The Best Busy Bags for Learning and Fun

Want to keep your kids happy and playing so you can get something done or even just go to the bathroom alone?

Looking for simple learning ideas that will keep your kids quiet and engaged during quiet time?

Need activities to keep kids busy on the go?

Then you need this list of the best busy bags for kids!

a collage of different busy bags for kids

There is nothing worse than drinking a cup of cold coffee. Or worse having to drink microwaved coffee because your kids “needed” you and you didn’t have a chance to get back to it.

Now I don’t drink tea very often, but I’m guessing it’s the same for tea drinkers!

It’s hard to get a chance to sit down for a second with young kids. It seems as soon as you do something comes up.

That’s why I initially fell in love with the idea of busy bags. I knew when I got one out I had time to drink my coffee. Or finish my email. Or return a phone call.

Then I realized the were even more valuable than I had realized!

What is a busy bag?

They really are a parent’s secret weapon! They’re fun, reusable activities kids can do all by themselves. Once made they can be stored in a plastic bag or box or even a pencil pouch so that they can be used over and over again.

The make once, play again and again aspect of a busy bag is what hooks parents and teachers! It’s nice to have a go-to activity that kids can do by themselves that doesn’t involve electronics.

They can also be taken with you on the go so are perfect to stash in your bag for waiting at doctor’s appointments or when you’re out to eat. Teachers can use them to keep a small group engaged while working with others.

Each of our busy bags and bins are super simple to prep–they can be made in minutes and played with for years. Some of the ones my preschooler plays with are 10 years old.

This is a list you are going to want to pin to come back to again and again!

Busy Bags that Practice Colors

Working on colors is so much fun with these busy bag activities!

Fine Motor Busy Bags

Developing fine motor skills is a process that involves a lot of practice. These activities make that practice so fun your child won’t want to stop playing!

ABC and Number Busy Bags

Combining numbers and letters are a fun way to keep their hands and minds busy!

Numbers and Math

ABCs and Reading

STEAM Inspired Busy Bags

Let your child use their creativity with these interactive busy bag activities. Building and creating have never been so fun!

Printable Busy Bags

All you need to do is print and let them play. The great part? Laminate them once and play over and over again!

Sensory Bottles and Bins

Being able to use senses is a great way to find a new way of understanding and seeing objects all around us. This bottles and bins are great for exploring.

Toddler-Friendly Busy Bags

Any one of these activities below is perfect for toddler-age learners. They’ll love to be able to do these on their own as well!

Boredom Busters

Tired of hearing the word “bored”? Then it’s time to bring out these boredom busters.

Holiday Themed Busy Bags

Celebrate the holidays with these fun and interactive holiday-themed busy bags. Learning can happen at any time of the year!

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the choices–busy bags are here to make your life easier not busier!

Just choose a few that sound fun to prep and teach your how to use. Then get them out during quiet time or throw them in your bag to play with on the go. Once you and your child discover how much fun it is to play and learn with busy bags you can add to your collection.

Many of the busy bags listed have materials in common. Don’t go out and buy more, just grab them out of the plastic bag or bin you are storing the other busy bag in and start playing. It’s not about having the perfect set of kids activities. It’s about having fun and engaging activities for your child to play and learn with…and finishing your coffee before it gets cold!

But wait! There’s more! If you love playing and learning with busy bags as much as we do then you’ll LOVE our ebook!

The Busy Bag Book is jam-packed with busy bag activities kids can play with all by themselves while you do something else. You need this book!

Click here for more information —>> The Busy Bag Book