Try this easy DIY Halloween sensory bag with your toddler

Move over, sensory bins. A viral TikTok from CraftyMoms shows a Halloween sensory bag for preschoolers that’s easy to make with supplies you likely already have on hand—and is a cute, crafty take on spooky season.

In the sensory craft, the creator takes a plain gallon-sized zippered plastic bag and uses rubbing alcohol to remove the white bag label. The creator then draws a few spider bodies on the bag surface with a black permanent marker. Then they fill it with, well, something. (It looks like clear dish soap but it says it’s hair gel in the comments—along with a small amount of water.) You can probably go with whatever type of gel-like substance you have on hand. 

@craftymoms The perfect semdory bag for this Halloween 🕷️ #sensorybag #halloweendiy #sensoryplay #ot ♬ Adams Family Theme Song – Halloween DJ's

Next, you pop in enough googly eyes for each spider to have (at least) two. If you want to make things fun, go for multiple sizes. One commenter noted that you can draw a number next to each spider and older kids can count out the matching number of eyes to add for each. 

Note: When you put the eyes in, you want the drawn-on side of the bag facing down so the eyes can easily float on top of the spiders.

Here’s what’s important: Tape the top closed after you stuff the bag. Not with gift tape—go for the packing tape to really seal it shut from tiny, prying hands—and to keep it stuck down to the table surface or floor for prime sliding. 

Then let your little one use their hands to slide the eyes to the appropriate spider. (Got a tot? They may just enjoy moving the gel around inside the bag as sensory play.)

Hopefully this occupies your kiddo for a while. And no one’s judging if you slide in for some sensory fun either, mama.

Of course, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen a fairly inexpensive sensory creation come to life that uses things you probably already have in the house. But we can’t deny that we’re loving the Halloween spin on a sensory activity—and all the inspo that it brings for future sensory play.