Bubble Wrap Sensory Fun

Bubble wrap can be used as a fun sensory experience for both babies and toddlers alike. In this blog, I’m sharing some innovative ways I this easily acquired office supply to help with mealtime and crafting!

High Chair Footrest

Is your baby wiggling around in the high chair? They’re probably looking for some sensory input. Try putting some bubble wrap on their footrest for a great high chair sensory activity! Be sure to check out my Instagram reel below for a “how-to” on doing this sensory project! (And follow me on IG too!)

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Materials

• Bubble wrap⁠
• Hair rubber bands⁠
• High chair with a removable footrest⁠

Instructions

Place the bubble wrap onto the footrest and wrap 3 hair rubber bands around it. Then, place your baby in the high chair to have your little one discover the glorious sensory experience of bubble wrap⁠ on their toesies!

High Chair Tray

Are you looking for a great sensory-art activity that will help your baby/toddler to sit in the high chair a little longer? All you have to do is put a few globs of paint inside a bubble wrap “pocket,” then tape it to your high chair tray.

Mealtime Colors: This is a fantastic sensory play idea and an excellent way for your little one to discover all the colors with their eyes, hands, and feet! And it’s a great language activity for learning the colors your child will see at mealtime.

Purees: You can also use purees instead of paint by adding a little food coloring to make the puree bright and fun! ⁠This is a perfect activity for a child with sensory processing issues who is comfortable playing & smelling food but is not yet ready to touch it.

Bubble Wrap Pocket: You can buy pre-made bubble wrap pockets at the dollar store, post office, or craft stores. Amazon likes to place items in bubble wrap pockets, so don’t throw those away! You can also make your own bubble wrap “pocket” by folding a sheet of bubble wrap. Then tape the sides shut with tape. You can do this with either clear or colored tape or whatever tape you have on hand. I prefer using colored duct tape the best.

Table Craft for Toddlers

It’s cold and snowy over here in Colorado, which I love, but if it’s too cold for your little ones to go outside, have them try this indoor bubble wrap art project!

1. Snow: First, have them paint some “snow” on the bottom of a blue sheet of paper.
2. Tree: Create a bare “tree” by gluing a twig onto the paper or have your little one draw/paint it.
3. Falling Snow: Have your kiddo make a bubble wrap “stamper.” Have them cut a square of bubble wrap with some safety scissors. Then, they can use a rubber band to attach the square of bubble wrap to the end of an empty toilet paper tube. Next, have them add beautiful “snowy leaves” to their tree by dipping the stamper into white paint!

Sensory Challenges

If your toddler has sensory challenges and does not want to engage with the bubble wrap, try these steps.

Start Small: Start crafting and playing with bubble wrap with very small-sized bubbles.

Slow Progression: Slowly, after multiple different bubble wrap activities, they will eventually work up to larger-sized bubbles on the bubble wrap.⁠

Safety: Remember, bubble wrap is an activity that needs constant supervision 👀 to keep your child safe.

What is your favorite way to use bubble wrap with your kids? #MsDawnSLP