• Reading
  • Science
  • Math
  • Writing
  • Recipes
  • Travel

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Deals
  • Shop
  • Contact

By Amanda Boyarshinov Leave a Comment

Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag for Kids to Make and Play

Child learning their Alphabet with hands-on Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag

Kids excited about Disney’s newest movie?  Channel this excitement by creating a Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag.

Child learning their Alphabet with hands-on Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag

Learning Objective.  Recognizing capital letter names and sounds.

Remembering and knowing the letter names and sounds are part of the early childhood education curriculum.  A strong understanding of the sounds, phonics, can be helpful for children when learning to read.  This Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag activity is great because children can self select the letters of the alphabet they want to work on.  Affiliate links to products

It is a hands-on, multi-sensory activity.

When an adult says the letter name, children HEAR it.

Children look at the letter and they SEE the shape.

Hands move the fish along the letter and kids FEEL the shape.

Materials Needed for Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag

Supplies needed for Finding Sight Words with Dory Sensory Bag

  • 1 Gallon plastic bag
  • 16 oz. Clear styling gel (We got ours at the $1 store)
  • Glitter glue (optional)
  • Small blue plastic fish
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • 13 pieces of Blue construction paper

Directions to Make Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag

  1. First, open the bag. Fill with clear styling gel and a little bit of glitter glue.

Finding Sight Words with Dory Sensory Bag (2 of 6)

  1. Then, add the plastic fish with the gel.

    Finding Sight Words with Dory Sensory Bag (3 of 6)

  2. Next close the bag. Tape shut.
  3. Cut the construction paper in half.
  4. Finally, draw and cut out an uppercase letter on each of the half sheets of paper.

    Finding Sight Words with Dory Sensory Bag (4 of 6)

How to play Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag

  1. Select a letter. Put it UNDER the pre-made sensory bag.
  2. Say the alphabet letter name and sound Ex. “This is a letter A. It makes the /a/ sound.”
  3. Have your child repeat the letter name and sound.
  4. Next, let your child push the fish though the letter. Just like you were writing, have them swim from left to right. (If you watched the movie Finding Dory, she swam through water pipes. My kids did this activity and said, “She’s swimming through the letter pipes.” )
  5. Repeat for 3-5 letters.
  6. Finally, when the 3-5 letters have been mastered, you can add more. As a parent, I want to make sure learning is fun, not overwhelming. Small amounts are much more manageable.



Variations to the Swimming Letters with Dory Sensory Bag

  • Cut out a set of numbers 1-10. Call out and swim the number.
  • Put two letters together under the bag to make a simple word: it, at, am. Sound out and swim those words.
  • Find sight words with Dory.

Click for direction on how to make and play Finding Sight Words with Dory Sensory Bag

Learn to read sight words with this super cute finding Sight Words with Dory Sensory Bag

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

  • Twitter10
  • Facebook36

Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: Alphabet, Ocean, Preschool

About Amanda Boyarshinov

K - 12 masters reading teacher, author and mom to 3. Amanda is a National Board Certified teacher with oodles of experience in early childhood education.

« Fill your Bookshelves with Finding Dory Books for Kids
Make the most of Back to School Shopping »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to our Newsletter!


For ages…

Grade School
Preschool
Toddler
Baby

Search for an Activity

POPULAR POSTS

Virtual Field Trips for Kids
Valentine's Day Activities for Baby or Toddler
Easter Eggs stacked using Playdough for STEM Challenge
10 things to put in a pinata that are not candy
spring virtual field trips for kids with flowers, trees, baby animals and more
February Activity Calendar

GRAB OUR BOOK!

100 fun and Easy Learning Games for Kids Book Cover Standing

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You Might Also Like

Homemade Valentines Day card Ideas for Kids

20 Adorable Homemade Valentines for Classmates

Valentine Activities for Babies and Toddlers from The Educators' Spin On It

Valentine’s Day Activities for Babies and Toddlers

Valentine's Day Books for kids of all ages

Top 40 Valentine’s Day Books

february activities for school ages

February Themed After School Activities for Kids

Best Place to See Dolphins in the Florida Keys: Dolphin Research Center

Best Place to See Dolphins in the Keys: Dolphin Research Center

Let’s Connect!

Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities and even recipes for kids!
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023