Kids can work on their visual perception while playing with this I Spy Birds Sensory Bottle. It is simple to create at home or for the classroom. 
This sensory bottle creates opportunity for kids to use their tactile, visual, and proprioceptive sensory systems. Sensory input is an important part of child development and emotional regulation.
I Spy Birds Sensory Bottle:
Supplies needed:
-
- 16.9 oz. bottle (you can use a sensory bottle or Voss type water bottle)
- white rice
- funnel
- bird buttons
- optional: hot glue
Directions:
- Using a funnel, add a small amount of rice to the bottom of the bottle.
- Place a bird button inside the bottle.
- Repeat the above steps until all the birds are placed inside the bottle. By layering the rice and birds, you can ensure they won’t all be in the same place.
- Fill the remainder of the bottle with rice, but leave some space for the rice to move around. You can empty out rice if you feel the rice doesn’t move enough to allow the animals to be seen.
- Replace the lid on the bottle.
- If you want to secure the bottle, you can secure the lid with a hot glue gun.
- Give the sensory bottle to your child or students to explore.
- If you want, you can write a list of the birds for them to find.
Allow the child to move and shake the rice around until they find all of the birds. They can even expand the activity by researching what type of birds they are.
This activity would go well with a unit study on birds.
Expanding your study on birds:
- Go for a nature walk to observe birds and listen to their songs.
- Create bird notebooking pages.
- Set out books on birds.
- Make a bird feeder and watch as birds come to eat.
- Complete some bird worksheets.
- Play the Birds of North America game.
As with all sensory play activities, adult supervision should be used at all times. Even if you have secured the lid with glue, it is still possible to get it open and the bottle contains small parts which are choking hazards for children.
Are you looking for more easy sensory play ideas to make for your child or students? Join us for a five day email series on Sensory Activities and Solutions and get a free sample of our Sensory Play Recipes eBook.
Check out some of our other sensory bottles:
