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Toddler Tuesday: Sensory Balloon Bugs

by Angela Thayer 28 Comments

Don’t you love a simple activity that keeps kids busy for hours? Well these sensory balloon animals are perfect for keeping little ones busy. A sensory balloon is filled with material that kids can squish around and it’s really a great way for children to explore the sense of touch.

Sensory Balloon Animals Pin These little critters are so much fun to squish around. Not only is this a sensory activity, it’s also great for building up fine motor skills. When the kids squeeze the balloon animals, they build up hand strength.  Sensory Balloon Bugs

Here’s what I used to fill the balloons: rice, beans, and popcorn kernels.

Supplies To fill the balloons, you’ll need a funnel. Just attach the balloon to the end of the funnel and pour the material in. For bigger things (like beans), you may need to shake it to keep the funnel from getting clogged.

funnel After you fill the balloon, tie it. Then you can draw eyes, antennas, legs, etc. to make them into bugs or animals. I used a black Sharpie to draw on the balloon. I admit…I’m not the best artist, but my toddler will never know! :). Something else I did was have my older son feel the balloons and try to guess what I filled them with. He got some right and some wrong, but it was good for him to practice using his sense of touch. I love these little sensory balloons! We also filled one with sugar, which really felt like a stress ball!

My little toddler loved this activity. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on these little guys!

naming (Please ignore the fact that my son has an incredibly messy shirt on and no pants…I still think he’s cute 🙂 )

bee Then we played a game with the bugs. I had him practice using his gross motor skills to throw the bug into the basket. It’s good practice for toddlers to throw a ball (or balloon bug) with direction. And of course it’s fun! What toddler doesn’t like throwing things? I don’t think I’ve ever met one…

Bug Game

throwing bee

Sensory Balloon Animals

Will you try this activity out? I guarantee your toddler (or any child) will love it!!

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Filed Under: Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Play, Toddlers Tagged With: bugs and insect theme, sensory activities

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  1. Wendy Botha says

    April 13, 2017 at 10:30 am

    These are SOOOO cute. I think I am going to do a lesson using these with my Grade 3s. I am going to get them into groups, give them the balloons, funnels and materials and get THEM to fill and create the bugs. Then I will get them to do a survey (first to guess the type of material each one is filled with) and then do see which material they like to manipulate and play with the best.
    Thanks for this great and versatile idea. Will get back to you and let you know how it goes.
    Wendy 🙂
    (Grade3HappyEd)

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      April 14, 2017 at 12:52 am

      Love that idea!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!

      Reply
  2. Alethea Etinoff says

    August 20, 2014 at 12:28 am

    What materials did you use and suggest using to fill the balloons? Also, I LOVE this idea. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Camille says

    March 18, 2014 at 8:13 pm

    I always have problems with the ink smearingon my balloons. What did you use?

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      March 18, 2014 at 8:15 pm

      I used a black Sharpie (and a white paint pen on the black balloon) and let it dry before using them. However, I did notice that after a while, the ink started rubbing off, so I would just reapply it. Hope that helps!

      Reply
  4. Shanna says

    January 14, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    I just made some sensory balloons for my 18 month old. I made hard ones (popcorn kernels, rice, confetti, rock salt) and soft ones (hair gel, hand soap, flour, shaving cream). That way as he gets older we can do a sorting game with them as well. I just found your blog and have found many great ideas I want to do with my son!

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      January 15, 2014 at 10:58 pm

      Wonderful!! I am sure your son loves them. Thank you for your kind words.

      Reply
  5. Kelly West says

    November 24, 2013 at 1:57 pm

    Is there a special paint you needed to use that won’t peel off the balloons once they dry?
    BTW, I just found your blog. Thank you! I’m a special ed teaching assistant and a church nursery volunteer. These are great ideas.

    Reply
  6. Terian says

    November 14, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    How do you get your little one to not eat them? My children put everything in their mouths!

    Reply
    • Angela Thayer says

      November 14, 2013 at 9:51 pm

      I was blessed to have boys who really didn’t put things in their mouths. Honestly, they really don’t put anything in their mouths, so I felt comfortable doing this with them. If they did, I wouldn’t try this with them until they were older.

      Reply
    • Ruthie says

      December 13, 2013 at 2:00 am

      I also have a little one who puts everything in her mouth. She would love these, but I’m worried about her biting a hole in it. I had a thought though….what about putting a thin sock over the balloon?

      Reply
      • Angela Thayer says

        December 17, 2013 at 1:27 am

        Sure that would be a good idea! It’s hard when they put everything in their mouths, isn’t it?!

        Reply
  7. Mary Catherine says

    April 21, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    So much fun to be had! I love how you thought to make them into bugs — so creative! 🙂

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      April 22, 2013 at 5:06 pm

      Thanks! It was fun for the kids.

      Reply
  8. Dollie @ Teachers of Good Things says

    April 19, 2013 at 4:16 pm

    Seriously! Where do these ideas come from? I love this and my 3 year old LOVES balloons! How fun this would be!

    Reply
  9. Jessy at Our Side of the Mountain says

    April 19, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    How cute! I wonder if my oldest son (8) would like to make one as a “stress” ball?

    Reply
    • janet says

      November 11, 2013 at 3:29 pm

      I usually put a second balloon around the first one for stress balls for older kids and they don’t pop as easily.

      Reply
      • Angela Thayer says

        November 11, 2013 at 3:59 pm

        That’s an awesome idea! Thank you for sharing 🙂

        Reply
  10. Katie @ Gift of Curiosity says

    April 18, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    We did sensory balloons to talk about feelings, and I think your sensory bug are super cute!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      April 18, 2013 at 6:31 pm

      So awesome! They are great for talking about feelings. Thank you very much.

      Reply
      • Ricky says

        February 11, 2015 at 11:11 am

        Hi, what pens did you use to decorate the balloons with? Any pen I try seems to rub ofF on his skin.

        Reply
        • Angela Thayer says

          February 13, 2015 at 1:23 am

          I’m sorry you’re having problems! I used a Sharpie. It did rub off a little bit. Maybe it was the brand of the balloon? Maybe try a puffy paint fabric pen? Good luck!

          Reply
  11. Carla says

    April 18, 2013 at 1:38 pm

    These are so, so fun! I’ve done sensory balloons before with cornstarch, but I think I’m going to make some bugs right away to use as math manipulatives! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      April 18, 2013 at 6:32 pm

      Great!! I love hearing that. Hope they make good math manipulatives!! 🙂 Let me know how it goes.

      Reply
  12. Kirstylee says

    April 16, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    These are so cute. I have made sensory balloons before and they were a huge hit at first, but now they are boring to both of my kids. I think decorating them like bugs will be just the thing I need to make them exciting again. I can’t wait to try these!

    Reply
    • Teaching Mama says

      April 17, 2013 at 3:06 am

      Thanks!! They were a huge hit at our house! 🙂 Hope your kiddos will like them!

      Reply
  13. Teaching Mama says

    April 16, 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Hi Juliana! My son is 20 months. I think he’s a bit advanced to know the names. I don’t know if it’s because we read a lot of books and he hears his older brother talk about different bugs! My first son called every bug a bee, too!! Yes, the throwing game was a hit!!

    Reply
  14. Juliana says

    April 16, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    Looks fun! How old is your son? Mine calls all bugs bee, although he knows there are different ones.;-). He would love the throwing game!

    Reply
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