Learn everything there is to know about calm down DIY sensory bottles!
DIY Sensory bottles can be a useful calming tool for anxious children with sensory needs and sensitivities, and kids that need help with self-regulation skills.
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 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.
A DIY calm down sensory bottle is most often used to help calm a child when their emotions become overwhelming.
When you have a child with sensory sensitivities, DIY calm down sensory bottles become commonplace in the home.
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.
They work wonders for adults too! I have a few DIY sensory bottles sitting on my desk to help me calm down, alleviate anxiety, focus, and help clear away writers’ 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.
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!
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.
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 bottle, 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. I know I have.
Play with your sensory bottle for a day or so to make sure that you’re happy with it. Then you can top it off, glue the lid shut, and hand it over to your children.
You may find that you don’t want to give it up. If that’s the case make another one–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 in a bottle, are fine with a little extra air in them because the air creates fun bubbles in the bottle to watch, while 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, like our mermaid tail sensory bottle, 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 or a little more glue, water, glitter, or hand soap etc to your sensory bottle DIY. Add more water if you want your sensory bottle DIY to move faster, and add clear liquid handsoap orglitter 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, or tacky 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 amounts of ingredients inside, you can close it up and glue it shut.
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.
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.
I have been having a lot of fun learning about and experimenting with all the 101 ways you can make a sensory 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 timer.
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.
Calm down sensory bottles are used for portable no mess “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.
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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?
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?
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!
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 🙁
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. 🙂
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 🙂
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!
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. 🙂
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!
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?
Where are the directions?
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.
I used hair gel to slow mine down and it’s murky and won’t clear. Has this ever happened to you?
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?
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?
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!
Where do you get the bottles!
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.
what a great/fab ideaaa!! love this. i bookmarked this page for future ref. thanks for posting this. . : : ^..^< * : : .
I have some VOSS bottles and am excited to use them! How did you get the labels off? Thx!
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 🙁
I simply perked the labels off. Very easy to do and no messy cleanup.
Should have read ‘peeled off the labels’
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. 🙂
I use Gatorade bottles. (All sizes work)
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 🙂
Hi can I use normal plastic bottles? Thanks
Most bottles from the recycle bin will work. You can also use mason jars if you prefer to use glass. 🙂
I really love this idea. I always have bottles on hand so these would be a perfect use for them.
So glad you like them. They are an excellent way to reuse bottles of all kinds depending on your preferences and needs.
Where did you find that little plastic alphabet??
I’m so sorry that I did not respond to your comment in a timely fashion Kacey. I found them on Amazon.
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!
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. 🙂
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!
Hello! I’m so glad that you found the information in this sensory bottle post useful! You are very welcome!
My kids loved these ideas!!! =) thanks the pictures were really helpful!!!
I’m so glad that your children loved these sensory bottle ideas! I’m so glad that you found them helpful! 🙂
Thanks for making my day Maida! I’m so glad that you found our sensory bottle pictures helpful. 🙂
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!
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?