Jump to:
Why these sensory bottles are awesome
For a younger child with big emotions, these glitter jars make a great sensory toy. Kids get enthralled watching the glitter swirl around. If your kids are a little older, the bottles can be used in conjunction with a time out or cooling off period. Preschools often use these jars for that purpose. The child simply shakes the bottle up and watches all of the glitter fall to the bottom. This takes approximately 2 ½ minutes to occur. Even just making the calming bottles provides sensory input for kids.
Supplies needed to make a calm down jar
- 16 oz plastic bottles with water or you can use these sensory bottles
- Glitter glue (we bought ours in a 3 pack at the dollar store - each bottle is 3oz)
- Glitter (normal glitter or fine glitter will work)
- Jewels
- Glue gun
How to make DIY calming jars
Now it's time for the kids to have some fun creating their glitter sensory bottles. Give your child an open bottle of water and some glitter glue. Have them start squeezing the glitter glue into the bottle. Little hands love helping with this step.
If you don't have glitter glue, you can use clear glue instead and just add loose glitter to the bottle.
You can use a funnel to help with this step.
What follows was my kids' favorite part - shaking up the mixture. My daughter shook up, down, sideways and every which way.
When you first start shaking, the glitter glue with break into small clumps. But steady, vigorous shaking will break up the clumps and mix the colors of glitter.
These homemade sensory bottles make great a mindfulness jar and sensory play activity. As kids watch the glitter settle in a glitter water bottle they are practicing being in the present moment. I hope your kids enjoy these as much as mine did back in the day!
Frequently asked questions
I often think there is no such thing as too much glitter, but feel free to dump some out and add more water to the bottle.
Yes, you can, but I don't recommend it since these jars will be used by kids and kids often drop things. I know many people create sensory jars using a Voss bottle, but since they are glass, I avoid them.
The only mess will be made while you are making. Since the cap is glued onto the bottle, this keeps the mess under wraps.
Make a healthy lifestyle easier
If you are looking for ways to create and sustain a healthy, beautiful home you must try Grove Collaborative. Grove Collaborative is a scheduled delivery service that ships natural home, beauty, and personal care products directly to your door!
Every product sold is nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty free. Everything you buy from Grove is good for you, your family, your home, and the planet.
To help you maintain healthy choices, Grove recommends monthly shipments and product refills that you can edit or move at any time. No monthly fees or commitments are required.
Click here to learn more and get your FREE Mrs. Meyer's Set which ships free and includes a free trial of Grove's VIP shopping option.
Toni Barsi
I made one of these when my daughter was 2, and it was great until the day it broke open. You're not kidding about the super human strength! I was sucking blue glitter out of the carpet for ages!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Toni, I can so see that happening to me. I have them stored away when the kids aren't using them, since we have enough glitter all over our house. LOL!
Bethany
When do the jewels get put in? The article doesn't say. Do they go in with the glitter?
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Yes, Bethany, it goes in with the loose glitter.Thanks for stopping by!
Shecki Grtlyblesd
We made these this summer! Even my teens love them. 🙂 I have one in my room, and my 13 year old has a couple in hers, too.
Linda Ortiz
I will try this with my kids...just looking at the picture make me calm....really after a stressful homeschooling day....Thanks for the post.
Linda Ortiz
Thanks a lot I will try this with my kids!!!
Christi Parker
I have now tried this twice and my glue just turns into a lava lamp looking thing. When I leave it overnight, it clumps at the bottom and then won't break apart. Does this happen with you too? I'm wondering if it is just the Elmer's Glitter Glue I'm using or the Smart Water. Thanks!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Love hearing they work with teens too Shecki. I will have to remember that!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Linda, thank you! I adore your blog and reading about your adventures with your family.
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Christi, I have to think it's the Elmer's glitter glue. I have only done this with the glitter glue from the dollar store and it is probably a different ratio of glitter to glue. I used plain tap water and the dollar store glitter glue if it helps.
Cathy Vey
What works best for retarding stuff growing on the inside of the bottles. I have done sensory bottles before and after awhile end up with weird clumpy looking algae or something inside.
Cathy Vey
What is the best thing to use to retard growths inside the bottle. I have done these before and eventually had strange things growing inside the bottles....
Kristi Burton
How exactly do you glue the lid onto the bottle? I tried a couple of times, putting the glue into the lid and putting it on top but the lid does not go on straight and is not secure. Is it better to put the glue on the neck of the bottle, where the threads are? Or on the very top of the neck and then put the lid on? Thanks!
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Kristi, I had success with putting some glue in the lid and some on the threads.
Dawn Garcia
I tried the calming bottle and it leaks. I used a glue gun, then white glue, and tape. It still leaks badly.
Vicky
That is a bummer Dawn. We had our for months and months and they never leaked once. Sorry it didn't work out for you.
rebecca speer
I have read that you should use just clear glue. but if you want to use glitter glue you must use boiling water with it. hope this helps 🙂
Steph
I've also used clear packing tape on the top of the lids. I've used this with my 3-5yr olds with Autism, and they loved it!
Jessica
I wish I could take credit for this great idea as well! So simple, but so great. Thank you for sharing, I think i'll make one for myself.
Trivia Games
Wow! I made it for my center and my students. It's good! I even made trivia games on this topic for the best of the users.