Little mess and lots of fun, gel bags are easy to make and a squishy way to practice writing.

What You Need:  

• Ziploc bag 
• Hair gel 
• Food coloring 
• Glitter or sequins (optional) 
• Duct or packing tape (optional) 

 
What You Do:  

1. Fill the Ziploc bag about a quarter full with hair gel. 
2. Add a few drops of food coloring to the bag (and glitter if you’d like). 
3. Seal the bag, getting as much air out as possible while mixing the gel and food coloring. 
4. Add duct tape to completely seal the bag shut. 
5. Smooth the gel out to create a writing surface. 
6. Use your finger to write letters in the gel. 

Words to Use:  

• Impression: a mark left by pressing something into a soft surface 
• Gel: a thick wet substance used in beauty or cleaning products 
• Texture:  the way a surface or material feels when you touch it, especially how smooth or rough it is.  

 
What to Talk About:  

• What sound does this letter make? 
• What words have that sound? (Example:  A for alligator) 
• What does the letter look like? Is it round? Straight? Have an open space or no space? 

 
Change It Up:  

• Try mixing 2 colors in the bag with the gel.  What colors did it make? 
• Try writing words or blends.  Try numbers.  
• What other things can you practice writing with your finger? 

Learning Connections:  

• Communication  
• Creativity  
• Language Development  
• Literacy  
• Fine Motor Development  

Curriculum Connections:
NC Standard Course of Study  

• ELA: RF.K.2, RF.K.3, RF.K.4, RF.K.1., RF.1.2, RF.2.2