This lightweight ABC I Spy sensory bottle provides all kinds of learning opportunities. The colours are engaging. This provides great sensory play for preschoolers.

ABC I Spy Sensory Bottle:

• plastic Voss water bottle
• tinsel*
• ABC beads
• water
• Super glue, optional

*You can often find tinsel at the Dollar Store or in the party decoration section of a department store. 

Directions:

1. Add tinsel to an empty plastic bottle with a wide mouth. There is no right or wrong amount of tinsel, but you do want to fill the bottle pretty well.
2. Add the alphabet beads into the bottle.
3. Fill the rest of the bottle with water. Using a funnel makes this part easier. 
4. Secure the lid and play! Note: If you are intending to use this sensory bottle with small children, seal the lid with super glue before screwing the lid back on. You will need to give the super glue 15 minutes to dry before giving it to a child.

Learning Objectives:

Sensory – describe how the bottle feels (light, heavy, etc). Describe visual observations. Shake this bottle – what sounds does it make, how does the tinsel swirl, etc.

Math/Science Skills – Count the beads, observe and describe how the tinsel interacts with light, make one of these bottles without using water and make a hypothesis in how you think they will differ and then compare/contrast. Literacy – Identify the letters, name words with the same beginning sounds as you spot letters, rhyme words to the colour of the bead that starts with the letter on the bead.

Social Skills – take turns sharing the bottle. Practice phrases like “my turn”, “your turn”, “go”, and “stop”.

Fine Motor – Let kids push the tinsel into the bottle and pinch up the beads to add them into the bottle.

Language Skills – have kids use descriptive language to explain what the tinsel looks like and what they are experiencing. Practice pragmatic language for rules on how to use the sensory bottle and how to share the sensory bottle (informing, demanding, stating, and requesting).

Check out these preschool sensory bottles:

Colour Mixing Sensory Bottle Rainbow Rainfall Sensory Bottle Space Sensory Bottle 

This bedtime calming sensory bottle is perfect for helping children fall asleep. Your child can watch the stars in the bottle be revealed from within the glitter and count them until falling asleep.

Having a comfort item such as this calming bottle can help kids who have anxiety about bedtime. Incorporating this into the nighttime routine can be good for both children and parents.

Making a Bedtime Calming Sensory Bottle:

Supplies needed:

• plastic Voss water bottle
• 5-10 foam stars (glitter gold)
• ¼ cup holographic glitter (royal blue)
• ¼ cup glitter (royal blue)
• 1 cup hand sanitizer
• 1 cup water
• funnel
• Superglue

Directions:

1. If using a Voss water bottle, empty the bottle of water and allow the bottle to fully dry.
2. Add hand sanitizer and water to the sensory bottle using the funnel.
3. Add the foam stars (these may have to be folded in half depending on size).
4. Add both glitters to the bottle using the funnel.
5. Seal with lid with Superglue and allow the glue to dry fully (at least 15 minutes).*

*Note: I normally only Superglue the lids on sensory bottles for small children, but since this one is going into bed with your child, you should secure the lid with glue. It would be quite a mess to clean up glitter and hand sanitizer from bedding! 

Bedtime Use:

Hand your child the calming bottle when they’re having trouble going to sleep and ask them to count the stars. They will have to allow the stars to reveal themselves from the glitter in order to count them. This will keep the child focused until they fall asleep.

Some kids also just find it helpful to have something to hold onto.

Be sure that the lid is securely in place before allowing your child to sleep with this sensory bottle and for younger kids who may choke on small objects (such as the stars), only use during the day when you can supervise.

Learning Opportunities:

Sensory – Describe the sounds the calming sensory bottle makes, the feel of the bottle (is it light, heavy, etc.), what you can see when you shake the bottle, how quickly the stars fall. This bottle provides visual, tactile, and proprioceptive feedback. 

Math Skills – Count the stars, count the different size stars, and sort the stars by size.

