Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.
Busy Bags are a lifesaver for having quick and easy activities ready to go for kids. You can use busy bags for toddlers, preschoolers, and even bigger kids during a car road trip, on an airplanes, in a doctors waiting room, on vacations, or just to encourage some independent play at home!
So, I’ve gathered some of my very favorite busy bag ideas from all of my blogging mama friends. Now, let’s check ’em out…
100+ Fun Busy Bags for Toddlers, Preschoolers, and Big Kids, Too!
Busy Bags for Toddlers
1. Ribbons & Bells Pull Bottle
This clever busy activity for 1 year olds doesn’t need a bag at all! It’s self-contained in a recycled spice bottle.
2. Simple Circles Sensory Play
Or, with just pom poms and pipe cleaners, you can inspire some engaging circle-themed sensory play for toddlers.
3. Match the Lid Busy Bag
All you have to do is raid the recycling bin to make this simple plastic lid matching activity for toddlers.
4. Color-Themed Toy Activity
Gather toys and child-safe objects of one color for a unique color activity bag for infants and toddlers.
5. DIY Pool Noodle Blocks
These neat pool noodle blocks can be used for imaginative building while on the go or in the bathtub.
6. Tongs and Poms Toddler Activity
Grab a container out of the recycling bin to make this super easy tongs and pom poms toddler activity.
7. Simple Scooping Activity
Gather various bowls, spoons, scoops, and some beads for this super simple fine motor scooping activity.
Preschool Busy Bag Ideas · Fine Motor Skills
8. DIY Button Snakes
Sew buttons onto ribbon to make button snakes perfect for preschoolers learning how to button and dress themselves.
9. Crazy Straw Fine Motor Skills Activity
Some felt shapes and fun crazy straws make for engaging fine motor activity busy bags for toddlers.
10. Thread a Rainbow Busy Bag
Round fruit pouch caps make great beads for little hands to use in this rainbow threading busy bag idea.
11. Fine Motor Monster Munch
Add some googly eyes to everyday bag clips to make cute monsters for this clever fine motor skill activity kids love!
12. Pipe Cleaners & Straws Building Activity
Get your preschooler practicing fine motor skills and creativity to build shapes and structures with pipe cleaners and straws.
13. Rainbow Lacing Busy Bag
Use recycled cardboard and colorful ribbon to make a simple rainbow-themed lacing activity that challenges a preschooler’s fine motor skills.
14. DIY Cat Whisker Lacing Activity
A free printable makes this cute cat whisker lacing activity easy to prepare for some fine motor skill practice on the go.
15. Rainbow Fine Motor Busy Box
Colorful hair ties add the fine motor practice to this neat rainbow-themed busy box for preschoolers.
16. Fine Motor Skill Weaving Activity
Invite your child to weave different materials through a gridded sink mat for an engaging fine motor skill busy bag for preschoolers.
17. Simple String Busy Bag
Cut notches around a cardboard circle to make this clever string activity that strengthens fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
18. Nuts & Bolts Preschool Activity
You can use kids’ plastic nuts and bolts toys or real nuts and bolts from the hardware store for a simple fine motor skill busy bag.
19. DIY Sewing Flower Busy Bag
Use jumbo craft foam shapes to make a homemade flower-themed sewing toy for preschoolers to practice fine motor skills.
Busy Bags for Preschoolers · Learning Colors
20. Rainbow Color Clip Activity
Use simple rainbow-themed busy bags for preschoolers to color practice and important pincer grasp strengthening.
21. Pencil Eraser Color Match
Colorful pencils and pencil top erasers make a quick and easy quiet bag for preschoolers to practice color matching.
22. Potato Chip Can Color Drop
No need for a bag — use a recycled cardboard potato chip can and some colorful pipe cleaners to make this clever color matching toddler activity.
23. Paint Chip Color Sort Activity Bag
Grab some paint chips from the hardware store for this simple color-matching busy bag idea perfect for preschoolers.
24. Button Color Sorting Busy Bag
This simple button color sorting busy activity provides preschool kids great fine motor skill practice, too.
25. Paint Chip Color Swatch Activity
This easy color-matching activity gets you and your toddler outdoors searching for colors in nature!
26. Egg Carton Color Sort Busy Bag
A recycled egg carton and colorful straws are all you need to make simple busy bags for toddlers learning colors.
27. Pom Pom Color Match Activity
Use dot stickers and wavy craft sticks to make this engaging pom pom color match busy bag.
28. Color Match Paperclips Busy Bag
Colorful paperclips challenge kids’ fine motor skills during this simple color matching busy activity.
