Flower Petal Sensory Bag Outdoors

A quart-size ziplock bag

A handful of colorful flower petals — roses, marigolds, pansies, dandelions

About half a cup of water

Clear packing tape to reinforce the seal

A blanket for outdoor sitting

Head outside and collect a handful of colorful petals. Let baby watch you pick them — even before they play, they're taking in the garden, the colors, your movements.

Place the petals in a ziplock bag with about half a cup of water. Squeeze out the excess air.

Seal the bag and run a strip of clear packing tape across the entire opening. You want this leak-proof — baby will squeeze hard.

Lay the sealed bag flat on a blanket in front of baby. Tap it to show them the petals floating inside.

Guide baby's hands to press, pat, and squish the bag. The petals will slide and swirl. Watch baby's eyes track the movement.

Hold the bag up against the sunlight. The colors glow through the water like stained glass — it's genuinely beautiful, and baby will stare.

Double-bag if you're worried about leaks. Place the sealed bag inside a second ziplock.

Use petals of different colors for maximum visual interest. Red, yellow, and purple together look stunning.

This works indoors too, but outdoor sunlight makes the colors pop in a way artificial light can't match.

Tape the bag to a window or sliding glass door for vertical exploration as baby gets older and starts standing.

Replace the petals every few days — they'll start to break down in water after a while.