Science Skills – Watch how the glitter moves around, falling down, swirling around and moving with the shaking. Watch how the stars reveal themselves as the glitter shifts, kind of like the stars in the night sky are revealed as the sun goes down. 

Try making the same bottle with just water or just hand sanitizer instead of hand sanitizer and water and compare and contrast how the glitter falls in each of the bottles.

Fine Motor – Getting the stars into the sensory bottle can be a challenge for those little hands. This is great fine motor skill practise for them. It is also an opportunity to problem solve and discuss what happens if you fold the stars, push them in with your fingers or just try to get them to “fall” into the bottle.

Language Skills – have kids use descriptive language to explain what the stars and glitter look like, what sizes the stars are, and what they are experiencing. They can also practise their conversation skills by asking for their sensory bottle at bedtime and talking about how it makes them feel.

Check out these other calming techniques for kids:

Calm Down Breathing for Kids Calming Lavender Playdough The Best Things to Include in a Calm Down Kit 

My oldest daughter loves Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night artwork. This starry night sensory bottle is inspired by that piece. This sensory bottle is extremely lightweight. This makes it perfect for keeping in the vehicle or in a backpack. Having easy access to a sensory bottle can help kids to stay calm when they need it. 

Starry Night Sensory Bottle:

Materials needed:

• plastic water bottle (I like the Voss ones because of the shape and the wide spout)
• 12-inch long, 3-inch wide yellow ribbon
• ½ cup Royal Blue holographic glitter
• ½ cup Royal Blue glitter
• 5-10 gold glitter foam stars, varying sizes
• funnel
• Super Glue, optional

VOSS Water BottlesRoyal Blue Holographic GlitterRoyal Blue Glitter

Directions:

1. If using a Voss water bottle, empty the bottle of water and allow the bottle to air dry.
2. Fold the ribbon and slide it into the sensory bottle.
3. Add stars (these may have to be folded in half depending on the size).
4. Add both glitters to the bottle using the funnel.
5. Replace the lid and play! (see note below)

Note: If you are intending to use this sensory bottle with small children, seal the lid with super glue before screwing the lid back on. You will need to give the super glue at least 15 minutes to dry before handing it over to a child.

Learning Objectives for the Starry Night Sensory Bottle:

Sensory – Describe the sound the bottle makes, describe the feel of the bottle (light, heavy, etc), describe what you see when you shake the bottle. This bottle provides good visual sensory input. 

Math Skills – Counting stars, counting the different size stars, sorting the stars by size.

Science Skills – Over time, watch how the glitter sticks to the side of the bottle, creating a new “painting” with every shake.Fine Motor – Getting the ribbons and stars into the sensory bottle can be a challenge for little hands. Not only will this challenge their fine motor muscles, it is also an excellent chance to problem solve and discuss what happens if you fold the ribbon, push it in with your fingers or just try to get it to “fall” into the bottle.

Language Skills – Have kids use descriptive language to explain what the ribbon, stars and glitter look like, what sizes the stars are, how long the ribbon is and what they are experiencing. Each child can practice pragmatic language for rules on how to use the sensory bottle and how to share the sensory bottle (informing, demanding, stating, and requesting).

Art Appreciation – Look together at images of the original Starry Night painting by Vincent Van Gogh. Discuss how the sensory bottle is similar and how it is different.

Check out these other sensory bottles:

Nature Sensory Bottle

Rainbow Rainfall Sensory Bottle

Ocean Sensory Bottle

Sensory bottles are easy to make and serve a variety of purposes: exploration, discovery, sensory input, and calming. This mega list of sensory bottles can serve as a how-to or just spark your imagination to come up with your own ideas.

To make a sensory bottle, fill an empty water bottle with the materials you’ve chosen and replace the lid. You will most likely want to secure the lid using a hot glue gun. This is especially important if younger children will be using it. Below, find a video detailing how to make a calm down bottle.

