Learn how to make a windy fall leaves sensory bottle for your children to enjoy.
Learn how to make a fall leaves sensory bottle for children with the simple step-by-step instructions below. Tipping this fall-themed DIY sensory bottle from top to bottom produces a wind that blows the fall leaves and keeps each autumn leaf in constant motion.
DIY Calm down jars are great for no mess, safe sensory play, make an excellent timeout tool, science teaching aid, and help children (and adults) calm down and unwind. This fall leaf discovery bottle is also a perfect tool for teaching children about the wind and the changing seasons. For more information about sensory bottles and their uses, check out Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
How to Make a Sensory Bottle with Fall Leaves
Gather supplies and follow the easy step-by-step directions below to make your windy fall leaves calm down jar.
Related: Fall Leaves Watercolor Art
DIY Windy Fall Leaves Sensory Bottle Materials
- Quart mason jar
or recycled water bottle from the recycle bin - Goo Gone
- Fall leaves
- Gold glitter (optional)
- Corn syrup
- Superglue
- Duct tape
(optional)
Related: Fall Leaf Art
Fall Leaf Discovery Bottle Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – Recycle a bottle
Grab a Quart mason jar or a bottle out of the recycle bin and peel the sticker off. (If needed, use Goo Gone
to remove sticky residue from the recycled bottle.)
Step 2 – Add fall leaves
Add 10-20 acrylic fall leaves
. We used primarily red and yellow autumn leaves with a few green leaves thrown in for good measure.
Step 3 – Fill bottle 2/3 with corn syrup
Fill the Voss bottle two-thirds of the way up with corn syrup
.
Step 4 – Add gold glitter (optional)
Sprinkle in a few shakes of gold glitter
. Start with a small amount; you can always add a bit more.
Step 5 – Fill the remainder of the sensory bottle with water
Fill the discover bottle up the rest of the way with water. The idea is to fill it to the top of the calm down jar so that no air is left.
Step 6 – Put the lid on your fall-themed sensory bottle
Place the lid on the DIY sensory bottle and shake it up, but don’t glue it yet. This fall sensory bottle DIY may be a bit clumpy and murky for a few hours until the contents of your fall sensory bottle mix and settle. So instead, please have a look at the sensory bottle troubleshooting tips below before you glue it shut.
Related: Fun Autumn Activities for Kids
Related: Rainstick Musical Sensory Bottle
Fall Leaves Calm Down Jar Trouble Shooting Tips
Play with your fall leaves DIY sensory bottle for a day or two to make sure you like how the autumn leaves move. If you want the fall leaves to move faster, pour some liquid out and add more water.
Want the fall leaves to move slower? Pour some of the liquid out and add more corn syrup. Want more glitter? Add some more!
When you are happy with it, put some superglue around the inside rim of the lid and then glue it shut.
Wrap duct tape
around the lid and bottle for a little extra security if you’d like. Sensory bottle lids tend to break when little ones try to open them when glued shut.
Related: The Best Fall Art Projects for Kids
Windy Fall Leaves Discovery Bottle Science Lesson
Add in a science lesson; explain how the wind moves from an area of low pressure to high pressure. Then, use this autumn sensory bottle to help teach children about fall leaves and wind as they play!
When the bottle is tipped from top to bottom, the fall leaves move from top to bottom to produce the appearance of wind blowing from high to low. Learning is fun!
Related: Human Sundial Shadow Science Experiment
Related: Fall Leaf Lacing Beginning Sewing Project for Kids
Windy Fall Leaf Calm Down Sensory Bottle
Like this windy fall leaf sensory bottle, Calm down sensory bottles are great for safe no mess sensory play, a science teaching aid, and to help children (and adults) calm down and unwind.
Discovery bottles are also the perfect way for babies and toddlers to safely investigate small items like these beautiful autumn leaves without the risk of choking on them. You can even use this fall sensory bottle to help teach about the wind and changing seasons.
Learn more about DIY sensory bottles, their uses, how to make them, and more troubleshooting tips in Calm Down Sensory Bottles 101.
Don’t forget to check out our Fall Bucket List for the Best Autumn EVER!
More DIY Fall Sensory Bottles
- Football | Sunny Day Family
- Learn to Spell Your Name | Preschool Inspirations
- Glow in the Dark Jack o’ Lantern
- Glowing Ghost Sensory Bottle
More Fall Crafts:
More DIY Sensory Bottles
- Sunburst DIY Sensory Bottle
- Glow in the Dark Ringer Game Sensory Bottle
- Rainbow Galaxy Sensory Bottle
- Nature-Inpired Sensory Bottles
Do you have an alternative for corn syrup that I could use?
Yes Sarah. You can use clear liquid dish soap or clear liquid hand soap. If you use dish soap you will probably not need any water. Use all dish soap. If you use hand soap you will probably only need 1/4 to 1/2 hand soap, and 1/2 to 3/4 water. I hope that makes sense!
Hi, this is Veronika of Toddleratplay.com. Could I use this post in my roundup? I love it.
Hi Veronika! I would love for you to feature this post in your round-up, thank you for asking!