Emotions Sensory Bag
Create a playful way for kids to explore and express their feelings with an Emotions Sensory Bag!
This hands-on activity uses colorful materials and imagines to help young ones recognize and discuss different emotions in a fun, interactive way – a perfect part of Social Emotional Learning Activities.
This activity combines sensory play with emotional learning, offering children a safe space to identify, explore, and express feelings.
The sensory bag encourages kids to develop emotional awareness, improve communication, and learn self-regulation — all while having fun.
Perfect for home or classroom, this simple yet powerful tool helps children connect with their emotions in a playful and accessible way.
Emotions Sensory Bag Materials
Gather a variety of colorful and textured items to create an Emotions Sensory Bag that helps kids explore and express their feelings through touch and play.
- Emotion stickers
- Ziploc bag
- Clear gel
- Food dye
- Water
How to Make Emotions Sensory Bag
Combine water and food coloring, making it dark enough to hide the stickers.
Mix this colored water with gel, using about ½ cup of gel and 1/8 cup of water for a small Ziploc bag.
Place stickers inside the Ziploc bag, then pour in the gel mixture.
Seal the bag securely and reinforce the closure with tape to prevent any leaks.
BUNMO Super Sensory Stretchy Strings – Calming & Textured Monkey Stretch Noodleshand2mind Sensory Fidget Tubes – Calming Toys for KidsSensory Water Beads Toy for KidsNutty Toys Pop Tubes Sensory Toys – Fine Motor Skills
For more interaction – Create an emotion card and laminate it so kids can check off each emotion as they recognize it.
Or use the card as a conversation tool to help them explore and understand different emotions.
More Emotions Tips for Kids
Discover helpful tips for guiding kids to recognize, understand, and express their emotions in healthy ways.
- How to Help Kids Understand Their Emotions
- Books about Feelings for Preschoolers
- One Genius Way to Teach Your Child How to Express Emotions
- Help Your Child Express Big Feelings
- Inside Out Crafts for Kids
- Build Emotional Intelligence Through Play
- Teaching Emotions to Kids: Emotions Postcards
- How To Teach Social Emotional Learning At Home
More Emotional Learning Resources
In today’s fast-paced and dynamic environment, the importance of emotional intelligence is a crucial skill set for personal and professional success for our children.
- SEL & Growth Mindset Lesson Plans
- 25 Calm Down Breathing Exercises for Kids
- Emotions Preschool Activities
- ABC Growth Mindset Cards
- Emotional Intelligence Kit
- Emotions Social Story
- Draw & Write Emotions
- Emotional Regulation Starter Kit
- Embracing Emotions with Yoga
- ABC Calm Down Cards
- Emotional Regulation Strategies
These emotional learning resources foster emotional intelligence, empathy and self-awareness.
The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder (The Out-of-Sync Child Series)Early Intervention Games: Fun, Joyful Ways to Develop Social and Motor Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum or Sensory Processing Disorders101 Games and Activities for Children With Autism, Asperger’s and Sensory Processing DisordersIn-Sync Activity Cards: 50 Simple, New Activities to Help Children Develop, Learn, and Grow!
More Sensory Activity Ideas
Sensory play is a powerful way for children to learn, develop and engage with their surroundings, and it’s also a whole lot of fun!
Take your child on a sensory adventure that sparks imagination, creativity and learning.
- Sensory Play for Toddlers and Preschoolers: Easy Projects to Develop Fine Motor Skills, Hand-Eye Coordination, and Early Measurement Concepts
- The Ultimate Sensory Play Recipe Book: Learning Through Play
- Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids: 60 Easy Creative Play Projects That Boost Brain Development, Calm Anxiety and Build Fine Motor Skills
- Play to Progress: Lead Your Child to Success Using the Power of Sensory Play
- Sensory Adventures: A Guide to Increasing Literacy Through Sensory Play
- Playful Wonders: 50 Fun-Filled Sensory Play Activities
- The Book of Nature Connection: 70 Sensory Activities for All Ages
- 52 Weeks of Sensory Play
These ideas are designed to stimulate a child’s senses while encouraging exploration, experimentation and play.