Best Nature Sensory Bottles for Calming and Learning

Use DIY Nature-inspired discovery bottles for safe, no-mess, sensory play and as an educational teaching tool for children from infants to teens!

This list of nature sensory bottles allows babies, toddlers, and children of all ages to investigate natural materials with small parts without the risk of choking. Calm-down jars filled with natural materials and seasonal treasures can also help calm an anxious or overwhelmed child and assist older children (and adults) with a stress-relieving activity. Making DIY sensory bottles a fantastic way for all ages to learn to self-regulate.

This informative post about making discovery jars with nature’s treasures first provides step-by-step directions for making a nature sensory bottle. Next, it lists several options you can try with items found in your own backyard or out in the natural world. DIY sensory bottles can provide long hours of much-needed sensory input for children, from babies and toddlers to teens. They are often used as a sensory activity in Montessori Education and make fantastic homemade toys for young kids.

Most DIY sensory bottles on this extensive list of nature discovery bottle ideas are great, simple science learning tools for little learners at home or in the classroom. These homemade teaching aids also make excellent science discovery bottles for older children. This post was first published on May 5, 2016, and is regularly updated and republished to improve its content. For more information about sensory bottles and the many ways to use them, read Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.

What is a Nature Sensory Bottle or Calm Down Jar?

A nature sensory bottle, also known as a calm-down jar or discovery bottle, is a simple and engaging sensory tool and toy for kids that contains various natural materials with different textures, such as water, sand, rocks, shells, leaves, and other small items found in nature. It can also be a DIY sensory bottle made with items meant to resemble or mirror aspects of nature, like this snowflake snowstorm sensory bottle.

These items are combined in a transparent bottle, typically made of plastic or glass. Some nature sensory bottles and jars are filled with liquid (usually water and clear glue or oil) to create an interactive, visually appealing sensory experience, but not always, depending on the materials inside. For example, this rainstick musical nature sensory bottle does not require any fluid to make.

The primary purpose of a DIY sensory bottle filled with natural materials is to provide sensory stimulation, promote relaxation and mindfulness, and help children learn about the natural world. This makes them excellent sensory play tools and fantastic science teaching aids for children of all ages. As the bottle is tilted, shaken, or turned upside down, the items inside move and flow, creating captivating visual effects or distinctive sounds. It’s like having a mini natural world in the bottle, offering a sense of wonder and curiosity. For more hands-on learning ideas, look at these outdoor activities for kids.

How do you make sensory bottles with natural Materials?

Making DIY nature sensory bottles is a fun and creative activity for kids or adults. The process is relatively simple, and these discovery jars are easy to customize to your preferences and the natural materials available in your area. The following section details how to make a sensory bottle. Scroll past the step-by-step instructions to see several lists of gorgeous nature sensory bottle DIYs you can make.

Nature Sensory Bottle Craft Supplies:

The following list of materials contains orange Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. If you click to purchase, Rhythms of Play will earn a small commission at no extra cost to the consumer. You might also enjoy this list of natural play materials for kids.

• Clear plastic or glass bottles with a secure lid. (Empty clear plastic water bottles, spice jars, mason jars, or craft bottles work well, but we recommend using recycled materials whenever possible.)
• Natural materials and little treasures found in nature (e.g., sand, small pebbles or rocks, shells, leaves, flower petals, pinecones, acorns, feathers, dirt, etc.)
• Optional nature sensory bottle DIY materials:
  • Distilled water or clear oil (baby oil or mineral oil). But not all nature sensory bottle DIYs need fluid. For example, this rainstick does not require water or oil.
  • Goo Gone or olive oil (to remove labels and sticky residue)
  • Food coloring or liquid watercolors (for colored water) or
  • Glitter (for added visual effects)
• Super glue or hot glue (to secure the lid)
• Duct tape (optional)

How to Make a Nature Sensory Bottle: Step-by-Step DIY Instructions:

1. Collect natural materials:

• Head out into your backyard, go on a nature walk in your neighborhood, visit a park, or go on a nature hike to collect natural treasures you want to include in your sensory bottle to achieve the desired effect.
• Choose natural treasures that are small enough to fit through the bottle’s opening and will create interesting visual effects when moved inside the bottle.
• Look for visually appealing natural treasures or items that provide a valuable learning opportunity for kids.

2. Clean and dry the bottle:

• Ensure your bottle is clean and dry before starting.
• Using a damp cloth, olive oil, or Goo Gone, remove any labels and residue from a recycled bottle.

3. Add natural materials and treasures:

• Begin by placing the collected natural materials into the bottle.
• You can layer them or mix them up based on your preference.
• Experiment with different combinations to achieve the desired visual effect.

4. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water or oil (optional):

• Fill the bottle about two-thirds full with distilled water or clear oil.
  • This step is optional. Some nature sensory bottles, such as this rainstick (and other discovery jars filled with natural treasures below), do not need fluid to function correctly and are better off without water or oil.
• If you add it to a natural sensory bottle, the liquid will allow the natural materials to move, creating the sensory experience.
  • This soothing seashell discovery bottle is a great example of a sensory bottle with added fluid.

5. Add color or glitter (optional):

• Add a drop or two of food coloring and liquid watercolor paint to liquid-based bottles for extra visual appeal if desired.
  • Another option is to add glitter to liquid-based products before sealing the bottle, but this is not eco-friendly because glitter is made of microplastics.
    • Glitter is made of tiny plastic particles that do not biodegrade. It can contaminate water and soil and endanger the food chain.
• Don’t add too much color or glitter; a little goes a long way.
  • It’s easier to add more if needed than to remove the excess.
• For example, we added a drop of blue food coloring to this gorgeous nature sensory bottle filled with seashells.

6. Seal the lid:

• Once you’re satisfied with the contents and liquid, securely seal the lid onto the bottle.
• Use a hot glue gun, super glue, or another strong adhesive to prevent leaks.
• It is also optional to wrap duct tape around the lid.

7. Decorate the Bottle (optional):

• You can further personalize your DIY nature sensory bottle by decorating the outside with ribbons, stickers, or labels.

8. Shake and enjoy:

• Now, your nature sensory bottle is ready!
• Shake, tilt, and turn the bottle to see the contents move, or observe the natural materials inside, and enjoy the calming, visually captivating experience.

Please remember that adult supervision is necessary for young children using sensory bottles, especially if they are made of glass. Always ensure the lid is tightly sealed to prevent accidental spills or leaks. Additionally, be cautious when using small objects that could pose a choking hazard for young children. You might also enjoy this list of Sensory Bottles for every season and holiday.

The Best Nature Sensory Bottle Ideas For Kids:

We put this impressive collection of nature-inspired sensory bottles into different round-up categories to make this extensive list of natural calm-down jar ideas easier to navigate. First, you will find a fantastic list of naturally sourced sensory bottles made with items found in nature.

Next, we have listed a fun collection of sensory bottle biomes and fun ways for children to learn about the natural world, including a whole section of water and ocean-themed sensory bottles.

Finally, we conclude with a list of seasonal nature discovery bottles to continue your nature study adventures and science learning explorations with fun ways to learn about the seasons. For each DIY sensory bottle project tutorial, you can make your nature sensory and discovery bottles with a recycled plastic water bottle, a mason jar, or one of the other easy ideas provided below.

We hope you enjoy learning about the natural world, the environment, and our planet with this fun collection of calming and DIY science discovery bottles made with natural materials for kids (or adults)! You might also enjoy making and playing this Nature Memory Matching Game.

Naturally Sourced Sensory Bottles:

The nature discovery bottles on this list are all filled with natural materials. Each fun sensory bottle idea can offer the developing child a new learning discovery about the natural world. Babies and toddlers can use them to safely investigate small natural items without the risk of choking because they are contained inside an empty water bottle. With that said, please supervise young children as they play with natural sensory bottles to ensure they play with them safely. Check out these Nature Crafts and Art Ideas for Kids for more creative activities made with natural treasures.

• Sea Shells Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• DIY Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Homemade Ecojar | Paper Wings
• Backyard Nature Discovery Bottle | Little Bins For Little Hands
• Nature Sensory Bottle | Carrots are Orange
• A Pine Needle in a Bottle | Teach Preschool
• Pinecone and Birdseed Sensory Bottle | Teach Beside Me
• Parts of a Birds Nest in a Nature Bottle | Teach Preschool
• Calming Nature Sensory Bottle | The OT Toolbox

Related: Acorn Marble Necklaces

Nature Sensory Bottle Biomes:

Discovery bottles filled with natural items can help teach children about the planet’s biomes and the ecological region in which they live. Biomes are the largest ecological regions on Planet Earth. Each is characterized by a specific climate and the plants and animals that have adapted to the region.

There are five basic types of biomes on planet Earth, with subdivisions within a few branches to differentiate the weather and seasons or animal and plant species. Earth’s five primary biomes are listed below, and a few biome sensory bottle DIYs follow. You might also enjoy this list of Outside Activities for Kids.

Biomes of the World:

1. Aquatic (Abyssal Zone)
2. Forrest (Tropical, Temperate, Boreal, Mangrove, and Mediterranean)
3. Tundra
4. Dessert
5. Grassland

These DIY sensory bottle projects made with natures treasures offer a fun, simple teaching aid for kids to explore some of the world’s biomes and the varied terrain found on the magnificent planet Earth.

• Sensory Bottle Biomes for Kids | Parenting Chaos
• Zoology Sensory Bottles: These nature discovery bottles are not from all biomes. However, each jar can offer a fun way for young children to learn about different types of animals, areas, and environments. | The Kavanaugh Report
• Aquatic Biome Sensory Bottles—The following section lists aquatic biome and ocean-themed sensory bottles. Please scroll down to see them.

