Easy DIY Ocean Sensory Bottle for Kids
Going to the beach is one of the ultimate sensory experiences. The smell of the ocean water, feel of the sand on your toes, and calming sight of the waves all come together for a super relaxing sensory experience. If you can’t be at the beach, or are anxiously counting down the days until your next trip, learning How to Make Your Own Ocean Sensory Bottle is a great way to bring the amazing ocean wave sensory experience into your home or classroom!
Recommended Grade Level:
Ocean Sensory Calm Down Bottle Supplies:
- 1 clear, empty 2 liter plastic bottle
- 1 bottle of vegetable oil
- 1 bottle of water
- blue food coloring
- strong tape
- funnel
- small ocean animal figurines
This ocean sensory bottle also doubles as a fun science experiment for your children!
What Are Sensory Bottles?
sensory bottles for kids
Sensory bottles, also called calm down bottles and discovery bottles, are a fun and easy sensory play idea for children.
Sensory bottles are typically clear bottles filled with clear liquids (water, baby oil, clear glue, etc…) and small eye catching craft supplies like glitter, confetti, pom poms, and other small toys.
Options are really limitless when it comes to creating sensory bottles!
Adding alphabet beads is one fun way to add an educational twist to your sensory bottle.
We also love adding small animal figurines to our bottles like we did in this adorable turtle themed sensory bottle!
Why Homemade Sensory Bottles Are Great:
Sensory bottle DIY activities are awesome for so many reasons!
Cheap and Easy
Calm down jars and sensory bottles are easy and inexpensive to make.
Upcycle
Most sensory bottle materials are ones you likely already have lying around your house.
Making easy sensory bottles is a great way to recycle old bottles.
Soothing
Sensory bottles (also known as calm down jars) are a really good way to help calm down or soothe an upset child.
Perfect for Babies and Toddlers
Containing sensory materials in a bottle instead of using a sensory play table is perfect for babies and toddlers who may try to put the materials in their mouths. Bottles provide a wonderful sensory experience for children that fit perfectly into their hands!
How To Make Your Own Sensory Bottles:
Learning how to make calm down sensory bottles is super simple and fun. Just gather your materials and your little helpers and you are ready to go!
Materials needed for this Ocean Sensory Bottle:
- 1 clear, empty 2 liter plastic bottle
- 1 bottle of vegetable oil
- 1 bottle of water
- blue food coloring
- strong tape
- funnel
- small ocean animal figurines
How To Do This Activity:
Make sure your 2 liter plastic bottle is clean on the inside and put the funnel at the top.
Fill the bottle half way full with water and add 5 drops of blue food coloring.
Gently shake the bottle to mix the water and food coloring.
Using the funnel, fill the bottle up the remainder of the way with vegetable oil.
Put the lid on, screw it tight, and use the tape to secure the lid. You can also use hot glue to secure the lid if you prefer.
Shake the contents of the bottle and watch as the oil and water sensory bottle mixes together and then separates.
Other Ideas For Your Ocean Themed Sensory Bottle:
- If you don’t have a 2 liter bottle, use a smaller bottle like a clear Voss water bottle to create a smaller ocean in a bottle.
Extend the Activity:
Personalize the Sensory Bottle
Decorate the outside of your bottle with ocean stickers.
Explore Texture
Glue small sea shells to the outside of your bottle to add a texture to the outside.
Pretend Play
Give the ocean bottle and some small ocean animal figurines to your child and let their imagination go wild with some creative pretend play.
Science Exploration
Work on moving the bottle in different ways and see how it affects the liquid. What happens when you try rocking the bottle slowly and then quickly? Side to side and then up and down? Spinning it around?
Experiment with Fillers
Try making a different calm down jar with oil, clear glue, water, glitter, or other fun materials.
Learn More About Density
Tie in this activity with a science density lesson!
Two fun activities that explore density are:
More Sensory Bottles You’ll Love:
Looking For More Sensory Bottles?
Looking For Easy Ocean Ideas?
- Ocean, Sand, and Seashell Sensory Bin
- Ocean Theme Preschool Lesson Plans
- Fish in the Ocean Sensory Bin
- Ocean Counting Grids
- Ocean I Spy Counting Printable
Search All Activities
Looking for more? Find exactly what you need here:
