A sensory bottle is a clear bottle filled with different items like water, sand, oil, water beads or rice. They are primarily used to create a visual or aural sensory experience for your child. These bottles can be used at all ages and can serve a different purpose for each age.
Some examples of uses for different age groups are listed below:
- Babies and Toddlers: Sensory bottles can be used for babies and toddlers to help with Fine Motor development. Teach them to grasp the bottle with one hand and shake it. It can also be used to help distract a wiggly baby during a diaper change or entertain them on a long car ride!
- Preschoolers: For preschool-aged kiddos, these bottles can be used to create different musical sounds as a self-regulation tool to help calm them. When a child is upset, using these sensory bottles as a calming tool is a wonderful idea. Allow them to find a quiet place in a safe space and focus on watching the glitter swirl and fall from top to bottom of the bottle. Watching the slow-moving glitter can relax and calm them helping to redirect their behavior. P.S. – If you’re looking for additional tips on how to calm your little one, we’ve got an article on calming techniques for kiddos.
- Older Kiddos (Ages 5 and Up): As your child gets older you can create ‘I Spy’ sensory bottles using sand, rice, and small objects like shells or gems. You can ask them to shake or roll the bottle until they find a named object. You can also create nature sensory bottles. While out on walks with my family, my kids will each have a bottle and fill it with small rocks, sticks, and leaves to being back home and explore the objects.
Additional Tips
Creating a sensory bottle together as a family is also a great bonding experience! I recommend it as a great rainy-day activity. You can talk together about the different items you are using, and other ways they can be used (Ex: Oil is also used for cooking). Creating the bottles are also a great Fine Motor exercise for kids because they are grabbing small items and putting them through a small opening. Creating the bottles is only half of the fun and playing with them is even better!
One of my family’s favorite types of sensory bottles to make is the ‘tornado’ bottle. There are several options on how to make it. You can use water and a small amount of dish soap and food coloring, or water and a small amount of oil. Once you have filled the bottle, swirl it around to create the tornado effect!
You can also use a sensory bottle filled with water and glitter as a timer for clean-up. I shake the bottle and tell my kids they have to put all their toys away before the glitter sinks to the bottom of the bottle.
What Do You Need to Make a Sensory Bottle?
A clear water bottle or a Gatorade bottle are both great options, or you can purchase juice bottles on Amazon. You’ll need things like:
- glitter or confetti
- food coloring
- water
- oil
- small shells or gems
- water beads
- rice
- sand
Place your small items into the bottle, then fill the bottle to the neck with water. Put a few drops of food coloring in (if desired) line the inside of the cap with super glue. Place the cap on the bottle tightly. The super glue is to ensure that the bottle top is on securely once you have filled the bottle. Allow at least 15 minutes to dry.
Sensory development and self-regulation are two very important qualities that we love to talk about as Family Support Navigators. We love offering suggestions of different ways you can help your kiddos develop these skills! For any questions about sensory bottles or the purpose behind them, contact us at navigation@familyfutures.net.
Looking for more information about sensory play? We’ve got an article you might like that talks all about what sensory play is and the benefits of it.
