If you're looking for the perfect lesson to start the year off with your adapted art class then say hello to sensory bottles!
A few years ago I found an awesome tutorial from Michaela over at @especiallyeducation on Pinterest and creating them was so fun and easy!
Here are the materials you will need:
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Plastic Bottles with lid or recycled plastic VOSS water bottles
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Clear Glue or baby oil (IMO clear glue works better!)
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Water
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Assortment of fun crafty supplies to add. Some ideas are:
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Liquid watercolor
Instructions:
1. Fill the bottles up 3/4 with water and then have students squeeze enough clear glue to the top. Be sure to take the glue lid off, it's much easier to squeeze the glue in without the lid. You can also try baby oil for this but I found that I the clear glue seemed to work best!
2. Create a little "sensory bottle buffet" set up for students to add their favorite fancy goodies. Place your different bottle fillers out in containers that allow students to pinch or pour the desired supplies in their bottles.
3. Have students use funnels, paper cups, a rolled up piece of paper (to create a funnel) or really anything you think will work to pour the snazzy fillers into the sensory bottle. Of course there should be active supervision by the teachers and paraprofessionals in the room while students are adding their materials.
4. (Optional) Once all the goodies have been added, you can add a drop or two (I'm serious- just a tiny bit) of liquid watercolor or food coloring to change the color of the liquid in your bottle. Again, this is your reminder not to add too much- a little goes a LONG way. I say this step is optional because I personally like how the bottles look when left clear, but that's just me!
5. When bottles are filled and finished, hot glue the lids on to secure that all contents stay put in the bottle and wa-la! You're done! Be sure to write the students' name on their bottle (I used a silver sharpie to write on the lid).
One of the best parts about this project is that students can keep their sensory bottles with them in the classroom or wherever would be a good place for a sensory break. My kiddos used their sensory bottles all year long! I hope this blog was helpful and also you can check out the reel I created for Instagram which also shares the steps, watch it here. If you have any questions about this project, don't hesitate to reach out to me via email or my Instagram. Have fun!
2 comments
Hi I am about to do exam next month so I have to do a art bottle for Visual Arts to present to the adminster.
Ooh, nice! I never thought that bottle art could be utilized by kids who wish to get some sensory break. Let me tell my cousin about this so she can make the right purchase afterward. Her son’s birthday is next week and she plans to give him a sealife-themed present that is both practical and pretty. https://jamiedietrich.com/collections/sealife-bottles