Learn everything there is to know about calm-down DIY sensory bottles!
DIY Sensory bottles are useful calming tools for anxious or overwhelmed children, kids with sensory needs and sensitivities, children that need help with self-regulation skills, and even adults. Homemade Sensory bottles can also provide a way for children (and adults) of all ages to engage in portable, no-mess, “safe,” sensory play.
Older children can begin to examine the inner workings of the homemade sensory bottle in order to learn basic science principles, while babies and toddlers can investigate small items that are not yet safe for them to touch safely hidden inside a recycled plastic bottle or mason jar. You might also enjoy this list of DIY Sensory Bottles for Every Holiday and Season.
Related: Books for Kids That Help Them Understand Their Feelings
How to Use Calm Down Sensory Bottles
A DIY calm-down sensory bottle is most often used as a calming tool to help calm anxious children when their emotions become overwhelming. If you have a child with sensory sensitivities, DIY calm-down sensory bottles are great to have at home or in the classroom.
A sensory bottle DIY can also be used by a child (or an adult) learning to meditate. Focusing on the objects in the calm down jar will help a child calm down and focus their attention.
“As the bottle clears so does the mind.“
Nell Regan K.
They work wonders for adults too! I have a few DIY sensory bottles sitting on my desk to help me calm down, alleviate anxiety and focus, and help clear away writer’s block.
Yes, they really work!
A DIY calm-down jar can also be used as a timer for “time-outs.” I haven’t personally tried this method but it sounds simple. The sensory bottle is shaken and the child is told to watch the glitter. When it settles they can get up again. No muss, no fuss.
Related: The Best Positive Discipline Books for Parents and Teachers
How to Use Sensory Bottles in a Calm-Down Corner
Instead of time out’s we have created a calm-down corner with calming pillows and blankets, DIY sensory bottles, and books.
We encourage our daughter to visit her calm-down corner whenever she needs to “start fresh.” It’s not always easy to get her to retreat to her corner when she needs to–but it always works.
She knows that sensory bottles will break if they are thrown. If she abuses the items in the corner, those items disappear until she shows us that she can use them appropriately.
Pillows are for hitting, throwing, and screaming into, books and sensory bottles are for viewing, not throwing. Pretty simple. We keep our sensory bottles in a wine bottle rack in her corner that works beautifully!
Related: DIY Projects for Do-it-Yourself Families
How to Make Sensory Bottles
There is a lot of science that goes into making DIY sensory bottles. The type of ingredients and amounts used will determine the properties of the sensory bottle, including how long it takes to settle. This is important if you will be using it as a timer.
Make them with your children for a great science lesson!
You really need to make a few DIY sensory bottles before you have a vague idea of what you are doing. Yes, they are really easy to make–but it is also very easy to see how you could have made them better after you’ve made a few.
My most popular sensory bottle to date is our Frozen-Inspired Snow Storm Sensory Bottle. Even with its popularity, many of the other sensory bottle DIYs listed below are all competing for the lead!
Homemade Sensory Bottles: Popular DIY Sensory Bottle Recipes
Click on the name of the DIY sensory bottles listed below to see the craft supply list, homemade sensory bottle recipe, and step-by-step instructions.
- Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle
- Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle
- Slow Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle
- Butterfly Sensory Bottle
- Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
- Frozen Inspired Snowstorm Sensory Bottle
- Windy Fall Leaves Sensory Bottle
- Rainbow Galaxy Sensory Bottle
- DIY Ringer Game Sensory Bottle
- Glow in the Dark Ringer Game Sensory Bottle
- Sunburst Glitter Sensory Bottle Recipe
- Glow in the Dark Sensory Bottle
- Sea Shell Sensory Bottle
- Red, White, and Blue Stars Sensory Bottle
- Glowing Ghost Sensory Bottle
- Glow in the Dark Halloween Pumpkin Sensory Bottle
- Best Sensory Bottles for Every Holiday and Season
Related: Yoga for Kids: Tips for Getting Started
1. Don’t fill your DIY sensory bottle all the way up at first.
You may find you want to add more of something. Depending on the type of sensory bottle DIY, you may want to add more glitter or pieces to your discovery bottle.
2. Don’t glue the lid shut right away.
You may find that you still want to make changes to your DIY sensory bottle mixture or solution. I know I have. First, play with your homemade sensory bottle for a day or so to make sure that you’re happy with the contents inside of it and how all of it moves through the sensory bottle DIY.
