Brilliant Bubble Wrap Activities & Gross Motor Games

Bubble wrap is one of the best inventions (other than balloons); there are so many fun ways to use it!

Put bubble wrap in front of children and watch them rush to play and explore those awesome little pockets of air. Our Brilliant Bubble Wrap Activities and Gross Motor Games will have kids laughing while they learn. We have had so much fun with the bubble wrap that we couldn’t choose just one activity, the kids just wanted more and more ways to play! Bubble wrap is also a fabulous sensory activity that can help kids calm down.

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Materials for Bubble Wrap Activities:

BUBBLE WRAP ACTIVITIES & GAMES

Bubble Wrap Hopscotch:

This game is pretty self-explanatory. Layout squares of bubble wrap with numbers drawn on them and let the fun begin! The bubble wrap entices a reluctant child to play. Schooling a Monkey turned the simple game of hopscotch into a sensory number game.

Bubble Wrap Races

Lay the bubble wrap on the ground. Let the children ride their trikes, bikes, and scooters over the bubble wrap. This is one of the kids’ favorite bubble wrap activities!

Bubble Wrap Paths

This is a great way to work on motor planning. You can lay the bubble wrap in paths that go up, down and around and have the children follow the path. We tried laying it out in an infinite loop to work on crossing midline. You could lay it down in the shapes of letters for an early alphabet activity.

Blindfolded Version of a Bubble Wrap Path

Blindfold the child(ren) and then have them follow the path by feel. Start off easy, then make the path go in unexpected directions. Go up, over, and around obstacles and different feeling surfaces. You can also vary the game by having them keep their hands behind their backs on put one hand on the head, etc. To make it extra tough, put on blindfolds, make the path go over unexpected surfaces, in an unexpected direction, while you call out instructions like, “Put your hand behind your back.” “Go backward!” or “Now, hop on one foot!”

Rolling Pin Races

The Inspired Tree House asked the kids to come up with items from around the house that, when rolled onto the bubble wrap, would produce the most popping. What a great auditory activity!

Pop the Bubbles!

Most of us have enjoyed popping bubble wrap at some point. Did you know that the act of popping bubble wrap helps with finger strength and fine motor coordination? It also can calm an active child. When I was working in a preschool there was one boy who would only sit still for circle time when I gave him a piece of bubble wrap to pop.

Paint with Bubble Wrap:

You can make fun paint textures with bubble wrap. Wrap a roller with the bubble wrap. Secure with tape. Dip the roller into paint and roll on paper. The kids will love the fun texture they create on the paper. Mess For Less took painting with bubble wrap to the next level by wrapping the bubble wrap on the feet and letting the kids stomp in the paint.