Nuts and Bolts Busy Bag
Busy bags are such a great way to keep little ones busy. Today I’m sharing with you an idea that is super simple to set up, but will keep your little ones busy for a while! This nuts and bolts busy bag is sure to be a hit with children who like to build and create things!
Here’s what you need for this nuts and bolts busy bag:
- nuts
- bolts
- washers
- board with drilled holes
We were given this set of nuts, bolts, washers, and boards (with holes) by a sweet friend. I’m so thankful because I was able to pull this out one day when the kids were needing something to do. It kept my boys buys for a long time!
My two boys (ages 2.5 and 5.5) made whatever they wanted with these pieces. They stuck them in holes, added washers, screwed on the nuts. This was awesome practice for fine motor skills, too!
The best part was, I didn’t have to tell them what to do! They knew what they wanted to try out and design and they just played around. It also kept them quiet!
This was such an easy busy bag idea, but I’ll be saving it to pull out on another day when they boys need something to do! I was actually inspired to do this activity after seeing something similar in the book Busy Bags Kids Will Love! My friend, Sara, just wrote this book ALL about busy bags! This resource is FULL of neat ideas for quiet, busy bag activities.
The book shows great step-by-step pictures and has ideas that are easy to make! There are 52 ideas in the book. Here are some of the ideas:
- activities for counting, patterns, and sorting objects
- activities for letter identification, matching uppercase and lowercase letters, and forming letters
- activities for strengthening fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
- activities just for fun using felt, matching games, and a velcro version of paper dolls
I’m excited to share that my generous friend is giving away 1 book to one of my readers! All you have to do is enter the giveaway below to enter! The giveaway will run until June 19th and I’ll email the winner after that date. (This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents.)
If you’re ready to get your copy of the book, just click on the links below:
The Book Depository (free worldwide shipping!)
One more thing…as a little bonus from Sara, if you purchase the book you can get a free printable that goes with the activity on page 17. Just forward your receipt to sara@happybrownhouse.com.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of it. This post also contains affiliate links.
Thank you for all your great teaching ideas. The nuts and bolts activity will be a great addition to mine fine motor center. I am really interested in learning more about busy bags. Thank you for the giveaway.
I would love to have this book to use with busy minds and busy fingers that have a difficult time focusing and also require fine motor skills.
We are studying simple machines. I pulled together a bunch of nuts, bolts, screws and screwdrivers and put them in our sensory table with pieces of pool noodles. Our kiddos played with them throughout the day. No directions needed. What a great idea. Thanks,
This book looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d love to win this for my kids. Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love to win this. Thanks for the giveaway.
I definitely need to get to work making some busy bags! I’d love to read this book to learn more about them.
I would use this book in my 4 year old preschool class.
I am a busy bag addict and my 2 and 4 yo will love some fresh ideas! Thanks!