what is an enrichment bag?

Oxford languages describes enrichment as “the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something”. 

“Enrichment bags” are typically used to provide mental and physical stimulation to animals — especially in zoos, sanctuaries, shelters, or in our homes for our beloved pets to encourage natural behaviors like foraging, sniffing, tearing, or problem-solving.  

We've borrowed this concept for people as a playful and purposeful way to support mental health, creativity, curiosity, and self-care — kind of like a cross between a care package, a sensory kit, and a personal development toolkit.  How fun is that! And, what is inside depends totally on what is important for you!

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why you need an enrichment bag?

When you’ve had enough of being on screens - be it screen addiction, comparison on social media, doom scrolling or any of the other reasons you want to step away from the digital world - having an enrichment bag could be just what you need. It doesn’t have to be a bag. Your enrichment bag can anything... it could be a box, or a basket, or a bin. You can repurpose an old drawstring bag, designate one of your (likely many) tote bags, you could use an organization bin, or a wicker basket, or a shoe box - the possibilities are truly endless!

You can even make a bag as your next crochet or knitting project.  As long as you have something to contain things, you’re off to a good start. 

Now fill your enrichment bag with items that you, specifically you, find enriching. The beauty of this is that you can (and should) customize this to your wants and needs. Just like snowflakes, no two enrichment bags look the same nor contain the same items.