Sensory Bottles For Anytime:

Smelling Sensory Bottles from Things to Share and Remember

Pretty Princess Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Button Sensory Bottle from Keep Calm and Mommy On

Water-Bead Sensory Bottles for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers from Living Montessori Now

Lilac Sensory Bottle from Parenting Chaos

Light Saber Sensory Bottles Star Wars Activity for Kids from Little Bins for Little Hands

Superheroes Sensory Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Batman Sensory Bottle from Growing Hands-On Kids

Sensory Bottles that Glow in the Dark from Fun-a-Day

American Girls Sensory Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Minion Sensory Bottle from Little Bins for Little Hands

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Sensory Bottle Activity by Little Bins for Little Hands

Rice Sensory Bottle from Mama Instincts

Water Bead Sensory Bottles from Parenting Chaos

Despicable Me Minions Sensory Bottle from here at The Chaos and The Clutter

Learning Sensory Bottles:

Money Sensory Bottle for Math Unit from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Alphabet Calm Down Bottle from Preschool Inspirations

Sensory Bottles Used to Explore Shapes with Printables from JDaniel 4’s Mom

Alphabet Sensory Bottle from Parenting Chaos

STEAM Camp: How to Make a Magnetic Field Sensory Bottle from Left Brain Craft Brain

Science Discovery Bottles for Sensory Learning from Little Bins for Little Hands

Nature Inspired Sensory Bottles from Rhythms of Play

Farm, Zoo, & Ocean Animal Sensory Bottles from Living Montessori Now

Zoology Sensory Bottles by The Kavanaugh Report

Rust Resistant Magnetic Discovery Bottle from Preschool Inspirations

Sensory Bottle Biomes for Kids by Parenting Chaos

Exploring Liquid Density with Sensory Bottles from Buggy and Buddy

Magnetic Discovery Bottles from Preschool Inspirations

Arctic Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Calm Down Sensory Bottles:

Slow Motion Calm Down Sensory Bottle by Childhood 101

Butterfly Sensory Calm Down Jar from Rhythms of Play

Slow-Falling Beads Sensory Bottle by Teaching Mama

Glitter Bottle Calm Down Tool Sensory Play from Little Bins for Little Hands

Magic Two Ingredient Sensory Bottle from Preschool Inspirations

Easy Glow in the Dark Beads Sensory Bottle from Mom-Inspired Life

Silver and Gold Glitter Sensory Bottles from Fun-a-Day

Seasons & Weather Sensory Bottles:

Season Sensory Bottles from Mama.Papa.Bubba.

Spring Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Spring Flower Sensory Bottle from Kids Craft Room

DIY Butterfly Sensory Bottle by Rhythms of Play

Simple Fall Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

October Fall Sensory Bottle by Teaching Mama

Windy Fall Leaves Sensory Bottle from Rhythms of Play

Weather Sensory Bottles for Circle Time by TwoDaloo

Sky Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Sun and Rain Sensory Bottles from Creative Family Fun

Melted Snowman Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Penguin Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

DIY Frozen-Inspired Snowstorm Sensory Bottle by Rhythms of Play

Snowman Sensory Bottle Snowman by Little Bins for Little Hands

Snowflake Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Ocean Sensory Bottles:

Ocean Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

At the Beach Sensory Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Glittery Mermaid Sensory Bottle from here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Shark Sensory Bottle from Stir the Wonder

Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle from Rhythms of Play

Mini Aquarium in a Bottle: Ocean Sensory Play from A Little Pinch of Perfect

Ocean in a Bottle with 3 Simple Ingredients from Happy Hooligans

DIY Sea Shells Sensory Bottle Calm Down Jar from Rhythms of Play

Sky & Outer Space Sensory Bottles:

Outer Space Discovery Bottle by Artsy Momma

Space Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Slow Falling Star Discovery Bottle from Growing Hands-on Kids

Glow Sticks Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

Gorgeous Rainbow Sky Sensory Bottles from Kids Craft Room

Galaxy in a Jar by Lemon Lime Adventures

Star Gazing Discovery Bottles by Pre-K Pages

Colours & Rainbow Sensory Bottles:

Rainbow Loom Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama (because we all have hundreds of those still lying around our houses!)

