How to Make a Fun Caterpillar Sensory Bag for Toddlers

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This fun caterpillar sensory bag is a delightful sensory activity for toddlers, allowing them to explore colors, textures, and shapes in a hands-on way.

It’s inspired by the caterpillar theme, which many toddlers love, and provides a fun, squishy sensory experience. This craft is simple to make and uses easy-to-find supplies, making it a perfect sensory activity for daycare or at home!

With just a simple ziploc bag little hands can have lots of fun and learning with these sensory play experiences without extra cost or the worry of materials being a choking hazard as you have with sensory bins. It’s a great way to let even the youngest kids get a sensory experience in a mess free way. 

Sensory Activities for Toddlers

Sensory bags are fantastic tools for toddler development. They allow children to explore different textures, colors, and shapes in a mess-free way, which can help with sensory processing, fine motor skills, and visual tracking. This caterpillar sensory bag combines all of these elements in a single activity, with the added benefit of being colorful and fun!

Caterpillar Theme

Caterpillars are popular in early childhood activities due to their bright colors and familiar shape. They’re often used in educational themes to teach about life cycles, colors, and counting. This caterpillar sensory bag can fit perfectly into a caterpillar or nature-themed day, providing toddlers with a hands-on way to explore the concept. It’s a great way to use some classic children’s stories like these Daycare Lesson Plans on “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” use.

Caterpillar Craft Sensory Bag

Here’s what you’ll need to create this fun and colorful caterpillar sensory bag:

Supplies

• (2) 8 oz Aloe Vera Gel – for the squishy base of the sensory bag
• Multicolored pom poms – in various colors for each section of the caterpillar
• Canning top (or any large circle-shaped object) – to trace the body circles
• Circle-shaped object smaller than the canning top – to trace the caterpillar head
• Black Sharpie – for drawing the caterpillar’s face
• Multicolored Sharpies – to match the pom pom colors for tracing body circles
• Zip-lock gallon-size baggie – for holding the gel and pom poms
• Packaging tape – for sealing the bag securely
• Alcohol swabs (or alcohol and cotton balls) – to remove any labeling or writing on the bag
• White cardstock – to place behind the bag for visibility and durability

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Bag

1. Remove Any Writing: Use an alcohol swab or cotton ball soaked in alcohol to erase any product labeling or writing from the zip-lock baggie, giving you a clear area to work on.

Step 2: Draw the Caterpillar Outline

1. Trace the Caterpillar’s Head: Use the smaller circle object to trace a circle for the caterpillar’s head on the outside of the baggie. Draw a face with a black Sharpie.
2. Draw the Caterpillar’s Body Circles: Use the larger canning top or other round object to trace circles in a line for the caterpillar’s body. Trace each circle with a different colored Sharpie to match the colors of the pom poms you’ll be using.

Step 3: Fill the Sensory Bag

1. Add Aloe Vera Gel: Pour about 16 oz of aloe vera gel into the zip-lock baggie, enough to create a squishy layer but not overfill.
2. Add the Pom Poms: Place the multicolored pom poms inside the bag, scattering them throughout the gel. You can match the colors to the circles drawn on the outside to help toddlers with color recognition.

Step 4: Seal the Bag

1. Remove Air: Gently press the bag to remove as much air as possible. This prevents the bag from being too puffy and makes it easier to squish.
2. Seal the Baggie: Once you’ve removed the air, seal the baggie tightly.
3. Secure with Cardstock and Tape: Place a piece of white cardstock behind the bag for added stability. Tape around the edges of the bag with packaging tape to ensure it’s securely sealed and to prevent leaks. (You can use duct tape as well)

Here is a printable version of the project:

Enjoying the Caterpillar Sensory Squish Bag

This caterpillar sensory bag is now ready for toddlers to squish, push, and explore! They can move the pom poms around, squish the gel, and watch the colors move. The bag provides a calming, tactile experience that’s great for sensory exploration.

Tips for Making the Best Caterpillar Sensory Bag

• Experiment with Other Fillers: Aloe vera gel is a great base, but you can also try hair gel, water beads, or even hand sanitizer gel if you don’t have aloe vera gel on hand.
• Double Seal for Safety: For extra security, you can double-bag the sensory bag before adding tape, especially if it will be handled frequently.
• Customize Colors: Use different color schemes based on your theme, or choose pom pom colors that match the caterpillar body circles for added color-learning benefits.

More Sensory Activities for Toddlers

If your toddlers enjoy this caterpillar sensory bag, try other sensory activities to keep them engaged and learning:

For more sensory activities for toddlers ideas, check these out:

• DIY Green Tea Sensory Playdough
• DIY Transportation Sensory Bag Activity for Kids
• How to Make Mess-Free Sprinkle Sensory Bags for Kids
• Magnetic Sensory Bottle (Easy to Make)
• Easy Fall Sensory Bottles That Are Calming For Kids
• Easy DIY Mini Sensory Bottles for Engaging Kids
• And even more fun is this super cool Glow in the Dark Sensory Bag Activity For Toddlers that stimulates even more senses with fun playing in the dark!
• Rainbow Rice Sensory Bin: Fill a bin with colored rice and small toys for toddlers to scoop, pour, and explore.
• Jelly Bean Counting: Use colorful jelly beans or buttons for a counting activity in a separate sensory bag.
• Textured Foam Mats: Create a tactile experience by gluing different textured materials to foam mats for toddlers to explore with their hands and feet.

This easy-to-make caterpillar sensory bag is a delightful and educational activity that will entertain toddlers while introducing them to colors, shapes, and textures. It’s a fun and safe way to engage their senses and make learning playful and interactive! Enjoy making and exploring this craft with your little ones.