Calm down sensory bottle

Oil and colored water sealed in a bottle that swirls slowly when tipped, a good thing to hold on a hard day.

LevelBeginner

AgesAges 1 to 3

Time15 minutes plus glue setting

Cost$2 to $4

Low mess Dollar store

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

1 clear plastic bottle, about 16 ouncesFind it →
Water
Vegetable oil
Food coloringFind it →

Tools

FunnelFind it →
Super glue (grown-up use)Find it →
Electrical tapeFind it →

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How to make it

Safety

Check the cap before every play. Oil is slippery if it leaks.

1
Add the water
Fill the bottle halfway with water. Add 2 drops of color.
2
Add the oil
Fill the rest with oil, leaving 1 inch of air at the top.
3
Seal the cap
Grown-up step: Run glue around the threads and twist the cap on tight. Let it set 1 hour.
4
Tape it
Wrap tape around the cap for a second seal.
5
Tip and watch
Show your toddler how to tip it slowly and watch the blobs slide.

Edie's tip

Keep it in a quiet corner for when they need a minute.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

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