Today we made an ocean in a bottle as a fun after-camp activity. Since we had so much fun with watercolor pencil seashell art, we continued with the seashore theme. As you can see, books about the sea were an important addition!
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My child likes to read instructions so I wrote out the steps for putting together the sensory bottle. This is an activity that requires adult help at the onset, but the completed ocean provided much entertainment.
Later on in the afternoon we were walking back from the library and my son said he "needed to get back to his ocean in a bottle." Those words speak volumes about the success of this project!
Instructions:
Watch our video for visual instructions or scroll down for written step by step guidance.
MORE: Ocean animal finger puppets
Materials:
- Clean plastic bottle. A liter size is perfect.
- Tiny seashells and ocean animals like these; marbles are also a great addition.
- Water
- Oil. Clear oil like this is best, otherwise your ocean will be a bit yellow.
- Blue and/or green coloring.
- Tape or glue.
Step-by-step:
- Put shells and animals in plastic bottle.
- Use funnel and fill bottle half-full with water.
- Add a few drops of blue and/or green coloring.
- Pour oil in bottle an inch or so.
- Screw cap on tight (secure with glue or tape, if desired)
- Swish bottle back and forth to watch the waves!
For a different version of this kind of sensory bottle that allows kids to learn about buoyancy, make a sink or float sensory bottle.
*Note: I no longer suggest using glitter. Not only is it hard to deal with, glitter is tiny pieces of plastic that eventually end up in the tummies of birds and sea life.
Brooklyn says
I love this idea! Thanks for giving me ideas this summer!
Erica MomandKiddo says
I'm glad you like it. Have fun!
pauline mahon says
my gransons teacher suggested your web site , for my 5 year old. BRILLIENT !!!!!!!
Erica says
Thank you!
Kelly says
Would baby oil work?
Erica says
If your baby oil is mineral oil, then yes.
Sam says
We have a snow day today. One of my son's assignments is to create a model of a habitat. We have all these supplies right here at home to make this. Thanks for posting!
Elsa says
I love this! How big are the fish and sea horse? Where did you get them? Thanks!
Erica says
They are very small. I got them in a Zoob tube of sea animals at a toy store but I believe you can also get them on Amazon.
Elsa says
If anyone is looking, I found them. 🙂
Safari 100225 Good Luck Minis Fun Packs Coral Reef Minature https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077DQH6YK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jTvIDbMV7NWFJ
Alyna says
Thank you so much! Very helpful 😊
Erica says
Glad you liked it!
Aoileann Farley says
You can buy biodegradeable plastic free glitter now. I haven't tried using it in water so I'm not sure it would work.