Sensory bottles offer a double dose of fun for stay-at-home moms and their little ones: not only are they incredibly soothing for children to use, but creating them together is an engaging activity in itself! These easy-to-make sensory bottles support development and provide a calming influence whenever needed. Check out how fun it is to create these sensory tools, using simple items!
What Are Sensory Bottles?
Sensory bottles, also known as discovery bottles or calm-down jars, are sealed containers filled with various materials to visually stimulate a child's senses. These bottles are perfect for any age (even adults love them!) because they offer a safe and soothing way to explore focus and emotional regulation.
Benefits of Sensory Bottles
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Sensory Development: Stimulates visual, auditory, and tactile senses
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Fine Motor Skills: Improves hand-eye coordination and dexterity
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Cognitive Growth: Enhances problem-solving and critical thinking skills
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Emotional Regulation: Serves as a calming tool during moments of stress or overstimulation
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Language Development: Encourages descriptive language and vocabulary expansion
How to DIY Sensory Bottles
This is my simple, step-by-step guide to creating a basic sensory bottle! You can choose the materials that best suit your child's interests or the sensory bottle theme you want to make, and they should be able to help with all of the steps (except for the glue'ing at the end!).
Materials needed:
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Baby oil
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Food coloring or glitter or sequins (optional)
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Small plastic figurines, gems, pipe cleaners, craft pompoms, buttons, or any other oil-safe items
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Super glue or hot glue gun (optional)
Instructions:
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Clean and dry your plastic bottle thoroughly.
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Fill 2/3 of the bottle with baby oil.
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(Optional) If you want to add color or sparkle:
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For food coloring: Add a few drops to the oil, place the lid securely on the bottle, then shake gently.
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For glitter or sequins: Add a small amount (start with 1/4 teaspoon) to the oil.
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Fill the rest of the bottle with baby oil, leaving about an inch of space at the top for movement.
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Add your chosen items:
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Carefully drop in small figurines, gems, or other oil-safe items.
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Be creative! You can use small toys, buttons, or even curled pieces of pipe cleaners!
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Secure the lid:
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Screw the lid on tightly.
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For extra security, run a line of super glue or hot glue around the edge of the lid.
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Test your bottle:
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Gently turn it upside down to ensure there are no leaks.
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Shake it up and watch the oil carrying the sensory items along!
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(Optional) For younger children or added safety, you can wrap duct tape around the entire lid and neck of the bottle.
Watch this video to see how easy and fun it is for kids to create their own sensory bottles!
Tips:
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The viscosity of the oil creates a slow, mesmerizing movement of the objects inside.
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If the movement is too fast, add more oil. If you want faster movement, you can experiment with adding a little water.
Tips for Creating Safe and Durable Sensory Bottles
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Use plastic bottles to prevent breakage.
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Secure lids with strong glue to prevent spills.
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Supervise young children during use.
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Regularly check bottles for wear and tear.
Incorporating Sensory Bottles into Daily Routines
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Morning Wake-Up: Use a glitter bottle to gently transition your child from sleep to wakefulness.
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Quiet Time: Introduce sensory bottles during reading or rest periods to maintain focus.
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Bedtime Routine: Have a special bedtime sensory bottle on your child's nightstand that they can use during their wind-down time.
Enjoy the magic of making your own sensory bottles!
Sensory bottles offer an exciting, engaging, and cost-effective way to practice regulation at home. By creating these simple yet captivating tools, you're providing valuable learning experiences that support their overall development. Start crafting your own sensory bottles today and watch your child's imagination and skills flourish!
Remember, the key to successful at-home learning is finding activities that are both fun and educational. Sensory bottles tick both these boxes, making them a perfect addition to any stay-at-home mom's toolkit of enriching activities.
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