Preschool Busy Bag Ideas · Learning Shapes
29. Felt Shape Flowers Activity
Cut shapes out of craft felt for a creative preschool quiet activity that challenges little ones to create shape flowers.
30. Magnetic Shape Sticks Busy Bag
Encourage shape-making and open-ended creativity with these easy-to-make magnetic popsicle sticks.
31. Velcro Popsicle Sticks Activity
If you’re not up for using magnets, use adhesive hook and loop dots to make velcro popsicle sticks instead.
32. Shape Buttons Puzzle
Trace big shape buttons on a plain sheet of paper to make a simple shapes puzzle for instant preschool learning.
33. Shape Match Craft Stick Puzzle
This clever craft stick shape matching game uses a recycled egg carton for some hands-on learning fun.
34. DIY Shape Lacing Cards
Help your preschooler practice fine motor skills while reviewing shapes with cardboard shape lacing cards.
35. Creative Felt Shape Fun
Cut some craft felt for a preschool busy bag that inspires open-ended creativity using basic shapes.
36. Sensory Shape Cards
Use felt to make homemade sensory shape cards for preschoolers to explore and match textured shapes.
37. Sorting Shapes Activity
Plastic shape buttons from the craft store are perfect for a hands-on shape sorting activity for young preschoolers.
38. Corks & Buttons Busy Bag
Adhesive hook and loop dots transform everyday buttons and corks into an engaging fine motor activity for little hands.
Preschool Busy Bags · Alphabet
39. ABC Fun Busy Bag
Just grab some colorful straws and foam letter stickers for this hands-on activity for learning letters of the alphabet.
40. Alphabet Puppets
These easy-to-make letter puppets pair perfectly with any alphabet book for alphabet busy bags for preschoolers.
41. Clothespin Letter Match Activity
Store-bought alphabet flash cards and common clothespins make this letter match busy bag idea super easy to throw together.
42. Alphabet Hearts Matching Game
Use paper heart shapes to make this simple letter matching game that’s perfect for a preschool quiet bag.
43. Jar Lid Letter Match Activity
Take advantage of jar lids from the recycling bin to make a preschool letter matching game for an easy busybag.
44. DIY ABC Sticker Book
Make your kindergartener their own little alphabet book. Then, add some foam stickers to increase the hands-on letter learning fun.
45. Letter Match Memory Game
This letter match memory game is a fun way for kids to practice letter recognition or matching upper and lowercase letters.
46. Alphabet Seashells Activity
Use natural seashells for a tactile beach-themed alphabet matching busy bag for preschoolers.
47. Simple Homemade Alphabet Puzzles
Unique cutting lines make these preschool alphabet puzzles challenging and fun for young kids.
48. DIY Bottle Top Alphabet Board
Grab some recycled plastic bottles to make a hands-on letter learning board for your preschoolers.
49. Clothespin Name Learning Busy Bag
This clothespin name activity gets preschoolers matching letters while becoming familiar with the spelling of their name.
50. Build Your Name Busy Bag
Use LEGO DUPLO blocks to make your child their own letter blocks for a fun preschool name building activity.
Preschool Busy Bag Ideas · Numbers, Counting, & Patterns
51. Color Match Bottle Cap Game
Upcycle plastic bottle caps into an educational color matching game that your preschooler can play anywhere!
52. Apple Seed Counting Busy Bag
Have your kindergartener practice counting and number recognition with this cute apple-themed counting activity.
53. DIY Number Game
Use number stamps to make a number learning game that’s perfect for popping into busy bags for preschoolers.
54. Pattern Clothespin Game
Colorful patterned washi tape turns plain old clothespins into a simple pattern game for preschoolers.
55. Counting Robots Busy Bag
Robot stickers add a fun element to this preschool counting activity using jumbo craft sticks and clothespins .
56. Color Pasta Sequencing Activity
Use dyed pasta for preschool sequencing busy bags for preschoolers to make and explore patterns.
57. LEGO Wheel Patterns Busy Bag
Print the free pattern strips and gather up some LEGO wheels for a clever transportation-themed pattern activity.
58. Missing Number Math Activity
Use craft sticks and clothespins to make this clever missing number math activity that’s perfect for a preschool busy bag.
59. Spin & Add Math Busy Bag
Grab a store-bought number spinner to try this fun math game for practicing addition.
Busy Bag Ideas for Play & Creativity
60. Popsicle Stick Puppets
Add cute foam stickers to popsicle sticks for a busy activity that encourages imaginative pay and storytelling.
61. Dress-Up Peg Dolls
Use hook and loop dots and some peg clothespins to make some imaginative dress-up dolls for little ones.
62. Xs & Os Tic-Tac-Toe Busy Bag
Use small wood coins and popsicle sticks to make this clever tic-tac-toe game that’s perfect for on the go.
