Here’s a DIY sensory bottle filled with seashells that can help children (and adults) learn to self-regulate. (First published April 25, 2016; this post is regularly updated and republished to improve the content.)
Help calm an anxious or overwhelmed child and help kids learn to meditate and self-regulate with this easy homemade sea shell sensory bottle DIY. 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! You might also enjoy this list of DIY Sensory Bottles.
Related: Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle
How to Make a Soothing Seashell Sensory Bottle
A seashell discovery bottle is also great for no mess and 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.
Use the shells you collect on your adventures on the beach, or use the affiliate link provided in the craft supply list below to buy them on Amazon. (If you click to purchase, Rhythms of Play will earn a small commission at no extra cost.)
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 recycled water bottle (Any bottle from the recycle bin with a large enough opening to fit the seashells through will do.)
- Goo Gone
- Seashells (You can make this DIY seashell calm down jar with these craft shells and flowers with shells or shell handprint keepsakes.)
- Tap or distilled water
- Blue food coloring or liquid watercolor paint.
- Liquid hand soap
- Super glue
Related: Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
Homemade Seashell Discovery Bottle Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clean a mason jar or a water bottle from the recycle bin.
- Peel off the sticker (if any) and use Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue.
- Clean the mason jar or recycled water bottle with dish soap and water.
2. Wash the shells for the seashell sensory bottle.
- Clean, soak and rinse 1/3 – 1/2 cup of seashells so no broken shell pieces or other particles remain.
- Dirty shells make dirty seashell sensory bottles!
3. Drop the sea shells into the bottle or jar.
- Place the seashells into the mason jar or recycled bottle to start your soothing seashell discovery bottle.
4. Put water into the bottle with shells in it.
- Pour 1/3 – 1/2 cups of distilled or 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.
5. Add color to the seashell sensory bottle
- Put a drop or two of blue or aqua-blue liquid watercolor paint or blue food coloring in the seashell sensory bottle, and give it a swirl to mix in color. (We used aqua-blue to make the sensory bottle shown in the photographs.)
- Add another drop if you want more color, but be mindful not to add too much. A little liquid color goes a long way!
6. Add clear liquid hand soap to the DIY shell sensory bottle.
- Fill the calming seashell bottle up the rest of the way with clear liquid hand soap.
- Keep adding hand soap to the shell sensory bottle until the water bubbles on top overflow.
- Place the lid on the soothing sea shell sensory bottle DIY,
- Wash and wipe the bottle clean of any soapy residue.
- Give the shell sensory bottle a gentle shake to mix the water and hand soap.
- 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 below. You might also enjoy making a butterfly calm-down jar or a glittering mermaid’s tail.
Related: Slow Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle
Shell 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 how your shell calm-down jar moves and flows, fill it all the way up with water or liquid hand soap so there is no air in it. Because air, soap, and water make bubbles. This means that shaking the bottle with air can cause it to become a frothy mess.
Please be aware that this shell sensory bottle might be a bit murky until the contents mix and settle. Even when you fill it all the way up with the seashell sensory bottle recipe, the soap and water can make a few bubbles when mixed.
Once it settles and you are happy with it. Glue the lid on your seashell discovery bottle and hand it to your kids. Unless you’re keeping it for yourself, of course. 😉
For more troubleshooting tips (including everything you need to know about sensory bottles), read Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
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 and help them learn to self-regulate. 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.
And calm down jars are also a useful meditation tool for children and adults. Invite kids to watch the shells move around in the bottle for an easy way to clear their minds.
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
Hannah says
Why did you use hand soap in this instead of glue?
nell says
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 🙂
Heavy says
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?
nell says
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!
JJ says
The superglue … did I miss what its use is? Is it for sealing the lid?
Nell Regan M.A. says
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!