Making Gel and Rice Sensory Bags

sensory bag supplies






























It is official! I am going back to Kindergarten this year and I am VERY excited!


I wanted my first Monday Made It to be a back to Kindergarten project. I always used hair gel sensory bags with my kinders for letter/sound practice back in the day. However, I gave my old set to one of my colleagues last year when I switched to 5th. I decided to have this be my made it for the week. I am trying the rice for the first time too!

I went with the neon dye, but they are a bit more primary when you use only the hair gel.

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hair gel sensory bags











I filled each bag up about a third of the way with gel and then squirted in some dye. These came out well when I only used one dye.

But, I must admit I tried to blend colors on the sixth bag and ended up with the dreaded blackish brownish bag!! That could be a result of my rapid fire dye squirting! Patience is not always one of my virtues when I craft! ;)

After adding the gel just squish away to blend both ingredients together. I added a piece of clear packing tape to the top so nothing will come oozing out!

Here is a close up of two of my favorites.

hair gel, food dye

Sensory Bags

Next up we have the rice bags:

Rice sensory bags

To dye the rice, I put a few tablespoons of water,  a squirt of dye and a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol into a tupperwrare container. Next, I added about 1 1/2 - 2 cups of rice. For the first batch, I put the cover on and shook the container. The results were not pretty. After that I used a spoon to stir it together. This was a lot faster and way neater too!

Once I created a hue I liked, I drained off the liquid and put it in a bag. However they were way too wet. Since it was so gorgeous out I decided to use the sun! I spread each color on a paper towel (in a very thin layer) and let them sit outside for 10 minutes.

Lastly, they went into the bags and were taped up as well!

sensory bags

sensory bags

rice, gel sensory bags

I wasn't sure that I was going to like how the rice worked, but I have to say it works well and feels so cool! I think these will be an excellent tool in stations and reading groups this year!

If you are interested in more sensory items, check out my sensory bin blog post!

10 comments

  1. I love them, especially the gel ones. I thought of doing this with glue last year but was so afraid the bags would leak. Keep us posted on how they hold up.
    Mels

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    1. Thanks! Ooh, I never thought of glue, I wonder how that would work? They actually held up great in the past, as long as I really modeled drawing with the pad of the finger vs the nail! :)

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  2. I love these sensory bags and am wondering if I could use them as a station with my Grade 1's (I am moving to Grade 1 for the first time ever!) Thanks for the clear instructions and tips (like the packing tape!). I am happy that you are moving pack to K : )

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    1. You're welcome! I have actually used them with first graders in the past and they really like it! :)

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  3. I love the hair gel bags! I do this in my class as well. I have toddlers and we typically just use the bags a sensory items and squish away! The rice is a neat idea too. I may have to try that!

    -Sarah

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    1. I did see the ones with objects in them, they look so fun! The rice is great for the tactile aspect! :)

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  4. Just love these:) Like so much I want one of my own to play with ..lol;0) Thanks for linking up:)
    4th Grade Frolics

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    1. Thanks! I must admit, they are rather addicting to play with!!

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  5. Wish I could pin this post! Love the rice idea as an alternative to OG sand trays.

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    1. Thanks! The sand trays can get a bit messy!

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