Related: Nature Crafts for Kids and Teens

Ocean-Themed Discovery Bottles:

There are many ways to make an aquatic or ocean-themed discovery or sensory bottle! Use a simple oil recipe to color water to make an ocean, or design a mini ocean exploration with everything from children’s under-the-sea toys to small seashells.

Some ocean sensory bottles can be used as a calm-down tool, while others make a fantastic educational teaching tool. They also make fun ocean-themed party favors and an easy DIY gift idea. Make an ocean-themed discovery bottle using the ideas listed below. And while you’re at it, try a few of these Under the Sea Black Glue Ocean Art Projects for Kids!

• Sea Shells Soothing Sensory Bottle DIY | Rhythms of Play
• Ocean in a Bottle | Happy Hooligans
• How to Make A Jellyfish in a Bottle | Bhoomplay
• Ocean Zones in a Jar | I Can Teach My Child
• Underwater I Spy Jars | Adventure in a Box
• Ocean Zone Discovery Jars | Edventures with Kids
• Suspended Ocean Creature Discovery Bottle | Preschool Inspirations
• Ocean and Waves Discovery Bottle | The Imagination Tree
• Glow in the Dark Ocean Bottle | Sunny Day Family
• Sea in a Bottle Baby Play Idea | Childhood 101
• Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play

Related: The Best Rock Painting Ideas for Kids

Seasonal Bottles And Weather Calm Down Jars:

Continue your nature study adventures and science learning explorations with seasonal nature sensory bottles. Discovery bottles like these make learning about the weather and the natural elements common to each season in spring, summer, winter, and fall fun. The seasonal ideas below begin with a list of weather sensory bottles.

Next, it shares four-season sensory bottles and concludes with DIY sensory bottles for each season. Like ocean discovery bottles, some seasonal sensory bottles are great for soothing and calming an overwhelmed child, while others make fantastic science learning aids.

Weather Sensory Bottles:

Learn about different types of weather with the DIY weather sensory bottles below:

• Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Windy Day Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Snowstorm Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Sunburst Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Twinkling Starry Night Sky | Rhythms of Play

DIY Four-Season Sensory Bottles:

• The Four Seasons Discovery Bottles | Sun Hats & Wellie Boots

Related: Sensory Bottles for Every Season and Holiday

Spring Flower Nature Sensory Bottles:

The spring discovery jars below are excellent sensory play toys for kids of all ages. They would also make a great addition to a botany lesson!

• Spring Sensory Bottle | Lemon Lime Adventures
• Desert Flower Discovery Bottle | Preschool Inspirations
• A Spring Flower Sensory Bottle | Kids Craft Room
• Lilac Nature Sensory Bottle | Parenting Chaos
• Fresh Flower Discovery Bottle | Little Bins for Little Hands
• Parts of a Flower Sensory Bottle | Chalk Academy

Related: Real Flower Craft Ideas

Summer Nature Sensory Bottles:

• Butterfly Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Sunburst Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• Vegetable Garden Discovery Bottle | Sunny Day Family
• Swimming Turtles Discovery Bottle | Sunny Day Family
• Citrus Themed Nature Discovery Bottle | Where Imagination Grows

Fall Nature Sensory Bottles:

• Windy Fall Leaves Sensory Bottles | Rhythms of Play
• Fall Sensory Bottle | Little Bins for Little Hands
• Leaf Sorting Sensory Bottles | Chalk Academy
• Pumpkin Patch in a Bottle | Sunny Day Family
• Halloween Pumpkin Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play

Winter Nature Sensory Bottles:

• Snowstorm Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play
• A Pine Needle in a Bottle | Teach Preschool
• Nature Sensory Bottle | Carrots are Orange
• Simple Snowman Sensory Bottle | Little Bins for Little Hands

Related: The Best Rock Painting Ideas for Kids

Nature Bottles for Kids:

This fun collection of natural sensory and discovery bottles has many purposes at home and in the classroom. They are fantastic educational teaching aids for homeschoolers and teachers, and provide a fun way for children to calm down and self-regulate. You might also enjoy this fun glow-in-the-dark ringer game sensory bottle DIY.

DIY sensory bottles made with natural and recycled materials are an excellent sensory tool for helping children (and adults) learn to calm down and unwind. Nature sensory bottles, such as those on this list, also provide an easy way for babies and toddlers to safely investigate natural materials and small items without the risk of choking. To learn more about sensory bottles and their uses, check out Calm-Down Sensory Bottles 101.

Learn more about the author Nell Regan Kartychok and Rhythms of Play HERE!

More Excellent DIY Sensory Bottles for Kids:

• Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle
• Slow Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle
• DIY Ringer Game Sensory Bottle