This DIY glitter sensory bottle recipe video tutorial provides an easy way to calm an overwhelmed or anxious child. Give this gorgeous sunburst glitter sensory bottle a shake to see it swirl, sparkle, and SHINE to cheer your children up and put a smile on their face just like the sunshine on a sunny day!
For more information about sensory bottles and their uses check out Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
Related: Glittering Mermaid Tail Sensory Bottle
How to Make a Glitter Sensory Bottle
Calm down discovery jars like this sunburst sensory bottle can be used for portable no mess safe sensory play, calming an overwhelmed child, and helping children learn to self-regulate. They are just as effective for adults.
You can make this DIY glitter sensory bottle 2 ways, mix it in a 1-quart glass measuring cup before pouring it into your sensory bottle or mix it directly into the plastic bottle.
If you choose the second option, please make sure you use water that is not too hot to melt plastic. Your sensory bottle will warp and be misshapen if the water is too hot.
We have made glitter sensory bottle recipes using both techniques and have found that there are pros and cons to each method. It’s a bit messy no matter which way you try… you just can’t avoid getting a little messy when glitter is involved!
After trying it both ways, we prefer to use a measuring cup to mix our glitter sensory bottles because we can use boiling water to mix the glue and the glitter. Warm water just doesn’t mix the ingredients as well.
Using a measuring cup to mix sensory bottles also makes it easier for the little ones to help with DIY sensory bottle making. Children love to throw glitter in the measuring cup and whip it up with a whisk like a glitter soup as they wait for the water to cool enough to pour the glitter mixture into the calm down sensory bottle.
The DIY glitter sensory bottle video below the step by step directions shows how to mix it directly in the bottle, while we choose to mix our Frozen-inspired glitter sensory bottle and mermaid tail glitter sensory bottle in a quart measuring cup first before pouring it into our sensory bottle.
Try making glitter sensory bottles both ways to see which method you like best!
Related: DIY Projects for Do It Yourself Families
Sunburst Glitter Sensory Bottle Recipe Supplies
- VOSS water bottles (Any bottle from the recycle bin will work.)
- Goo Gone
- Pink
, orange, yellow, red, or gold glitter glue - Yellow liquid watercolor paint or yellow food coloring
- 1-quart measuring cup (optional)
- Whisk (optional)
- Super glue
, 
, 
, 
, or 
or 
Related: Sea Shells Calming Sensory Bottle
Glitter Supply Options:
You will need a collection of hexagon, flake and fine glitter in any combination of golds, oranges, and reds to make this sunburst DIY glitter sensory bottle recipe.
We used fine and hexagon gold glitter with flakes of orange and red, but you can choose from any of the glitter options listed below to make this DIY glitter sensory bottle.
Make sure you choose at least one of each type (hexagon, flake, and fine) and color (gold, orange and red) of glitter to make this sunburst glitter sensory bottle.
- Multi-pack of a hexagon, flake, and fine glitter
- Big hexagon glitter in gold, orange, red, or a multi-color hexagon glitter set
- Fine and flake glitter set
- Flake glitter sold separately in orange, red, or gold or flake glitter from THIS SET
- Fine glitter from THIS SET or THIS SET
Related: Rainbow Galaxy Glitter Sensory Bottle
Sunshine DIY Glitter Sensory Bottle Recipe with Step by Step Directions
- Remove Lable from Voss Water Bottle and use Goo Gone to remove any sticky residue.
- Pour 1 1/2 cups of super hot (boiling is best) water into a 1-quart measuring cup. (Or, pour hot water–not too hot or you will melt the plastic–directly into the bottle as shown in the video below.
- Squeeze 1/3 bottle (2 oz) of glitter glue or 2 oz of clear glue into the hot water in the measuring cup or directly into the sensory bottle. When we first made this glitter sensory bottle only pink and blue glitter glue was available so we used pink to make it. Today you can purchase any color of glitter glue!
- Optional – Mix glitter sensory bottle ingredients in a measuring cup with a whisk before pouring it into the sensory bottle.
