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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.
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.
Jackie says
December 2, 2011 at 1:41 amGreat Ideas…I would like to know where you get the pom pom patterns from or were they homemade?
Karyn says
December 2, 2011 at 12:46 pmI am working on finding all the links to where the printed pages are from. Sorry! I will update it when I get the info.
OneMommy says
December 2, 2011 at 7:32 pmWhat great ideas! I never thought of a little bag to keep them busy places like that. I usually just bring crayons and paper. So cool! I love the Eric Carle ones!
martianne says
December 2, 2011 at 9:01 pmMy children enjoy activity bags. You may find some ideas you and your friends would like to use at these posts I wrote:
http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/2010/04/frugal-fridays-vol-2-sensory-and-skills.html
http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/2010/04/thankful-thursday-vol-4-family-visits.html
http://traininghappyhearts.blogspot.com/2010/04/gratituesday-fun-and-learning-in-bag.html
Enjoy!
Janice says
January 18, 2012 at 6:46 amSo many fabulous ideas! Love it! I am now following…..thanks 🙂
Sandy R says
January 18, 2012 at 11:31 amThese are great ideas for TEACH boxes for my little ones with autism – Thanks!!
Lisa @ Our Country Road says
January 27, 2013 at 9:40 pmWow I actually looked for posts like these a couple years ago and missed yours. Great post!
Nicole Fryer says
April 23, 2013 at 7:38 pmI am wondering where the Eric Carle Patten one came from do you have any ideas?
Andrea says
June 1, 2013 at 2:18 pmI’ve been looking for some new busy bag ideas, and these are awesome! Thanks! Nicole, you asked about the Eric Carle pattern…I found the site those came from http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/ But she doesn’t have the original Eric Carle anymore. I wonder if it was a license issue. However, that site has a lot of cool free printables!
Anna says
August 11, 2013 at 10:24 amDo you know that I still haven’t created busy bags? This needs to be on my to do list before the next baby comes (I’ve got 5 months :)). I love these, Karyn, and shared them as part of the KBN Shout Out (I’m a little behind!). (Anna @ The Measured Mom)
Amy Dearie says
June 3, 2015 at 5:05 pmDo you know how your friend created the actual geoboard? And did it last as a DIY? Thanks for a link for idea cards!
Karyn Tripp says
June 4, 2015 at 4:41 amShe didn’t make them, she bought them.
Tisha says
January 7, 2017 at 7:01 pmI know this is an older post but I just found it and am loving it!! I am making a busy bag for a 7 year old. Do you have any suggestions?