Winter Sensory Bag for Toddlers: A Simple & Fun DIY Activity

Looking for a fun and educational winter sensory bag for toddlers? This simple DIY winter hat activity is perfect for keeping little hands engaged while developing fine motor skills and color recognition.

Winter mornings are always a mix of cozy cuddles and chaotic schedules.

Just the other day, my 3-year-old, was running around with mismatched socks, while my other kids decided that the kitchen sink was the perfect place to practice their “ice skating.”

Let’s just say, it’s never a dull moment. But as we were rushing to get everyone bundled up and out the door, I realized the one thing I needed more than anything: a way to keep their little hands busy.

That’s when I remembered this simple, colorful sensory activity that I love— and it’s a total lifesaver!

This easy winter sensory bag for toddlers is perfect for keeping little ones entertained indoors when it’s too chilly to play outside.

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winter sensory bag for toddlers

You don’t need many materials to make a winter sensory bag for toddlers—just a few household items and a dash of creativity.

The Supplies You’ll Need:

• Gallon-size ziplock bag
• Alcohol wipe
• Colored Sharpies
• Clear packing tape
• Sensory bin, large plastic container, or baking sheet
• Clear hair gel
• Pom-poms

Steps to Set Up:

1. Start by drawing five winter hats in the main colors of the rainbow—red, orange, yellow, green, and blue—on your ziplock bag. These hats don’t have to be perfect (I’m no artist, either!), but enough to be recognizable.
2. Wipe the inside of your bag with an alcohol wipe for a little extra cleanliness (I know, I’m all about those germs, but I also like to be prepared!).
3. Fill the bag with clear hair gel. You want enough to give the Pom-poms a fun squishy feel but not so much that they can’t move around inside.
4. Now, here’s the fun part: Add in the Pom-poms in the matching colors. You want each color of Pom-pom to correspond with its matching hat color.
5. Close the ziplock bag and seal the opening with clear packing tape. To make sure there are no leaks, I also use a little extra tape around the sides.
6. For the final touch, secure the bag to a sensory bin, or if you don’t have one, a laundry basket flipped upside down works perfectly.

How to Play:

Now for the real magic! Invite your little one to use their fingers to sort the Pom-poms by color into the correct winter hat. This is where the learning begins! They’ll be practicing color recognition and even developing fine motor skills as they use their hands to squeeze the Pom-poms into the right sections.

You can also ask them to count the number of Pom-poms as they sort them. “How many blue Pom-poms can you find?” “Can you put all the green ones together?” If you have more than one child, they can take turns or even race to see who can sort their colors first!

Let your child squish and explore the textures in their winter sensory bag for toddlers while you talk about colors and shapes together.

Why I Love This Sensory Activity

One of the best things about a winter sensory bag for toddlers is how it supports early learning through hands-on play.

This simple, no-mess sensory bag has been a hit in our house for weeks. It’s the perfect activity to keep the kids entertained when we’re stuck indoors, and it’s surprisingly quiet— a real bonus when the house is already filled with noise from the twins. Plus, it’s one of those activities that I can set up and leave the kids to enjoy while I grab that much-needed cup of coffee.

The best part? It’s easy to make, and you don’t need a lot of space to store it. After we’re done, I just toss the bag in the closet until the next time we need a quick and colorful distraction.

If you’re a mom like me, always on the lookout for simple, creative activities, this one is a keeper. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also a great way to sneak in some learning while they’re having a blast. I know my kiddos love it—and I do too!

Since the winter sensory bag for toddlers is sealed, it’s a mess-free activity that’s easy to clean up and reuse later.

So, next time you need something quick to entertain your little ones, grab a few supplies, and try out this rainbow Pom-pom sensory activity. It’ll bring a splash of color—and peace—into your day.

If you loved this winter sensory bag for toddlers, don’t forget to pin it for later and leave a comment with your favorite winter-themed play ideas!