How to make a calming glitter bottle

A sensory glitter bottle is a great way to help calm and regulate.  Children (and adults) can experience big emotions which can become overwhelming and can impact on day to day life. Talk to your child about how they feel during these times. Maybe they feel angry, sad, frustrated or confused and their brain can feel ‘swirly’ just like a storm. 

Using a glitter bottle during these times can really help and could be used by all members of the family. Teach your child that just like their big feelings they can shake up the glitter jar and watch it swirl like a storm.  As they slowly breathe (they may need help with this) they can watch the glitter move around the jar and slowly calm and settle at the bottom, allowing them to see through the jar again. You could explain to your child that you don’t want their feelings to disappear, but we don’t want them to cloud their vision either. This mindfulness technique can really help to calm and regulate the brain and can be used anywhere, home, school, the car and even the supermarket. 

How to make a Glitter Bottle:

• Find an empty clear plastic bottle and fill with warm (not hot) water.

• You can add in as much glitter as you want.

• The more glitter the bigger the storm.

• If you want the glitter to take longer to settle you could add some glitter glue to the jar.

• You could try and add food colouring or small sequins.

• This would be a fun activity to do together with your child.

• You could glue the lid on to avoid spills.  

Lou Race
Children’s Occupational Therapist