Ocean Sensory Bag

Ever wished you could bring the beach indoors for your little ocean explorer? Look no further than a captivating ocean sensory bag! Perfect for a preschool beach theme or any day yearning for sandy toes and salty breezes, this DIY activity is a sensory extravaganza waiting to be unleashed.

Our ocean in a bag bursts with delightful textures, vibrant colors, and fascinating ocean creatures, all conveniently contained in a plastic pouch for mess-free exploration. Get ready to dive into a world of squishing, squeezing, and discovering the wonders of the deep – all from the comfort of your living room!

If sealed properly, this sensory activity is perfect for even your youngest kiddos. My 15 month grandson loves it when I make a smaller version of this and tape it to his highchair tray. 

Ocean Sensory Bag

This preschool sensory bag will make a great addition to so many preschool units. Add it to your O is for Ocean and B is for Beach lessons. If you’re studying animals or animal habitats, this works well with those themes too. 

What You’ll Need

• Freezer Bag
• Ocean animals ( can be found at the dollar store or party supply)
• 1 cup of Sand
• Bottle of blue body wash, or blue hand soap
• Sea shells
• Blue Water Beads ( optional )

What You’ll Do

To start, set your freezer bag upright so you can pour the items in. You may want to set it in a tall cup or vase so that it doesn’t fall over as you add items. 

First, add the sand. You can use natural colored sand or colored sand. Pouring is a good skill to teach preschoolers, so you could let them do the pouring. If you plan to let your little ones do this step, you may want to do it outdoors or on newspaper so as not to be messy if there is a spill.

Now, it’s time to add your ocean animals and sea shells. This is a great time to talk about the animals and shells. You can talk about the unique characteristics of each animal. Which ones have your preschoolers seen at the zoo or aquarium?

Add in some literacy practice by discussing beginning sounds and/or syllables. Match the animals to animals in your child’s favorite ocean animals books. 

To make the “ocean”, add bottle of blue body wash or hand soap. You could use hair gel, as well. If you can’t find blue liquids, you can use clear liquids and add blue Orbeez or food coloring. 

Talk about the ocean, waves, and your child’s favorite part of their last beach vacation. 

To finish this project, zip the bag closed. Try to squeeze out as much air as you can so the bag will lay flat. 

For preschoolers, I would add a strip of duct tape around each of the edges so that the bag is less likely to pop. For infants and toddlers, I suggest taping the bag to their highchair tray, table top, or the floor. This will keep the bag out of their mouths. 

Now that your ocean sensory bag is complete let your preschoolers play. This activity bag is sure to inspire sensory play for days to come. 

Ocean Sensory Bag Variations

The beauty of the ocean sensory bag is its versatility! Here are some ways to customize it based on your child’s age and interests:

Sparkle and Shine: For an extra dose of magic, add a sprinkle of glitter or holographic sequins to the bag. It will shimmer and sparkle as your child explores, creating a dazzling underwater world.

Dive Deeper: Change the base color of the hair gel to create a different underwater scene. Use green or teal for a vibrant coral reef theme, or even purple for a mysterious deep-sea exploration! Add different textured objects like crushed fake coral or small pebbles to further enhance the specific environment.

Sensory Scavenger Hunt: Hide small ocean creature toys within the bag and have your child search for them using their sense of touch. This adds an element of discovery and keeps them engaged for longer.

Ocean Soundscape: Pair the sensory bag with calming ocean sounds or calming music to create a truly immersive underwater experience.

With creativity, you can transform your basic ocean sensory bag into a dynamic and ever-evolving learning and play tool!

Ocean in a Bag Craft

Dive into a world of underwater exploration with your ocean sensory bag! Let your little ones unleash their inner oceanographer by squeezing, shaking, and tilting the bag to create rolling waves and swirling currents. The bag’s mesmerizing textures – the cool smoothness of the hair gel, the squishy pop of water beads, and the bumpy shells – provide a delightful sensory experience.

As they explore, use the bag as a springboard for learning and conversation. Point out the different sea creatures and talk about their unique features. Discuss the textures they feel – is the octopus slimy or the starfish bumpy? Explore the cool blues and greens of the “ocean water” and talk about the different colors found in the real ocean. The calming, rhythmic movement of the bag can also be a great tool for focusing restless energy or providing a soothing sensory experience.

Ocean Books for Preschool

Buckle up, little explorers! This section sets sail for a world of wonder beneath the waves. With captivating ocean books, your preschooler will embark on a delightful journey filled with fascinating discoveries. Get ready to dive deep into the magic of the sea!

Inky the Octopus – Bored with aquarium life, Inky the octopus dreams of adventure. Determined to explore the unknown, Inky puts his intelligence and adaptability to the test as he hatches a daring escape to the wide-open ocean.

Commotion in the Ocean – Dive into a rhythmic adventure beneath the waves with “Commotion in the Ocean”! This colorful book bursts with playful rhymes as a cast of sea creatures makes a joyful racket. From the clicks and whistles of dolphins to the grumpy clicks of crabs, get ready to explore the lively sounds and vibrant world of the ocean.

The Three Little Fish and the Big Bad Shark – In a fin-tastic twist on a classic tale, three little fish build their homes underwater. The first two choose easy options, but a hungry shark gobbles them up! Luckily, the clever third fish finds a haven, and together, they outsmart the shark in a hilarious (and toothless) ending.

The ocean sensory bag is a treasure trove of fun, learning, and calming exploration for curious little minds. It’s a mess-free, engaging activity that can be enjoyed indoors any day.

So, why not bring the magic of the ocean home and watch your child’s imagination set sail? We hope this blog post has inspired you to create your ocean sensory bag.

Tara

Tara is the brains behind Homeschool Preschool, where her journey from preschool and public school teacher to homeschooling mom of three fuels her passion for early childhood education. With a blend of expertise and firsthand experience, Tara’s writings offer practical tips and engaging resources to support families in creating meaningful learning adventures at home.