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Sensory Bottles

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We love creating sensory bottles. There are so many possibilities. Whether you’re wanting to create a simple glitter sensory bottle or calm down bottle or wanting to create something with a fun theme, sensory bottles are easy to make yourself.
They are a great addition to your child’s sensory play or to your preschool or classroom. There are many benefits to exploring with a sensory bottle. Not only does this activity allow kids to meet some of their sensory needs through visual, tactile, and sometimes proprioceptive, auditory, or olfactory sensory systems, they also give way for other avenues of learning. 

In fact, sensory bottles are also known as discovery bottles. You can create them along any theme to coincide with a learning unit in your preschool, classroom, or home.

It’s easy to make your own sensory bottles. With just a few supplies, you can create your own. They are a mess free sensory play option great for all ages.

How to make sensory bottles:

Step one: Choose the bottle.

You’ll need an empty bottle. I usually use either use an empty Voss bottle or a plastic bottle from the craft store because I like the look of them, but any empty bottle you have will do.

I almost always use plastic, but sometimes choose to use a glass bottle to add extra weight for proprioceptive feedback. Of course, you want to use extra caution if using a glass bottle and only use it with older kids or adults. 

Other containers that will work are spice containers or small plastic test tubes. Spice containers are especially good if you’re wanting to make smell bottles.

Step two: Fill the bottle with liquid of some kind or another filler.

Common sensory bottle fillers are:

  • water
  • combination of warm water and clear glue
  • hair gel
  • hand sanitizer or liquid soap
  • water beads and water
  • corn syrup
  • baby oil
  • cooking oil
  • shampoo
  • dry rice
  • dry beans
  • coconut
  • Epsom salt
  • sand

Step three: Add other things of interest.

Common examples are:

  • small toys
  • glitter
  • confetti
  • sequins
  • beads
  • Rainbow Loom elastics
  • plastic animals
  • googly eyes
  • pompoms 
  • mini erasers
  • buttons
  • marbles
  • LEGO
  • ribbon
  • rocks
  • shells
  • items found on a nature hike or beach walk
  • items from a Toob

VOSS Water Plastic BottlesVOSS Water Plastic BottlesVOSS Water Plastic BottlesEmpty Sensory BottlesEmpty Sensory BottlesEmpty Sensory BottlesWater BeadsWater BeadsWater BeadsFine Glitter SetFine Glitter SetFine Glitter SetSequinsSequinsSequinsSummer ConfettiSummer ConfettiSummer ConfettiRainbow Loom Rubber BandsRainbow Loom Rubber BandsRainbow Loom Rubber BandsAssorted Miniature Animal ToysAssorted Miniature Animal ToysAssorted Miniature Animal ToysMini ErasersMini ErasersMini ErasersSafari Ltd On the Road TOOBSafari Ltd On the Road TOOBSafari Ltd On the Road TOOBSafari Ltd In The Sky TOOBSafari Ltd In The Sky TOOBSafari Ltd In The Sky TOOBSafari Ltd Knights & Dragons ToobSafari Ltd Knights & Dragons ToobSafari Ltd Knights & Dragons ToobGorilla Super GlueGorilla Super GlueGorilla Super Glue

 

Step four: Secure the bottle.

You’ll then want to replace the lid and if using with younger children, secure it in place with a hot glue gun or Gorilla glue. Be aware that even if glued on, the lids can be opened so adult supervision should always be used.

Step five: Play!

How to make glitter sensory bottles:

There are two main ways to make a glitter sensory bottle. One is using a combination of warm water and glitter glue. The other is to combine warm water, clear glue, and glitter. 

  1. Add a bottle of glitter glue or clear glue to an empty water bottle.
  2. If using clear glue, add a generous amount of glitter.
  3. Next, pour in warm water until the bottle is almost full.
  4. Replace the lid and shake well.
  5. If using with younger children, secure the lid with a hot glue gun or Gorilla glue. 

The glue in the bottle will slow down the movement of the glitter, thus creating a calming effect as kids (or adults) watch it fall. This is an easy way to make your own calm down jars.

Sensory bottle ideas:

American Girls sensory bottle squareAmerican Girls Sensory Bottle
Bring a bit of the North home with this Arctic Sensory BottleArctic Sensory Bottle
Astronaut Sensory Bottle
At the Beach Nature Sensory Bottle
At the Beach Sensory Bottle
Baseball Mini Sensory Bottle
a child's hands hold a blue calm down bottle. The child's hands are all that is visible as the child is snuggled underneath a green blanket.Bedtime Calming Sensory Bottle
Bugs Sensory Bottle
Christmas Counting I-Spy Discovery (Sensory) BottleChristmas Counting I-Spy Discovery Bottle
Christmas Ornaments Sensory Bottle
Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle
Colour Mixing Sensory Bottle
Deconstructed Christmas Tree Sensory Bottle
Minions Despicable Me Sensory BottleDespicable Me Minions Sensory Bottle
Dinosaur Sensory Bottle
blue plush mini chick and pastel sequins in a bottle with clear liquid and glitterEaster Sensory Bottle
Fall Leaves Sensory Jar
Football Mini Sensory Bottle
Glitter Sensory Bottle
Glow in the Dark Sensory Bottle
close up of a sensory bottle with orange pumpkins and purple huesHalloween Sensory Bottle
clear bottle on its side filled with dry rice and colourful bird buttonsI Spy Birds Sensory Bottle
clear bottle filled with dry rice and forest animal buttonsI Spy Forest Animal Babies Sensory Bottle
Lego Sensory Bottle
A closeup picture of a sensory bottle filled with bright colours of alphabet beads and bright coloured tinsel.Lightweight ABC I Spy Sensory Bottle
This melted snowman sensory bottle is adorable!Melted Snowman Sensory Bottle
Mermaid Calm Down Bottle
Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Sensory Bottle
Money Sensory Bottle for Math Unit
Monster Sensory Bottle
Nativity Sensory Bottle Snow Globe
Nature Sensory Bottle
New Year’s Eve Noisemakers
New Year’s Eve Sensory Bottle
This New Year's sensory bottle is especially for the kids but can also add to the decor of any New Year's celebrations.New Year’s Sensory Bottle for Kids
Ocean Discovery Bottle that keeps items suspended including the glow in the dark jellyfish and starfishOcean Sensory Bottle
Pretty Princess Sensory Bottle
Rainbow Rainfall Sensory Bottle - This discovery bottle is easily made with straws and beads.Rainbow Rainfall Sensory Bottle
Sensory Smell Bottles
Shark Week Sensory Bottle
Simple Fall Sensory Bottle
A Sky sensory bottle to encourage exploration and imagination.Sky Sensory Bottle
Snowflake Sensory Bottle and simple science lessonSnowflake Sensory Bottle and Science Lesson
This Space themed discovery bottle is naturally weighted which provides more sensory input.Space Sensory Bottle
Spring Sensory Bottle with butterflies, flowers and bugsSpring Sensory Bottle
St. Patrick's Day Sensory BottleSt. Patrick’s Day Sensory Bottle
Superheroes Sensory Bottle
Thanksgiving Sensory Bottle
The Grinch Sensory Bottle
Unicorns and Fairies Sensory Bottle
Valentine’s Calm Down Bottle
The contents of this Valentines sensory bottle can later be used to create the base of a Valentine's Day sensory bin.Valentines Sensory Bottle
Van Gogh Inspired Starry Night Sensory Bottle
One Year of Awesome Sensory Bottles
Zoo Mini Sensory Bottle

Join me for a free 5 part email series Sensory Solutions and Activities and get a free sample of our Sensory Play Recipes eBook. 

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