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Super Easy DIY Rainbow Rice I Spy Sensory Bottle

ByKate
Jump to How-To

Make this super fun I spy sensory bottle for your kids for some easy learning activities you can use time and time again for some fun sensory play! Best part is that it requires no water at all!

Are you looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your kids? Look no further than the DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle! This craft project is perfect for children of all ages and is a great way to help them develop their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and creativity.

In this article, I will show you how to make a I spy bottle DIY step-by-step, as well as provide some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of this fun and engaging activity.

Kids love the I spy game, plus these I spy bottles are super easy to make and will last you a lifetime!

I spy sensory bottle pin image

What is a sensory bottle? 

A sensory bottle is a clear plastic bottle that is usually filled with small objects and liquid, such as rice, beads, glitter, or other small toys. The bottle is then sealed tightly, creating a fun and engaging toy that provides visual and tactile stimulation for children.

Sensory bottles are often used in educational and therapeutic settings to help children develop their motor skills, cognitive abilities, and creativity. They are also great for calming and soothing children who are anxious or overstimulated.

I Spy Sensory Bottles Benefits

All sensory bins and other sensory activities are so beneficial for your little ones, for both their mental and physical health.

These I spy jars offer numerous benefits for children as well.

I spy sensory bottle with letter U showing

Some of the key benefits are:

  1. Development of fine motor skills: Sensory bottles can help children develop their fine motor skills as they manipulate and grasp the bottle. A letter sensory bin is great for this too!
  2. Hand-eye coordination: As children watch the objects move and shift within the bottle, they develop their hand-eye coordination skills.
  3. Visual tracking: Sensory bottles provide visual stimulation and can help children practice tracking and following objects with their eyes. This I spy craft is just one of the many discovery bottles for toddlers to do this.
  4. Cognitive development: The act of searching for specific objects within the sensory bottle can help children develop their cognitive abilities, including memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. This is why these I spy bottles for preschoolers are the perfect learning tool for homeschoolers! Even if your toddler is not reading yet, this craft is still beneficial for teaching and remembering the letters.
  5. Calming and soothing: Sensory bottles can be used as a calming tool for children who may be experiencing anxiety or overstimulation.
  6. Fun and engaging: Sensory bottles can provide hours of fun and entertainment for children of all ages, and can be customized to include different objects, colors, and themes.

Overall, I Spy Sensory Bottles are a versatile and effective tool for children’s development and entertainment.

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How to Make a DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle

Making I spy bottles for kids is super easy and inexpensive, and requires only a few simple materials, most items you probably already have at home! Here’s what you’ll need:

Supplies:

Ingredients for I spy bottle

Sensory Bottle Instructions :

  1. Measure out equal amounts of rice and place into small sandwich bags that can be sealed. Add about 25-30 drops of food coloring. Mix the rice around in the bag until all of it is colored. Place on a cookie sheet that is covered in parchment paper and bake in the oven at 220 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Let dry.
  2. Once completely dry, alternate pouring the rainbow rice and adding the alphabet scrabble tiles into the bottle. I left about an inch and a half to 2 inches at the top so there was enough room for the pieces to move around.
adding in materials for sensory bottle
  1. Seal the top with either E6000 or crazy glue.

Notes:

  • You can also use alphabet beads, but they might be harder for toddlers to see the letters clearly.
  • This small activity can be done with or without your kids. You can make it together or have it ready for them to go.
  • For some other I spy bottle ideas, try hiding animals, flowers, or smaller items to have your child find them too!
  • You can use water bottle, plastic bottles made for sensory play (like these) or even glass jars. Use what you have and what best works for your toddlers.
I spy sensory bottle

Tips and Tricks for Using a DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your DIY I spy sensory bottle for toddlers:

1. Make it educational

Incorporate learning into playtime by asking your child to identify each letter in the bottle and see if they can tell you the sound of each letter too!

2. Take it on the go

DIY I Spy Sensory Bottles are the perfect travel companion for long car rides or flights. They are easy to transport and provide endless entertainment for your child.

Close up I spy jar

3. Change it up

To keep things interesting, periodically switch out the objects in the bottle or add new ones sensory bottles.

4. Encourage exploration

Encourage your child to explore the bottle by shaking it, turning it upside down, and watching the objects move around. This will help develop their motor skills and hand-eye coordination. With this bottle specifically, you can also encourage your child to listen to the sound the rice makes as it goes up and down too.

5. Customize it to your child’s interests

If your child loves sea animals or unicorns, incorporate those interests into the objects in the bottle. This will make the activity even more engaging and enjoyable for them.

Yield: 1 bottle

I Spy Sensory Bottle

I spy sensory bottle

Make this super fun I spy sensory bottle for your kids for some easy learning activities you can use time and time again for some fun sensory play! Best part is that it requires no water at all!

Materials

  • Voss water bottle (the large one) with the label removed
  • Rainbow dyed rice
  • Alphabet scrabble tiles
  • E6000 glue or crazy glue

Instructions

  1. Measure out equal amounts of rice and place into small sandwich bags that can be sealed. Add about 25-30 drops of food coloring. Mix the rice around in the bag until all of it is colored. Place on a cookie sheet that is covered in parchment paper and bake in the oven at 220 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Let dry.
  2. Once completely dry, alternate pouring the rainbow rice and adding the alphabet scrabble tiles into the bottle. I left about an inch and a half to 2 inches at the top so there was enough room for the pieces to move around.
  3. Seal the top with either E6000 or crazy glue.

Notes

  • You can also use alphabet beads, but they might be harder for toddlers to see the letters clearly.
  • This small activity can be done with or without your kids. You can make it together or have it ready for them to go.
  • For some other I spy bottle ideas, try hiding animals, flowers, or smaller items to have your child find them too!
  • You can use water bottle, plastic bottles made for sensory play or even glass jars. Use what you have and what best works for your toddlers.

© Kate

I Spy Sensory Bottle FAQS

Can I use anything other than rice or beads in my DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle?

Yes! You can use a variety of small objects, such as small toys, buttons, or even glitter. Just make sure that the objects are small enough to fit through the opening of the bottle.

How do I know if my DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle is sealed properly?

If you use E6000 glue, it should be sealed properly and when you hold it upside down, it shouldn’t leak or spill out at all.

How can I customize my DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle?

You can customize your DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle by using different colors, objects, and fillers. You can also add glitter or other embellishments to make your sensory bottle unique.

Are DIY I Spy Sensory Bottles safe for children to play with?

DIY I Spy Sensory Bottles can be safe for children to play with, as long as they are made with non-toxic materials and are supervised by an adult. Make sure that the bottle is sealed tightly with strong glue to prevent any small objects from escaping and becoming a choking hazard.

I Spy Sensory Bottle Wrap-Up

A DIY I Spy Sensory Bottle can provide hours of fun and educational entertainment for children of all ages.

I spy kid stuff can be a great tool for children to develop their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, visual tracking, and cognitive abilities.

Make one today and enjoy hours of endless fun and learning for your toddler!

Learn how to make other fun DIY dyed sensory materials

Check out other fun sensory bottle ideas:

If you want another rainbow activity, check out this pasting and cutting rainbow craft for kids or rainbow sensory bin too!

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