How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers

Take a look at our easy instructions on how to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers using laminator pouches and gel. We have 6 sensory bag ideas, each with something different inside to discover, look at and squish around. These sensory bag ideas for babies and toddlers take minutes to make and they are perfect for young children who are exploring their sense of touch and sight. You can have your own homemade baby sensory toys made in minutes!

If you are looking for easy sensory play ideas for babies and toddlers making laminator pouch sensory bags are perfect! These sensory bags are easy to make, they are small and flat so they can easily be stored and they are durable! We have had our laminator pouch sensory bags for a couple of years and never had any leaks! 

As well as making a set of laminator pouch sensory bags you may also like to make a set of sensory bags from ziplock bags or make some sensory bottles for babies and toddlers to enjoy. 

We have lots more baby activities for you to browse through too. Younger babies will love simple sensory activities like playing with a foil blanket or exploring a discovery basket. If you are feeling adventurous you could even create a sensory fort for babies to enjoy! 

Older babies and toddlers looking for sensory activities might enjoy playing with rainbow spaghetti, painting with taste-safe ice paints or creating no-mess art. 

How to make sensory bags

Below you will find our easy step-by-step instructions to make your own set of sensory bags for babies and toddlers to enjoy.

To make sensory bags you will need

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A4 laminator pouches (UK link / US link)

Iron or hair straighteners

Hair gel

Small objects to fill your bags with (for example): 

• Buttons (UK link, US link)
• googly eyes, (UK link, US link)
• foam numbers, (UK link, US link)
• sequins (UK link, US link)
• wooden hearts (UK link, US link)

To add colour I recommend: wilton colour gel (UK link/ US link) 

How to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers using laminator pouches

STEP 1: Gather your sensory bag supplies

The fun thing about making homemade sensory bags is that there is no right or wrong way to do it! You can add anything you like to your sensory bags and your baby will love exploring them. 

I would suggest taking some time to gather your supplies for your sensory bags and think about a few different sensory bag ideas before you begin. We have included 6 sensory bag ideas below that we think are perfect for sensory play for babies and toddlers. 

STEP 2: Prepare laminator pouches for sensory bags

A4 laminator pouches are a little large for a babies or toddlers hands so I would suggest cutting them in half to make them A5 size. Once you are happy with the size of your laminator pouches you need to prepare them by sealing 3 sides of the pouches. 

You can use an iron or hair straightener to seal the 3 sides of your laminator pouch. I used my iron on medium heat and ran it slowly along the edge of the pouch. Leave the 4th edge open so you can fill the sensory bag. 

STEP 3: Fill sensory bag with hair gel and small objects. 

Spoon in a bit of hair gel into the open laminator pouch. I added two large spoons to each pouch. Then  add a few exciting objects to the sensory bag for your baby or toddler to discover. The great thing about homemade baby sensory toys is that you can adjust the contents to your own child's interests. (There are 6 sensory bag ideas below)

STEP 4: Seal the laminator pouch sensory bag 

Wipe away any hair gel from the top of the laminator pouch (where you will seal it) and then seal the pouch by running your iron or hair straighteners along the final side of the pouch.

Leave the sensory bag to cool for a minute and then squeeze the pouch to see if there are any weak spots where the gel could escape. If there are just re-seal them using your iron or hair straighteners.

STEP 5: Engage in sensory play for babies and toddlers

Let your baby or toddler enjoy exploring their new sensory bags. Sensory bags are fantastic homemade baby sensory toys as they allow babies and toddlers to explore objects that are too small or unsafe for them to handle.

Six different sensory bag ideas

Make a pretty Spring sensory bag using butterfly and flower sequins.

Babies will love exploring the texture of different-sized buttons.

Toddlers that are starting to get interested in numbers would love this foam number sensory bag. 

Make a spooky Halloween sensory bag using different sized googly eyes.

Use food colouring to add a bit of colour to the hair gel.  (I used wilton gel food colouring).

Make a heart themed sensory bag using wooden hearts, sequins and red colouring (a perfect valentines day sensory bag).

These sensory bags were made for Daisy aged 6 months, but Harry age 3 seems just as fascinated with them! 

The sensory bags are a great size for little hands (and mouths) to explore and the plastic is strong enough to withhold lots of squeezing, pulling and squashing. 

Daisy had great fun playing with these in her DIY fort for babies.

So now you know how to make sensory bags for babies and toddlers! We hope that you have discovered a few new sensory bag ideas to try and that your babies and toddlers enjoy their new homemade baby sensory toys. 

Take a look at all our other baby activities for even more sensory play ideas!