Once you are satisfied with the amount of liquid (warm water, clear glue, glitter glue, liquid handsoap, dish soap, hair gel, corn syrup, baby oil, drops of food coloring, etc.) and the amount of glitter and other items (small toys, marbles, buttons, loom bands, pom poms, mini-erasers, alphabet beads, legos, water beads, rice, sand, sequins, etc.) you can top it off, give it a shake, glue the lid shut, and hand it over to your children.
If, after playing with it for a few days, you find that you don’t want to give it up, make another one! Because it will be even easier the second time. 🙂
3. Take the air out of your homemade sensory bottle.
Many calm-down bottles work and look a lot better when you take all the air out. Oil and water sensory bottles, like this ocean sensory bottle, are fine with a little extra air in them because the air creates fun bubbles in the bottle to watch.
Conversely, viscous bottles with heavy pieces like our slow-falling hearts sensory bottle work and look best without a lot of air bubbles.
DIY Glitter sensory bottles, suck as these mermaid tail sensory bottles, also work and look a lot better when there are no bubbles or air left in the bottle.
If you want to change how fast it moves you need to add a little more clear glue, warm water, glitter, clear liquid hand soap, etc to your sensory bottle DIY depending on if you want it to move faster or slower.
Add more water if you want your sensory bottle DIY to move faster, and add clear liquid hand soap or glitter glue, or clear tacky glue if you want it to move slower.
Keep topping your sensory bottle off with more water, clear liquid hand soap, glitter glue, fine glitter, or clear glue while allowing the bubbles to rise to the top.
Once all the air has been removed, and you are happy with how it moves and the ingredients inside, you can close it up and glue it shut.
Related: Best Parenting Books
Beyond Calm Down DIY Sensory Bottles: More Self-Regulation Strategies for Kids
Below you can find more of our favorite self-regulation strategies to help keep the peace in your home or classroom. Or, learn more about self-regulation and why it matters HERE–> Self Regulation Strategies for Kids.
Books and Games That Help Kids Understand Their Feelings and Emotions
Help children learn about feelings and emotions and how to self-regulate with books, games, and fairy tales.
One of our favorite self-regulation strategies for children is to read books that help kids understand their feelings and play social-emotional development games.
Reading age-appropriate fairy tales for kids out loud can also be used as another technique to help children develop emotional self-understanding. Learn more in Fairy Tales for Kids
Yoga Practice for Kids
We also recommend helping kids learn how to self-regulate with the practice of yoga in Yoga for Kids. You may also enjoy this round-up of our favorite FREE yoga videos for kids!
Time in Nature
As a society, we suffer from nature deficit disorder. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can help us heal, and, promote health and happiness. The Japanese have named this practice forest bathing.
Get outside and connect with the kids every day to help increase the calm in your home and build mental health. For ideas, have a look at this fun collection of outdoor nature activities for kids!
Art Therapy
Another one of our favorite ways to work through emotions and learn to self-regulate is through the use of art therapy. We have lots of art and craft ideas you can try with your children.
The Power of Rhythm and Routine
We also like to keep our household calm and happy by creating a strong daily routine, and household rhythms.
Following a daily and weekly routine or rhythm can both help your household run smoothly, and keep emotional meltdowns at bay–Mom and dad included!
Click on the link to learn how to plan your daily routine and download our Free printable planner!
Related: Anger Management Books for Kids
Homemade Sensory Bottles DIY Resources
I have been having a lot of fun learning about and experimenting with all the 101 ways you can make a calm-down jar with an empty water bottle. I’ve found a few awesome resources to share with you.
Below you will find some of the most influential articles on calm-down sensory bottles that I have found. These articles will help you better understand the use of sensory bottles and how to make them. They worked for me!
Relax Bottle/Time Out Timer – My Crazy Blessed Life explains how to make and use sensory bottles as calm-down jars and timeout timers.
6 Ways to Make a Sensory Bottle — Katie from Preschool Inspirations has put together an amazing resource for putting together and troubleshooting basic glitter calm-down bottles. I refer to this one a lot.
Sensory Bottles: The What, Why, and How – Dayna from Lemon Lime Adventures is an amazing resource for all things sensory and calm-down bottles are no exception.
Related: Books that Help Teach Kids Important Life Lessons
DIY Sensory Bottles for Kids
Calm-down sensory bottles are used for portable, mess-free, “safe,” sensory play and to calm an anxious child.
An older child can examine the inner workings of the sensory bottle and the items placed inside, while a younger child can investigate items that are not yet safe for them to handle.
Make some for your kids today!
Have a look at this collection of the best sensory bottles for every holiday and season for even more sensory bottle DIY ideas!