63. Pretend Play Vet Activity
A printable vet clinic chart, some animal toys, and kids pretend doctor tool toys come together to encourage lots of imaginative vet-themed play.
64. Simple Sticker Busy Box
Provide an assortment of stickers, crayons, and construction paper in a simple busy box encouraging fine motor skills and creativity.
65. Felt Pizza Busy Bag
Cut felt into pizza and toppings for a felt pizza activity that’s perfect for busy bags for toddlers and preschool kids.
66. Cartoon Character Memory Game
Incorporate your child’s favorite cartoon characters into a homemade memory game that’s perfect for a quiet time activity.
67. Pipe Cleaner Art Activity
Busy bags for preschoolers don’t much easier than colorful pipe cleaners to inspire creative sculpture building!
68. Simple Accessories Dress Up Play
Gather kid-friendly dress-up accessories for simple busy bags for toddlers and preschoolers to engage in some imaginative dress-up play.
Busy Bags for Kindergarten & Elementary · Reading & Spelling
69. Letter Sticker Name Recognition Busy Bag
A piece of paper and foam letter stickers are all you need to make this hands-on name recognition activity.
70. Spell Your Name Busy Bag
Foam bath letters make this kindergarten busy bag easy peasy to make and to take on the go.
71. Paint Chip Sight Words
Get free paint chips from the hardware store to make this hands-on sight word busybag.
72. Days of the Week Clip Activity
Use clothespins and colorful markers to make this busy bag that teaches the days of the week and color matching, too.
73. Felt Flower Color Words Activity
This felt flower color word activity is perfect for advanced kindergarten kids learning to read color words.
74. Animal Name Tags Busy Bag
Use your kids’ small animal toys to make an easy busy bag for learning to read animal words.
75. Magnetic Spelling Game
Make simple letter magnets using dot stickers for a clever magnetic spelling game perfect for kids learning to read and spell.
76. Word Family Sort Activity
This simple word family sorting activity helps early readers recognize patterns in words.
77. 3 Letter Word Lacing Busy Bag
Alphabet beads and pipe cleaners make this 3-letter word learning activity easy peasy and great for fine motor practice, too.
78. Rainbow Sight Word Lacing Activity
Plastic letter beads and colorful pipe cleaners make up this simple but fun hands-on sight word activity.
79. Recycled Letter Language Learning Activity
Pair some letters cut out of recycled materials and a kids language learning book to make a busy bag for learning a second language.
Busy Bags for Kindergarten & Elementary · Math Skills
80. Paper Plate Math Facts Activity
Grab a paper plate and some clothespins for some hands-on math facts practice you can take on the go.
81. Tally Mark Dominoes
Use construction paper or cardstock to make a clever domino math game for matching numbers with tally marks.
82. Easy Math Busy Box
Pom poms and foam bath numbers make up this neat math activity box for kindergarten and early elementary kids.
83. Shisima Game
Make this neat multicultural math game for fun and educational busy bag ideas kids can take anywhere.
84. Wacky Mixed-Up Hundreds Chart Game
Use a simple hundreds chart to make this “mixed-up” math game inspired by the Dr. Seuss childhood classic, Wacky Wednesday.
85. Rock & Roll Place Value Game
All you need are some small stones and dice for this hands-on activity for kids to practice place value.
86. Cup Equation Spinner Game
It only takes styrofoam cups to make this clever math equation game that can easily be taken on the go.
87. Bottle Cap Skip Counting Activity
Use bottle caps from the recycling bin to make a hands-on skip counting activity that’s perfect for a quick math busy bag.
Easy Printable Busy Bags
88. Wacky Tracks Fidget Toy Shape Activity
This quick and simple shape-learning busy bag uses just some free printables and a fun Wacky Tracks fidget toy.
89. Printable I Spy Busy Bags
Print these free I Spy pages to make easy busy bags that keep kids engaged while out and about.
90. Printable Animal Activity Pack
This free printable activity pack includes 12 animal-themed activity pages perfect for quick preschool busy bags.
91. Story Circles Busy Bag
Print these Story Circles for a quick and easy early literacy activity your preschooler can take on the go.
92. Dinosaur Math Activity
Everyday clothespins turn addition and subtraction into a fun hands-on activity in this printable dinosaur-themed math busy bag for kindergarten or early elementary kids.
93. Printable Garden Puzzle
Print this numbered garden puzzle on cardstock or laminate it for a more durable on-the-go counting activity.
94. Caterpillar Counting Activity
Fuzzy pom poms pair with free printable caterpillar cards for a tactile counting activity kids will love!
