We are currently doing a Solar System unit in our homeschooling. It has been a really fun science unit to work on because there are so many fun hands-on activities that can go along with it. I created a glow-in-the-dark solar system sensory bin for the kids to play with and also made them this Space sensory bottle.
One of the great things about this particular sensory bottle is that it is naturally weighted because of the rocks. This adds an extra sensory element and some children (and adults!) can find this particularly calming.
Outer Space Sensory Bottle:
Materials needed:
- empty water bottle (I used a Voss water bottle because I like the look of the lid and the shape of the bottle)
- black gravel or black sand as fill
- black decorative rocks
- Space Toob
Safari Space TOOB
VOSS Water BottleBlack Aquarium Gravel
MY LATEST VIDEOS
I created this discovery bottle in layers because I didn’t want for the figures to all get stuck at the top and it turns out that was the right call. I put a layer of fill, then half a handful of the decorative rocks, then a space shuttle or satellite or astronaut or two and then repeated the process a few more times. Layering the fill and rocks created pockets for the objects from the Space Toob to sit in.
This also created an I-Spy type of element to the space sensory bottle as well. The kids could search for the space crafts and astronauts (and their favourite character, the monkey in space) and find them by turning the bottle different ways.
There is also an auditory feedback element to this sensory bottle as it gets tipped back and forth during play.
This does contain small parts, so if younger children are going to play with it, you may want to secure the lid by gluing it in place with a hot glue gun.
If you are looking for other sensory ideas, you may want to sign up for our free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities (just pop your email into the box below) and get a printable list of 175 Great Sensory Ideas.
This is great! Bulldozer would love this in his sensory kit. I’ll definitely have to keep it in mind when I do Sunshine’s astronomy unit!
This is really cool! I bet kids of all ages would have fun playing with a space sensory bottle!
Thank you for all the work you’ve done on your site & so helpful! it’s amazing ! You have really given me some hope & help. Does a 16.9 ounce bottle have a larger opening on the top of it ?
I had bought the incorrect size – the 11.5 oz. and the mouth of the bottle is very small. Since the bottles are quite expensive, I was just wondering if the larger bottle had a wider mouth opening for the objects before I purchased another set . Thank you for all you do!
Hi Kerri. I think the opening is slightly larger, but it was still not large enough for some of the items from the Space toob (I made a Space sensory bin and used the ones that were too big to fit into the bottle in that). Hope that helps!