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3 Easy DIY Rain Stick Sensory Bottles for Toddlers

ByKate Tekurio
Jump to How-To

Learn how to easily make your own rainstick with this DIY rain stick for toddlers! This is the perfect rainstick craft your kids will love to explore.

In a world filled with constant stimuli, finding moments of tranquility can be challenging.

Sensory tools, like DIY Rain Sticks, offer a simple yet effective way to promote relaxation and mindfulness.

I remember making a rain stick with toilet paper as a child and loved the sound it makes. From then on, the sound of rain always brings me peace.

I love sitting and watching the rain and I cannot sleep without rain sounds playing at night.

So I knew my toddlers would love making rain sticks too!

Rain shakers are so easy to make and would even be fun for preschoolers to make at school too.

I wanted to briefly share about the benefits of making a rainstick, along with sharing our super easy DIY rain stick craft so you can make your own!

I also give some tips and tricks to get the most out of this preschool DIY rain stick craft.

If you love making sensory bins and bottles for your toddlers, you will love all these sensory play ideas!

3 sensory bottles for rain craft

Benefits of DIY Rain Sticks

DIY rain stick crafts are so easy to make, but they are also beneficial for your little ones.

Here are a few of the benefits I’ve found from using them and letting my kids play with them:

  1. Calming Effect: Rain shakers are designed to mimic the soothing sound of falling rain.

    The rhythmic noise creates a calming environment, reducing stress and anxiety.

    The gentle sound can act as a natural stress-reliever, promoting a sense of tranquility and mental well-being.

    It’s one of the best calming sensory activities for toddlers!

  2. Sensory Stimulation: These bottles engage multiple senses, providing both visual and auditory stimuli.

    Watching the slow descent of materials and listening to the rhythmic sounds is so much fun for toddlers and adults alike.

    This stimulation can be particularly beneficial for individuals with sensory processing challenges or those on the autism spectrum.

  3. Focus and Concentration: The mesmerizing nature of Rain Stick Sensory Bottles can aid in improving focus and concentration.

    As individuals watch the materials move within the bottle, they can redirect their attention, making these bottles useful tools in various settings, including classrooms and workspaces.

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How to Make a DIY Rain Stick Sensory Bottle

Creating your own rain stick DIY is a straightforward and rewarding process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make rain sticks:

Materials Needed

Alternative fillers: Rice, other seeds, small stones, sand pebbles, etc.

materials for rain stick bottles

Instructions

  • Prepare all the materials you will use, the bottles and the DIY rainstick elements. Make sure that the bottles are dry.
  • Cut the sticks into various sizes, of course considering what the bottle can accommodate.
  • It’s now time to fill the bottles. You can put the fillers first or the sticks, up to you. I used twigs and beans with the first bottle.
  • You can add or remove some of the elements depending on your preferred sound.
  • It’ll be the same process for the second (sunflower seeds and spaghetti pasta) and third bottle (coffee beans and barbecue sticks).
  • Put on the lids tightly. If you are worried about your toddlers opening them, glue the lid.
  • Give it to your child to play with! Ask him/her to slowly tip the DIY rain stick sensory shaker from top to bottom to hear the gentle pitter-patter of rain.
Yield: 3 bottles

DIY Rain Stick

3 diy rain sticks

Materials

  • 3 small glass bottles (Any bottle that can make a nice sound for a rain bottle)
  • Dried tree twigs
  • Uncooked spaghetti pasta
  • Barbecue sticks
  • Sunflower seeds
  • White beans
  • Coffee beans
  • Strong glue

Instructions

    1. Prepare all the materials you will use, the bottles and the DIY rainstick elements. Make sure that the bottles are dry.
    2. Cut the sticks into various sizes, of course considering what the bottle can accommodate.
    3. It’s now time to fill the bottles. You can put the fillers first or the sticks, up to you. I used twigs and beans with the first bottle.
    4. You can add or remove some of the elements depending on your preferred sound.
    5. It’ll be the same process for the second (sunflower seeds and spaghetti pasta) and third bottle (coffee beans and barbecue sticks).
    6. Put on the lids tightly. If you are worried about your toddlers opening them, glue the lid.
    7. Give it to your child to play with! Ask him/her to slowly tip the DIY rain stick sensory shaker from top to bottom to hear the gentle pitter-patter of rain.

Notes

Alternative fillers: Rice, other seeds, small stones, sand pebbles, etc.

© Kate

Tips and Tricks for DIY Rain Stick Sensory Bottles

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your DIY rain shaker:

  1. Use Different Materials: Try different combinations of materials, such as varying sizes of beads, different types of glitter, or colorful sequins.

    This experimentation allows you to customize the sensory bottle to suit individual preferences.
  2. Adjust Sound Levels: To modify the sound produced by the sensory bottle, adjust the amount and the type of materials used.

    We even use this as a teaching moment and see how can make the loudest rain or the quietest rain.
long view of each rainstick

Using DIY Rain Sticks

Now that you have your homemade rain stick, here are some ways to incorporate it into your routine:

  1. Mindful Moments: Use the sensory bottle during moments of mindfulness or meditation.

    Hold the bottle and focus on the movement of the materials, allowing the rhythmic sounds to guide your breathing and promote relaxation.
  2. Stress Relief: Keep the sensory bottle on your child’s desk or in a calming place.

    When you notice your kid feeling stressed or overwhelmed, take a short break to shake and watch the bottle, providing a quick and effective stress-relief activity.
  3. Sensory Integration: For individuals with sensory processing challenges, incorporate the sensory bottle into sensory integration activities.

    The visual and auditory stimuli can help regulate sensory input.
  4. Classroom or Group Settings: Teachers can use these rain shakers in the classroom to help students refocus and relax.

    The calming effect can be particularly beneficial during transitions or after high-energy activities.

If you love making sensory bins and bottles for your toddlers, you will love all these sensory play ideas!

Rain Stick DIY FAQs

What is the best filler for a rain stick?

The nice thing about making your own rain stick is that you can find so many great fillers! Some of the best filler for a rain stick includes beans, pasta, sticks, rice, pebbles, etc.

What do they make rain sticks out of?

You can make rain sticks out of just about anything! Many recipes call for a toilet paper roll, PVC pipe, but I found great success with glass bottles. Plastic bottles like a VOSS bottle might work too.

How to Make a Rainstick Wrap-Up

Now you know how to make rainsticks! A DIY rain stick is one of the best sensory bottles to keep around the house.

It is so calming and your toddlers will love to make it together with you!

So, grab a bottle, get creative, and enjoy this calm rain stick craft!

Check out other fun sensory bottle ideas:

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