Busy bag ideas for toddlers and preschoolers are popular among homeschooling families to keep young children entertained while the older children are doing school, but they can be very useful for non-homeschooling families as well!
I have several busy bags made up that I can easily grab and throw into the diaper bag if need be. These are great if you’re going to a restaurant and anticipate a bit of a wait time, to bring to the doctor’s office, and well, for any other time you might need to keep your child occupied quietly. Busy bags could also be used if your toddler or preschooler is transitioning a nap time to a quiet time.
Educational Busy Bag Ideas For Young Children
1. Wooden Puzzles
I have several busy bags that are just made up of small puzzles put into a ziploc. Most of them are 12-pc wooden puzzles that the kids got for Christmas last year, and I have a couple of colour matching puzzles for my toddler.
2. Beads and Pipe Cleaners
More beads and some pipe cleaners make for another fun busy-bag. The pipe cleaners are easier to string than yarn or string is. This one might not be as suitable for when you’re out and about since beads can roll everywhere, but it’s fun for at home. This activity strengthens colour recognition and fine motor skills, and can be used to practice patterning.
3. Match Colours and Shapes
I made this busy bag for my preschooler to match colours and shapes with. My friend had given me a ton of foam beads in different shapes, and I coloured pieces of paper with markers to match the beads then laminated them. Annie (3.5 years old) likes to match the colours and shapes, and to build towers with the beads. It’s also good for making patterns. I can lay out the cards to show a colour pattern and have her copy the pattern with the beads.
4.Learning Place Value
This one is more for my 5 year old. I found this printable for free on Teachers Pay Teachers for learning place value and laminated the pieces. My son matches up the egg to the dinosaur with the same number. I only put 5 or 6 pairs in the bag at a time and switch them out every once in a while.
5. Alphabet Fishing Game
Alphabet fishing game. A button magnet fishing rod and alphabet magnets. The kids can just fish right out of the bag.
And here’s a bonus idea. Not really educational, per say, but still fun and good for fine motor skills. Can’t go wrong with stickers and paper! Kids can make mini-collages or cards, or just decorate to their hearts’ content.
What other busy bag ideas can you share with other moms? Comment below!
Savannah Berniquez
These are great. I really like the fishing game! A bag with sticky labels is a lot of fun, especially the Hello My Name Is type. Let the funny naming of everything begin!
I am very impressed with your busy bags and have pinned it on my Pinterest Board of Activities to do with Grandchildren. Thanks so much! Debbie Seiling http://bible-passages.blogspot.com and http://christian-overeaters.blogspot.com
My mom was just telling me about this the other day! What a super cool idea! Im def making a trip to dollar store soon, so I can make one!
I really like your busy bags
great ideas, stickers are always a winner
Going to make some bags up for the snow days
Actually I have made a few and will be giving the grandkids a bag today,they are stating to get excited
These ideas are fantastic! Now that school is out I need more creative fun ideas for the summer! 🙂 I’m going to have to get creative with the kids! 😀
Wow sure impressed with your busy bag
We done these as a party craft,kids had a blast
I an collecting item and will make these babg for the grandkids ….when they complain they are bored
These are a big hit here in my home
These sound like great ideas. I’m always looking for new ideas to entertain my kids.
Great ideas! I really like the Beads and Pipe Cleaners busy bag, these are great to make with my grandchildren.
I think this would be a great idea for my children – take along in the car on long drives!!
Mishelle G
These are fantastic ideas I would love to make all of these starting with matching colors and shapes
Such great ideas. The beads and pipe cleaners would be great for my 2 year old grandson. Stickers are something we do a lot of – he loves them!
These busy bags would be great to do with my grandson. Love the idea.
These would be great to make with my 2.5 year old to keep busy on cold winter days
My granddaughter also has bags with puzzles in them and she loves doing these.
The BEADS AND PIPE CLEANERS would be fun for my granddaughter who would enjoy making colourful bracelets.
These are a great idea for a quiet time for the kids.