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How to Make a Sensory Bottle—A Calming Craft for Kids

Twirling beads, roaming rubber bands, swirling snowflakes…these items are perfect for creating a variety of sensory bottles, a DIY craft excellent for engaging little ones’ senses. These bottles are a great resource to help kids of all ages wind down after a long day of play or relax before drifting off to sleep. Even the Scout Elves love experimenting with objects they find around the North Pole to construct their own imaginative bottles and sensory rich experience. Read on for instructions for this easy-to-create, clever craft!

Blue snowflake sensory bottle

Soothing Snowflake

Soothing Snowflake Sensory Bottle

Blue snowflake sensory bottle


You’ll Need:

  • Clear plastic bottle
  • Water
  • Glitter glue
  • White glitter (optional)
  • Snowflake sequins
  • Super glue

Instructions:

  1. Fill an empty clear plastic bottle ¾ of the way full with water.
  2. Pour desired amount of glitter glue into the bottle, filling it up to ¼ full. Helpful hint: The Scout Elves love using blue glitter glue to remind them of the North Pole!
  3. Shake the bottle until the glue and water have mixed together.
  4. Add desired amount of snowflake sequins, up to two handfuls.
  5. For extra sparkle, add white glitter.
  6. Close the lid tightly. We recommend using super glue to secure the lid to the bottle to prevent spills.
  7. Younger children will enjoy shaking the bottle and watching the North Pole snowflakes fly! Keep older kids engaged by creating a game with the finished sensory bottle. Challenge kids and their friends to count as many snowflakes as they can before they settle to the bottom! The person who was able to count the most wins!
Rainbow bubble sensory bottle

Rainbow Surprise

Rainbow Surprise Sensory Bottle

Rainbow bubble sensory bottle


You’ll Need:

  • Clear plastic bottle
  • Water
  • Water beads
  • Bowl
  • Super glue

Instructions:

  1. Gather desired amount of colorful water beads, and allow them to sit in a bowl of water in order to grow to full size. This will take at least 4 hours.
  2. Add desired amount of colorful water beads to an empty clear plastic bottle. Helpful hint: If you’re in a crunch for time, try using air freshener beads found at your local dollar store!
  3. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water.
  4. Close the lid tightly. Try using super glue to secure the lid to the bottle to prevent spills.
  5. Let little ones wave the bottle back and forth, and watch the colorful beads swirl around like a rainbow! For older children, create a game by adding plastic letters to the bottle. Shake the bottle, and ask kids to spell words using only the letters they see. Who can spell the longest or most creative word?
Rubber band sensory bottle

Roaming Rubber Band

Roaming Rubber Band Sensory Bottle

Rubber band sensory bottle


You’ll Need:

  • Clear plastic bottle
  • Water
  • Colorful mini rubber bands
  • Super glue

Instructions:

  1. Fill an empty clear plastic bottle ½ of the way full with water.
  2. Add desired amount of colorful, mini rubber bands.
  3. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water. Helpful hint: For this sensory bottle, the Scout Elves only used water; however, you could also add a drop of baby oil or corn syrup if you want items to float more slowly. Add oil gradually, so items don’t clump together.
  4. Close the lid tightly. For extra strength, use super glue to secure the lid to the bottle to prevent spills.
  5. Let small children turn the bottle upside down, and watch as the mini rubber bands roll round and round! Interest older kids by creating a game. Use a water bottle with a shallow top, and glue a golf tee to the top before sealing the lid shut. Now see who can get the most rubber bands to land on the golf tee!
Kaleidoscope colorful sensory bottle

Crazy Kaleidoscope

Crazy Kaleidoscope Sensory Bottle

Kaleidoscope colorful sensory bottle


You’ll Need:

  • Clear plastic bottle
  • Water
  • Assortment of small and large colorful beads and sequins
  • Super glue

Instructions:

  1. Fill an empty clear plastic bottle ½ of the way full with water.
  2. Add an assortment of colorful beads and sequins, both big and small. Helpful hint: The Scout Elves maintained a color pattern using blues, greens, purples and pinks.
  3. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water. Helpful hint: Add a drop or two of food coloring to give this bottle a different look!
  4. Close the lid tightly. We suggest using super glue to secure the lid to the bottle to prevent spills.
  5. Encourage young kids to give the bottle a good shake as they watch the colorful beads spin like a kaleidoscope! Create a game older children will love by asking them to shake the bottle and count the seconds it takes for the beads to settle to the bottom. Make it a challenge to see who was able to keep the sequins swirling the longest!

Find more innovative craft ideas inspired by the Scout Elves in the Scout Elf Craft Corner!

Please remember that when attempting the craft included in this post children should always be supervised by an adult. When using crafting supplies or products, always read manufacturer’s instructions and warnings.