Learn more about Rhythms of Play HERE!
Talina says
Where are the directions?
nell says
This post shares the in’s and out’s of making sensory bottles. You can find a few links to sensory bottles recipes in the middle of the page.
Kimi says
I used hair gel to slow mine down and it’s murky and won’t clear. Has this ever happened to you?
nell says
When I use hand soap or dishwashing soap the contents will be murky after the first good shake until the contents mix and settle. After that my bottles always stay clear. I have never tried hair gel to know how it reacts when mixed with water. My bottles usually clear within 24 hours. How long ago did you make it?
samantha says
Hi I am trying to figure out what the different liquids do in the bottles. what is the difference between putting dish soap, corn syrup, glue, or conditioner in the bottles. what purpose or effect do they serve?
nell says
Good question Samantha. It’s about the weight of the objects that you are using, the viscosity of the liquid, and how you want the bottle to work. If you have heavy pieces and you want them to take longer to drop, use a thick or viscous fluid such as clear hand soap. If the pieces are light you may only need water. Most items will force you to find a balance of water to hand soap to make the pieces move the way you want them to move within the sensory bottle. Conditioner wouldn’t work because it’s too opaque. You want to use translucent (see-through) liquids so you can see the objects inside. I hope that helps!
Lori says
Where do you get the bottles!
nell says
Good question Lori. I buy them at my local supermarket, but you can also find a link to purchase in all of my sensory bottle recipes.
macibonedensityyyy says
what a great/fab ideaaa!! love this. i bookmarked this page for future ref. thanks for posting this. . : : ^..^< * : : .
Michelle says
I have some VOSS bottles and am excited to use them! How did you get the labels off? Thx!
nell says
Hi, Michelle! I use Goo Gone. You can find a link in all of my sensory bottle recipes. Others have told me that olive oil works. As someone that prefers green options I gave it a try, but it did not work for me 🙁
Rhonda says
I simply perked the labels off. Very easy to do and no messy cleanup.
Rhonda says
Should have read ‘peeled off the labels’
Nell Regan says
That’s right Rhonda. The directions for each sensory bottle recommend removing the label by peeling it off and then using Goo Gone, if necessary, to remove any sticky residue left behind. Very simple process. 🙂
KW says
I use Gatorade bottles. (All sizes work)
nell says
Yes, use whatever you have. I use what needs to be re-used and recycled 😉 My husband’s work has Voss water bottles available for visiting clients so he brings them home from the recycle bin for me to use 🙂
Mónica says
Hi can I use normal plastic bottles? Thanks
nell says
Most bottles from the recycle bin will work. You can also use mason jars if you prefer to use glass. 🙂
Stephanie, One Caring Mom says
I really love this idea. I always have bottles on hand so these would be a perfect use for them.
nell says
So glad you like them. They are an excellent way to reuse bottles of all kinds depending on your preferences and needs.
Kacey says
Where did you find that little plastic alphabet??
Nell Regan M.A. says
I’m so sorry that I did not respond to your comment in a timely fashion Kacey. I found them on Amazon.
Bailey says
Hi! Do you by any chance know if the large size Voss water bottle has a larger opening or the same size opening as the standard size Voss water bottle? I bought a few things to put into a sensory bottle but they are slightly too big to fit through the opening. Thanks!
nell says
Hi Bailey!
That is a great question and I do not know the answer because I have never had the opportunity to see the lid off of one of the larger bottles. I have no idea if they are the same or not. Sorry! Let me know if you give it a try. 🙂
nataly4moms.com says
Good day, you have a very cool website!! Beautiful … Wonderful …
I’ve bookmarked your site and have subscribed also! I’m very satisfied with the numerous helpful sensory bottle DIY tips in this article, thanks for sharing it!
nell says
Hello! I’m so glad that you found the information in this sensory bottle post useful! You are very welcome!
Maida says
My kids loved these ideas!!! =) thanks the pictures were really helpful!!!
Nell Regan M.A. says
I’m so glad that your children loved these sensory bottle ideas! I’m so glad that you found them helpful! 🙂
Nell Regan M.A. says
Thanks for making my day Maida! I’m so glad that you found our sensory bottle pictures helpful. 🙂
Nicole says
I am looking for the glow in the dark fish sensory bowl/bottle that people are posting. It links to your page, but I can’t find it! Help!
Nell Regan M.A. says
Hi Nicole!
I’m so sorry that you haven’t been able to find it and it is all my fault. I put it back into drafts to fix it, and hope to have it published again soon. Do you have any questions about it in the meantime?