Here’s a DIY sensory bottle filled with seashells that can help children (and adults) learn to self-regulate.
Help calm an anxious or overwhelmed child and help kids learn to self-regulate with this easy homemade sea shell sensory bottle DIY. You might also enjoy this list of DIY Sensory Bottles.
The gentle motion of the slow-falling sea shells can relieve anxiety and help children learn to meditate as they swirl and float to the bottom of this homemade calm-down jar. Make a soothing sea shells sensory bottle today!
Related: Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle
How to Make a Soothing Seashell Sensory Bottle
A seashell discovery bottle is also great for no mess safe sensory play. This soothing sea shell sensory bottle is a simple way to allow babies and toddlers to investigate shells without the risk of choking on them.
For more information about sensory bottles and their uses, check out Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
Slow Falling Sea Shells DIY Calm Down Jar Supplies
- Mason jar
or water bottle (Any bottle from the recycle bin will do!) - Goo Gone
- Sea shells (Make a seashell calm down jar, a few of these shell flowers, and shell handprint keepsakes.
- Water
- Blue food coloring or liquid watercolor paint.
- Liquid hand soap
- Super Glue
or 
or 
Related: Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
Homemade Seashell Discovery Bottle Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1 – Grab a mason jar or a water bottle from the recycle bin
- Clean mason jar or recycled bottle.
- Peel off the sticker, if needed, and use Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue.
to remove any sticky residue.Step 2 – Clean sea shells for the seashell sensory bottle
- Clean, soak and rinse 1/3 – 1/2 cup of seashells so there are no broken shell pieces or other particles remaining.
- Dirty shells make dirty seashell sensory bottles!
Step 3 – Put the sea shells In the bottle
- Place the seashells into the mason jar or recycled bottle to start your soothing seashell discovery bottle.
Step 4 – Add water to the bottle with Sea Shells
- Pour 1/3 – 1/2 cup of tap water into the mason jar or recycled bottle.
- More water will make the seashells move faster, while less water will make the seashell sensory bottle move slower.
Step 5 – Add color to the seashell sensory bottle
- Drop a couple of drops of aqua-blue liquid watercolor paint and blue food coloring in the seashell sensory bottle, and give it a swirl to mix in color.
- Be mindful not to add too much–a little color goes a long way!
and blue 
in the seashell sensory bottle, and give it a swirl to mix in color. Step 6 – Add clear liquid handsoap
- Fill the seashell calming seashell bottle up with clear liquid hand soap.
- Place the lid on the soothing sea shell sensory bottle DIY and shake it up.
- It may be a bit murky for a few hours until the contents mix and settle.
. Before making this seashell bottle craft, read through the homemade sensory bottle troubleshooting tips in the next section.
Related: Slow Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle
Discovery Bottle DIY Tips
Play with the seashell bottle craft for a day or two to ensure you like how fast the seashells move.
If you want the shells to move a little faster, add a bit more water. If you want them to move slower, add a little more clear liquid hand soap to your seashell sensory bottle.
When you are happy with the way your shell calm down, the jar moves; fill it all the way up with water or liquid hand soap so there is no air in it.
Air, soap, and water make bubbles. If you shake it up with air, it will become a frothy mess that may never settle.
Even when you fill your sensory bottle all the way up with the seashell sensory bottle recipe, it may be a bit murky until the contents mix and settle.
For more troubleshooting tips, including everything you want to know about sensory bottles, pop over to read Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
Glue the lid on your seashell discovery bottle and hand it to your kids. Unless you’re keeping it for yourself, of course. 😉
Related: Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle
Soothing Sea Shells Sensory Bottle Calm Down Jar for Kids (and adults)
Sensory bottles, like this seashell sensory bottle, can be used to help soothe a child when they feel overwhelmed. Even an anxious adult can benefit from the soothing quality of this seashell sensory bottle.
Learn more about helping kids calm down and learn to self-regulate HERE.
Discovery bottles are also great for no-mess-safe sensory play. For example, they are the perfect way for babies and toddlers to safely investigate small objects like shells without the risk of choking on them.
For more information about sensory bottles, their uses, how to make them, and more… Check out Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
More DIY Calm Down Jars
- Best DIY Sensory Bottles for Every Holiday and Season
- Butterfly Sensory Bottle
- Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle
- Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
- Red, White, and Blue Stars Sensory Bottle
- Vegetable Garden Discovery Bottle | Sunny Day Family
- Desert Flower Discovery Bottle | Preschool Inspirations
- Simple Spring Nature Sensory Bottles | Lemon Lime Adventures
- Calming Nature Sensory Bottle | Sugar Aunts
- Spring Backyard Nature Discovery Bottle | Little Bins For Little Hands
- Mermaid Tail Glitter Sensory Bottle
Why did you use hand soap in this instead of glue?
Good question Hannah! Glue is generally used in glitter bottles to help the glitter suspend and swirl. For other bottles with heavier pieces like this, you can use either clear hand soap, or clear dishwashing soap to make the water more viscous to slow the shells down. Clear hand soap is thicker so you will need to balance it with water, while dishwashing soap will need less water if any. I hope that makes sense. Feel free to use the contact button above if you need any more help 🙂
I’m thinking of doing this activity at a party that is only 3 hours long, so I don’t want this beautiful craft to be murky during the party. Can you mix the water and soap ahead of time for 10 children and then let them pour the mixture into their bottles all at once?
In my mind’s eye, it sounds possible. Just make sure you fill each bottle up to the top before you put the cap on and it just might work. Let me know how it goes!
The superglue … did I miss what its use is? Is it for sealing the lid?
Yes, JJ! The glue is for sealing the lid shut once you are satisfied with your sensory bottle DIY. I’m sorry that I did not make that clear!