Ocean Sensory Bag for Kids (2024)

How to make an ocean-themed sensory bag for kids to enjoy some under-the-sea fun with ocean animals and small toys!

An ocean themed sensory bag is just what your child needs to have fun this summer with fish, octopus, and other sea creatures. A trip to the ocean isn’t required for your baby, toddler, or preschooler to have some ocean themed fun! As they squeeze and squish the sensory bag, the ocean animals will move inside and sway back and forth like waves in the ocean.

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While you’re visiting, don’t miss the rest of our Ocean Themed activities.

Your little one can make a Sea Animal Coffee Filter Craft (easy for kids of all ages), have fun with free printable play dough mats, and read a free printable Ocean Animal Book that’s fun to color.

Originally I made this ocean sensory bag for my baby (Little Dog, age 10 months) but I couldn’t keep my bigger kids hands off of it. In fact, they liked the sensory bag so much they decided to make their own and they are 8 and 6. Originally I was thinking this would be a good baby, toddler, preschooler activity, but now I get to include kindergarten and second grade too. Honestly, no matter what age your child is, they will want to give this sensory bag a squeeze.

What Bag Should I Use to Make a Sensory Bag?

You can easily make the sensory bag in a disposable ziploc bag or try our new favorite Reusable FDA Food Grade Storage Bags,-affiliate link). They are thicker and reusable so I feel like I get my monies worth out of them. They are not as clear as disposable bags, but I found if we wipe it down with a wet towel it makes it easier to see through.

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How to Make an Ocean Sensory Bag

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Supplies:

• Plastic Bag (We LOVE these Reusable FDA Food Grade Storage Bags,-affiliate link)
• Water
• Blue food coloring
• Under the Sea Creatures-affiliate link
• Glass Gems-affiliate link

Directions:

You can watch our video or follow below to the directions.

Place Plastic Ocean Animals-affiliate link inside the bag.

Place glass gems in the bag. These are optional, but they look so cool. Originally I did not include them in my bag but when my daughter made her own sensory bag she added them in and they looked so cool. They also gave my baby something else to touch and my kids something to count.

Add some water to the bag and a few drops of blue food coloring.

Remove the air from the bag and close it. If you are using a ziplock bag you may want to add some duct tape to the top. Now the bag is ready to play with. If you have extra sea animals leftover you should make a Mini Aquarium Sensory Bottle too!

Check out More Ocean Activities:

Paper Plate Rainbow Fish

Learning about the Layers of the Ocean Craft

Thanks for playing with us today. We have more Sensory Play Ideas here.