95. Printable Apple Counting Cards
Print apple-themed counting cards for a hands-on count and clip activity perfect for preschool or kindergarten kids.
96. Printable Color Sorting Busybag
It doesn’t get much easier than this free printable color sorting activity for toddlers and young preschoolers.
97. Match & Count Number Cards
These free printable number cards can accomodate learners of various levels, from beginning counting to reading number words.
98. Ocean Animals Count & Clip Cards
These adorable ocean-themed count and clip cards are perfect for preschoolers to practice counting while strengthening fine motor skills, too.
99. Superhero Upper & Lowercase Letters Printable
Use the free printable pack and clothespins to make a hands-on superhero-themed upper and lowercase letter matching activity.
100. Shapes, Counting, & Colors Printable
Print these colorful shapes printables for an easy educational learning activity that’s perfect for preschoolers.
101. LEGO Patterns Busy Box
Keep some LEGO bricks and printable patterning cards in a box for a fun, ready-to-go kids activity.
102. Counting Sun Spots Activity
This sunshine-themed printable count and clip activity provides some science learning, too!
Busy Bag Ideas for Holidays & Seasons
103. Fine Motor Hearts Activity
This Valentine’s Day busy bag uses heart-shape cookie cutters and beads to strengthen little hands.
104. St. Patrick’s Day Count & Clip Cards
These printable count and clip cards are perfect for an easy St. Patrick’s Day busy activity.
105. Simple Sorting Hearts Busy Bag
Cut out different sized colorful paper hearts to make a quick and easy Valentines busy bag that will have kids sorting by size and color.
106. Simple Nesting Easter Eggs
Add plastic eggs of varying sizes to busy bags for toddlers to explore and compare size and proportion.
107. American Flag Counting Game
Grab these free printable flag cards and some colored plastic clothespins for a patriotic counting game.
108. Autumn Leaves Number & Letter Puzzles
These clever number and letter puzzles, made out of paper leaf shapes, are the perfect quiet bag activity for Fall.
109. Fall Dominoes Math Game
Use fall-themed stickers to make this simple DIY math game for a busy bag that’s perfect for Autumn.
110. Jack O’Lantern Faces Activity
Felt pumpkins and facial features let your child build their own Jack O’Lanterns without the mess!
111. Counting Ghosts Game
Ghost-shaped erasers and cute little plastic cauldrons make a Halloween counting game kids will love.
112. LEGO Turkey Busy Bag
This busy bag incorporates a kid favorite, LEGO DUPLO blocks, into a Thanksgiving pattern activity.
113. Felt Christmas Tree Activity
These Christmas tree-themed busy bags for toddlers let them decorate their own Christmas trees!
114. Christmas Wreath Counting Activity
Kids use fuzzy pom poms to decorate a Christmas wreath with this fun holiday counting activity.
115. Snowflake Drop Activity
This cute winter-themed toddler activity doesn’t even need a bag since it’s made using a tall plastic bottle.
116. Sticky Snowman Activity
Use snowman window gel clings for an instant winter-themed activity for toddlers or preschoolers.
Even More Busy Bag Ideas & Resources:
- Big Activity Box with 15 Activity Ideas
- How to Host a Busy Bag Swap
- How to Make Busy Bags for Toddlers and Preschoolers with Thrift Shop Finds
- Busy Bag Ideas for Under $1
Activities & Toys for Busy Bags on Amazon:
If you don’t want to make busy bags, here are lots of ideas for kids toys and game you can purchase on Amazon and add to busy bags or take on the go as is…
Toddler Busy BackpackLearning Resources Smart Snacks Number PopsMontessori Screwdriver BoardWikkiStix Sensory Reusable Molding and Sculpting SticksApple Lacing ToyMelissa & Doug Tape Activity BookLearning Resources Birds in a Nest Sorting SetWooden Montessori Activity BoardMelissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Color with Water Activity PadMagnetic Color and Number MazeBusy Cube for KidsLearning Resources Rainbow Sorting CrayonsLearning Resources Noodle Knockout! Fine Motor GameREADY 2 LEARN Lacing AlphabetName Puzzle Busy BoardLearning Resources Super Sorting Pie
Plus, find a ton more toys and games in B-Inspired Mama’s Amazon Shop: Perfect Picks for Toddler & Preschool Busy Bags
Find these Busy Bag Ideas Helpful? Then Save ‘Em and Share ‘Em!
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More Toddler and Preschool Ideas on B-Inspired Mama:
- Fun Ideas for Early Learning at Home
- More Ideas for Early Learning from The Kids Co-Op
- What Do Kids Learn in Preschool + 28 Preschool Activities, Too!
- DIY Snowflake Sensory Bag for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.
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