you only about 5 minutes. Fast projects that entertain kids for a long time are always a winner in my book.

More Craft Ideas

• DIY Squishy Donuts
• DIY Shampoo Slime
• DIY Squishy Soap
• DIY Galaxy Jars