Whether we are parents of extremely spirited and busy kids or we travel a lot (or maybe both), having lots of busy bag ideas is a must. Having several choices of ways to keep kids and toddlers entertained is nice, but it can be expensive. That’s why I have tried to gather materials from the dollar store, the dollar section at Target, and Thrift Stores. Because I strive to live an eco-conscious life, most of these busy bag ideas are sustainable in terms of materials used and their re-usable nature. A few items like stickers are not, but there is just no substitute! Here are several items and busy bag ideas that you should be able to find at dollar stores or thrift stores for $1 or less. And for more travel games and ideas, click here.Ā
Basic Busy Bag Rules
- Aim for 6 items or less – This means it’s not as difficult to round up everything when you’re child is finished playing with it.
- Try to go for Easily Replaceable – It’s likely that using these for travel and out and about will mean that you will probably lose pieces eventually. Therefore I like to use a lot of recycled goods so I am not so upset when things get lost.
- Make themĀ FUN – That’s a no-brainer, but it’s true. Try to make sure there’s something fun but alsoĀ facilitates some sort of learning.
- Make them meaningful – I one time had a teenage student tell me that even though I was their hardest teacher, I was their favorite. Her reasoning? Everything I taught was meaningful and I put some effort into what I did. This extends to all ages and in everything we do. So make sure your busy bags teach something.
- Stick to aĀ theme – make sure that your busy bags aren’t too “busy”. This means make sure there is a theme to it and that there is a clear purpose to why they are doing it.
- MakeĀ busy packs full of busy bags so that your child can take ownership in spending their time learning!
- Utilize the season – whether there is a holiday around the corner like Christmas or Easter or even just something big going on in your family, take advantage of those moments. It makes it more exciting for kids and not as mundane.
There are a few affiliate links for some books on amazon. Thank you for supporting our family by buying through these links.Ā
Puzzles
One thing that every dollar store I have ever been to has is puzzles! These wooden and cardboard puzzles are fabulous for busy bags. The wooden ones pictured were sold individually while the cardboard food theme ones were sold as a set of four. Both are awesome sizes for sliding into a small busy bag.
Most dollar stores also have a great selection of tin containers with lids. These make great sensory bins. They can be filled with whatever sensory object you would like (like rice) and covered for easy storage and/or transport.
Quick & Easy Busy Bags
Be on the look out for Musical instruments. I have found several small wooden instruments in the dollar section at Target. Other quick and easy finds include elastic for stretch themed bags, homemade or store-bought lacing games, and household items that encourage pincer practice!
Eye Spy bags
These are a great time-waster in the car, and kid-entertainer when needed. This one is one that I made with all household supplies and with an old Robeez shoe bag. Think outside of the box and put in whatever you have with no need to buy anything extra!
- Bells
- Spare toys/puzzle pieces
- Broken necklaces/old jewelry
- Key Chains and old keys
- small picture from old photographs, postcards, and more
- Small ornaments
- Beads
- And the list could go on!
Book and Toy Combo Bags
How to Organize Busy Bag Ideas
Collect those small make-up bags from your local thrift stores for a dollar or less and fill each one. After that, I make a couple of “busy packs” with the small kid sized backpacks with the busy bags that we made inside. This keeps them organized and they are ready to go. Most importantly, however, is that your child is in charge of them. It gives them ownership in their learning and i how they choose to spend their time.
For more ToddlerĀ ideas, click the image links below.
Ā 
Ā 
Ā 
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 5 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
Gisselle
This is the first time I hear about Busy Bags. I’m really happy I found this blog. This will help me keep my toddler busy while I homeschool my older ones. Thanks for the help.
Kara Carrero
Thanks for the comment Gisselle! Busy bags have really helped us a lot in quick situations. We have used them in restaurants, when we need a little extra time for ourselves, and on road trips! She likes them because they’re not “everyday toys”. Let me know how it goes!
Megan Libey
I am going to make these for teachers and give as gifts. Maybe a set per season or a holiday. Who knows. But these are fun to also give to Operation shoebox.
Kara Carrero
Great ideas!
Jessica
These are such fantastic ideas! I am so impressed with the wealth of ideas. Thanks for linking up today!
Kara Carrero
Thank you! They have really saved us from traumatic trips š She is a busy baby so we needed lots of ideas.
Michelle
I just love everything about your blog!!! š Michelle
Kara Carrero
You just made my day! Thank you so so much for your sweet comment š
kidworldcitizen
I had not heard of busy bags until I went looking for activities for my niece who has a newborn baby sister:). I am so excited to find these ideas!
Steph
Such great tips and ideas for busy bags – thank you! I’ve made so many of them, but most have been much more expensive than yours and don’t follow your first two rules. This has led to them not being used as much because it’s too much work for mom or dad to make it sure it all goes back in the bag which often leads to a wild goose chase for that last missing piece which is irreplaceable!
Kara Carrero
Thanks Steph! I definitely live by those first two rules because I am definitely one that gets super upset when I have worked really hard on it and spent money only for it to get used once before being a lost cause. :/ Hope you found some great inspiration to make more. They are definitely so much fun and a life-saver so many days for us.
Judith Martinez
I love busy bags but I haven’t made any yet.
Kristin Albee
I am always looking for new busy bag ideas!
Kaitlin L
These are great ideas – my toddler really enjoys busy bags, and we have a group of friends that do busy bag exchanges several times a year. I will keep this post pinned, so that I can come back to it!
Kara Carrero
I love the idea of busy bag exchanges! I may need to borrow that idea and find some friends to do the same.
Kristin Gideon
I LOVE all of these ideas! I always end up going overboard and either end up spending a ton on busy bag activities, or I choose things that take way too much time to prepare. These are wonderful, simple ideas that I could easily put together!
Kara Carrero
I think we all go overboard as mothers sometimes, don’t we? š Glad you liked the ideas and hope you can implement many of them!
Danielle Hull
Great ideas! I pinned to my “busy bags” board since I need to keep a 16-month-old and almost 4-year-old busy this school year! Thanks!
Nashiah
Great ideas! This will come in handy for my preschooler, esp when I’m working with her big sister. Thank you!
chen
These are great tips, we’ll be traveling with our little one in June. He’s 6 months old now. So I better start preparing. Thank you!
Will be reading everything about traveling and little ones.
Kara Carrero
You are so welcome. Good luck, we traveled long distance for the first time when my daughter was 8 months old and she made it like a champ. We did some sensory files at the time and they were compact and still entertaining.