This activity was so fun, and it is especially great for babies and toddlers. Sensory bags allow little ones still in the mouthing stage to safely explore materials that they otherwise wouldn't be able to. Read on to see how you can make lava lamp sensory bags.
How to Make a Lava Lamp in-a-Bag
Materials
- Baby oil/cooking oil
- Zip-Seal bags
- Neon water colors
- Clear packaging tape
Method
- Begin by filling a large zip-seal bag roughly 1/3 of the way with oil. We used baby oil, but cooking oil will also work.
- Add 2-3 tablespoons of neon watercolor paint. Then, seal the bag tightly, carefully squeezing out any excess air.
- Secure the opening of the bag with clear packaging tape. This just helps to ensure that there is no leaking during play.
- Repeat this process for each color of lava lamp sensory bag that you wish to make.
Lava Lamp Sensory Bag Play
Since oil and water do not mix the watercolors float in the oil inside of the bags, creating a lava lamp effect!
As kids squish and shake the bags the lava lamp will "bubble", creating mesmerizing effects!
Super cool, right?
Extend the Fun
- Try the oil and water experiment.
- Make a lava lamp.
- Experiment with glowing oil and water.
- Try one of these amazing sensory bags!
Tips/Resources:
- For the best effect you will want to use a blacklight for this activity. You can use a blacklight fixture or these super cool flashlights!
- When play time is over you will want to toss these sensory bags away. If left to sit for too long the oil will eventually seep through the bags.
- The neon watercolors that we used for this activity can be purchased online here.
