I first found out about these DIY Shaking Bottles or sensory bottles from a stay-at-home Dad/friend, who made them for his son to enjoy. He also makes them and gives them out as gifts. I love a toddler activity that’s easy, looks great and provides opportunities for learning too!
DIY Sensory Bottles
I’ve had my eyes peeled for a number of weeks, looking for the perfect bottles to make a set of shaking bottles of our own. I finally found some at during a trip to a salvage grocery store. Whoo-hoo! Hopefully these will help entertain our youngest during a long road trip coming up.
Related: More fun activities for toddlers and babies.
Supplies you need to make your own Shaking Bottle Toddler Toy
- Some small, fun bottles
- Gorilla Glue
- a variety of “fillers”: water, food colouring, hair gel, dish soap, oils, silica balls, coloured rice, tissue paper etc.
- Collection of stuff to put in your bottles: charms, beads, glitter, small plastic toys, buttons, etc.
How to A Super Easy and Fun Sensory Bottle
Step 1
Wash out a bottle with a cap lid.
Step 2
Add the charms, beads, etc to the inside of your bottle.
Step 3
Top off your bottle with water/liquid or whatever filler you’ve chosen. Liquid and oil is always a fun combo, but using plain oil or water always works as well. Avoid anything with sugar as it will probably start molding and smelling.
Step 4
Glue the lid back on and make sure it is tight and full dried before playing.
Craft Notes For Your DIY Sensory Bottle
I had used hot glue before and rubber cement, even super glue, for our “I Spy Rice Jars”.
The problem with hot glue and rubber cement is that it is malable. The problem with super glue is its ability to crack. My son was able to open the jars given enough time and boredom (both in abundance during road trips) using all those other glues.
Gorilla Glue is really tough! So far we’ve used it to put back together magnets, plastic doll heads, toy cars, etc. Its great stuff. I think I’ve finally found a glue that works!
Our Experience With These DIY Sensory Bottles
Hand your toy to your toddler to shake, bang and bite to their hearts content! Even my older preschoolers enjoy these bottles!
We play can you find the “dime” or whatever, it is a great way to keep them active on a trip. Hopefully, these will remain in one piece.
Materials
- Some small, fun bottles
- Gorilla Glue
- a variety of “fillers”: water, food colouring, hair gel, dish soap, oils, silica balls, coloured rice, tissue paper etc.
- Collection of stuff to put in your bottles: charms, beads, glitter, small plastic toys, buttons, etc.
Instructions
- Wash out a bottle with a cap lid.
- Add the charms, beads, etc to the inside of your bottle.
- Top off your bottle with water/liquid or whatever filler you’ve chosen.
- Glue the lid back on and make sure it is tight and full dried before playing.
More Sensory Bottles And sensory Fun From Kids Activities Blog
I know these are pretty popular. Have you made one? Share yours with us in the comments, we’d love to see the ones you made!