- Add pinches and shakes of hexagon glitter, flake glitter, and fine glitter in color combination of choice. The hexagons and flakes give the appearance of larger sunspots and sunbursts while the flake and fine glitter fill out the body of this gorgeous glitter sensory bottle to make it look more like a shining sun. We used an assortment of golds, oranges, and reds for the glitter sensory bottle pictured.
- If you are using a measuring cup to mix your glitter sensory bottle, give it a final stir and quickly pour the mixture into your bottle. You may need to use your fingers to get some of the glitters into your bottle, but don’t worry about every last flake. Otherwise just add your glitter directly to the sensory bottle and move on to the next step.
- Add a drop or two of liquid yellow watercolor or yellow food coloring to make your sunburst sensory bottle have a yellow-orange tint like the shining sun. Be careful not to add too much, a tiny drop goes a LONG way!
- Place the lid on the glitter sensory bottle and give it a shake to see if you like it. Need more glitter or liquid watercolor? Add it in before topping it off with water.
or 2 oz of 
!
in color combination of choice. The hexagons and flakes give the appearance of larger sunspots and sunbursts while the flake and fine glitter fill out the body of this gorgeous glitter sensory bottle to make it look more like a shining sun. We used an assortment of golds, oranges, and reds for the glitter sensory bottle pictured.
or 
to make your sunburst sensory bottle have a yellow-orange tint like the shining sun. Be careful not to add too much, a tiny drop goes a LONG way!
Related: Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle
Sunburst Glitter Sensory Bottle Step By Step Video Tutorial
Related: Nature-Inspired Sensory Bottles
DIY Glitter Sensory Bottle Recipe Tips
Play with your sunburst glitter sensory bottle for a day or two. Make sure you are happy with it before gluing it shut. Need more glitter? Add more!
Want it to move a little slower? Pour out some water and add more glue or clear liquid hand soap.
For troubleshooting… Be sure to pop over to calm down sensory bottles 101 to check out all our tips.
Related: Butterfly Sensory Bottle Calm Down Jar
Calming Sunburst Glitter Sensory Bottle for Kids and Adults
Both children and adults will love this gorgeous sunburst glitter sensory bottle recipe.
Calm down bottles like this sunburst sensory bottle are most often used for portable no mess “safe” sensory play, to help calm an overwhelmed child, as a “time out” timer, or as a meditation technique for children. They are just as effective for adults.
Reading books that help children understand their feelings, playing social-emotional games, and practicing yoga are more great ways to help children learn to self-regulate.
For more information about sensory bottles and their uses check out Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
You may also like our summer bucket list seasonal activity guide. Learn more about Rhythms of Play!
The video goes too fast and I can’t see the ingredients clearly. It would help if it was captioned as to exactly what it was that is being put into the bottle. What is the first ingredient: water?? You don’t identify it. And in your article above it you mention boiled water. Is boiled, cooled water used? And in one place it is mentioned using corn syrup. And I can’t identify the last ingredient either. Please make a better video so one can see what ingredients are being used.
Hi Penny, I’m sorry that you are having trouble… but the video is meant to be a companion to the directions, not the other way around. Every question you ask is gone over in detail throughout the body of the article including the materials list and the DIY details. The text above should answer your question about water temperature. Here is a direct quote, “Pour 1 1/2 cups of super hot (boiling is best) water into a 1-quart measuring cup. (Or, pour hot water–not too hot or you will melt the plastic–directly into the bottle as shown in the video below.” In other words, use boiling water if you will be mixing your ingredients in a large glass measuring cup, otherwise, wait for the water too cool a bit so it does not melt the plastic bottle. I hope that helps!
How long does the solution stay good?
We have sensory bottles that we made 4 years ago that are still just as lovely as the day we made them. 🙂
Can gold glitter paint be used instead of glitter glue?
Hi Shereen! It might work to use gold glitter paint, give it a try and see what happens! You can always add some more glitter to the sensory bottle later.