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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
This first part should be done by an adult. You will want to be sure anytime you are using small objects that you supervise your child carefully and keep these away from kids who are likely to put things in their mouths.
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.
Why do you need chore charts?
They help to motivate kids! Each chore printable has a fun theme and has a place for your child to write their name. There are spaces for you to write daily chores and weekly chores. You can personalize the chores that they will be doing by writing those in. If your chores change from week to week, no problem! Children check off each chore on the day they do it. This is an easy and fun way to get kids to help out around the house!
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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.
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!
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 🙂
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.
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 @ Mess For Less
Kristi, I had success with putting some glue in the lid and some on the threads.
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!
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....
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.
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.
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Linda, thank you! I adore your blog and reading about your adventures with your family.
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Love hearing they work with teens too Shecki. I will have to remember that!
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!
Linda Ortiz
Thanks a lot I will try this with my kids!!!
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.
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.
Vicky @ Mess For Less
Yes, Bethany, it goes in with the loose glitter.Thanks for stopping by!
Bethany
When do the jewels get put in? The article doesn't say. Do they go in with the glitter?
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!
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!