Busy Bag Exchange: Ideas for On-the-Go Play Kits

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I recently did a busy bag exchange with a group of girls in my neighborhood.  It was such a hit that we did it twice!    Our exchange was toddler themed, but they will work for preschoolers as well.  Some, my seven-year-old even loved.

How to Host a Busy Bag Exchange:

If you have never heard of a busy bag, or an exchange, for that matter, let me explain!  A busy bag is a small, easily transportable quiet play object for children.  It is something that you could take with you on errands, or that they could use to play with at home, in a restaurant, in a doctor’s office, at church- anywhere that you may need to keep them entertained.

What we did for the exchange was gather a group of people who want to participate- we decided to keep it at 12 people.  Then each person makes- or buys- an item for all 12 people.  Then you meet together to exchange them and explain each item.    All of these items are very low cost and simple to make.

Benefits of Busy Bags

• Encourage independent play
• Support fine motor and cognitive development
• Easy to store and transport
• Reusable and screen-free
• Great for siblings, travel, or downtime at home

Busy Bag Ideas to Try

Here are some updated, low-prep ideas you can include in your next busy bag exchange:

1. Color Sorting Clips

Use colored clothespins and matching paint swatches or cardstock. Kids clip the clothespins to the correct color.

2. Button Snake

Thread felt shapes (with slits) onto a ribbon with a button sewn on the end. Promotes buttoning, sequencing, and fine motor skills.

3. Mini Play Dough Kits

Pack small tubs of play dough with cookie cutters, beads, or themed task cards (e.g., build a flower, shape the alphabet).

4. Pom-Pom Push

Cut holes in a plastic container lid and give kids pom-poms to push through. Try themed versions like rainbow colors or counting.

5. Magnet Sticks & Paperclips

Stick magnets on popsicle sticks and pair with colorful paperclips for sorting, lining up, or creating patterns.

6. Felt Shape Puzzles

Cut geometric shapes from felt and provide templates (e.g., houses, rockets, snowmen) for kids to build.

7. Alphabet Fishing

Create cardstock letters with paper clips. Include a string-and-magnet “fishing rod” to catch the right letters.

8. Lacing Cards

Punch holes around laminated shapes or animals and include yarn with taped ends for threading.

9. Build-a-Face Kit

Felt faces and facial features kids can mix and match—great for emotions learning!

10. Counting Mats & Mini Erasers

Include laminated ten-frames or counting mats with themed counters like buttons, mini erasers, or pom-poms.

Hosting Tips:

• Set a budget ($5 or less per bag is common)
• Keep age range in mind when planning activities
• Include a note with simple instructions in each bag
• Consider a theme (seasons, holidays, colors, letters)

Busy bags are a sanity-saver for parents and a joy for curious kids. Whether you host an exchange or just make a few on your own, they’re a fantastic way to encourage independent, screen-free play anytime, anywhere.

I made a button snake.  This is a very simple project & has been VERY well loved by my little girl.  I got some grosgrain ribbon and sewed a large button on one end and a square of felt on the other.  Then I cut out a bunch of felt shapes in various colors. In the center of the shapes cut a slit that is large enough to button onto the ribbon.

This is a little pattern matching game that goes along with the Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. There are tons of these kinds of printables out there.  She laminated them & used Velcro dots to attach the pictures.