Rainbow Rainfall Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Mini Rainbow Sensory Bottles by The Kavanaugh Report

Rainbow Button Sensory Bottle by Frogs and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Rainbow Sensory Bottle with Baby Oil from Ryan and Marsha

Color Mixing Sensory Bottle by Preschool Inspirations

Kindness Potions Sensory Bottles from the Imagination Tree

Amazing Rainbow Sensory and Discovery Bottles from Preschool Inspirations

Holiday Sensory Bottles:

New Year’s Sensory Bottle for Kids here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Christmas Ornaments Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Valentines Sensory Bottle by Little Hands for Little Hands

Valentines Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Floating Hearts Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

St. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

4th of July Discovery Bottle from Growing Hands-On Kids

4th of July Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

Halloween Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

Monster Sensory Bottle here on The Chaos and the Clutter

Christmas Sensory Bottle from Teaching Mama

Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle from Stir the Wonder

Christmas I-Spy Discovery Bottle here on The Chaos and The Clutter

Materials to make Sensory Bottles:

When it comes to making sensory bottles, the only limit is your imagination! You can use such a variety of materials. You need to start with an empty water bottle and filler (such as water, warm water mixed with clear glue or glitter glue, gel, hand sanitizer, sand, or rice).

Next, can add whatever you want. Any type of confetti, small toys, objects found in nature, craft supplies, beads, erasers, or sequins work well. The figures in Toobs work well in most sensory bottles, though not all the figures are small enough to fit through the hole in the bottle top.

Voss Artesian Still Water 4x500ml Plastic BottlesSafari Ltd Insects TOOBSafari Ltd Pets TOOBSafari Ltd Space TOOBSafari Ltd Rainforest TOOBSafari Ltd Flowers TOOBSafari Ltd Fruits & Vegetables ToobMini Construction ToysSea ShellsElmer’s Liquid School Glue, ClearElmer’s Liquid Glitter GlueHand SanitizerCreative Converting Swirls ConfettiWater Beads Rainbow PackFishbowl BeadsGlow In The Dark Pigment PowderBe Amazing Insta-Snow JarPerler BeadsStar BeadsSequins and Spangles Shaker JarGlitter PowderPompoms

Looking for sensory play ideas and answers to all your questions about sensory processing? Check out Sensory Processing Explained: A Handbook for Parents and Educators. 

What makes this beach sensory bottle unique is that we made it using kinetic sand. This ensures that the sand stays separate from the water. We used shells that the kids picked at the beach on Vancouver Island a few years ago, making it a nice way to tie memories into their sensory play. We love Vancouver Island. One of our sons was born there so vacationing there always creates special memories.

At the Beach Sensory Bottle

Materials needed:

• water bottle (I used a Voss bottle)
• water
• blue food colouring
• kinetic sand
• blue glass beads or sea glass
• seashells
• optional: hot glue

Empty the water out of the water bottle. I know that seems backwards since you’ll be adding water back in, so you can pour it into a measuring cup to use in the bottle afterwards. Fill the bottle about a third of the way with the kinetic sand. Using a funnel makes this easier to do.

Kinetic Sand – Beach SandVOSS Water Plastic BottlesSea Glass

Mix two drops of food colouring into the water and fill the bottle most of the way to the top with the blue water. Drop in the water beads and seashells. Put the top back on the sensory bottle. If you want to, you can secure it in place with hot glue.

The kinetic sand creates a lovely beach effect when a child tips the bottle or shakes it up. This beach sensory bottle is a nice way to bring the beach home with you, particularly if you use seashells that your child gathered in the sand themselves.

Are you looking for other easy sensory activities that can actually be created at home? Join me for a 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.

Ocean Sensory Bottle

Squishy Shark Sensory Bag