Make a jack-o-lantern Halloween sensory bottle this October. What a calming addition to your Halloween activities for preschoolers!
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Any time is a good time for a discovery bottle, right? Right!
Sensory bottles are great to keep in your classroom, or at home, throughout the year. They are so easy to swap out based on the changing seasons, holidays, or themes.
Discovery bottles can help children explore a variety of early learning concepts. They can also serve as effective tools to help children with self-regulation.
So this fall, swap out your everyday calm down bottles for these Halloween-themed jars.
Halloween Sensory Bottle
As I mentioned above, I like changing up the discovery bottles that are available throughout the year.
Sometimes they’re just generally fun sensory jars. But other times, it’s fun to relate them to preschool themes, holidays, seasons, or the kids’ specific interests.
Obviously, this one would be perfect around Halloween! But I know many children who would appreciate it year-round.
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Related: Sunken Treasure Pirate Sensory Bottle
Materials for a Jack-O-Lantern Discovery Jar
Before we jump into making the Halloween calm down bottle, let’s talk ingredients.
Here’s what we used:
- 32 ounce plastic jar
- 10 ounces clear Elmer’s glue
- Plastic jack-o-lanterns
- Black sequins
- Orange sequins
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Related: Corn Sensory Bottle with Rainbow Popcorn Kernels
The plastic jack-o-lanterns were picked up at a local craft store. If you can’t find them, try adding some small plastic pumpkins. Even if you leave them out, the jars will be just as fun.
You can also switch things up a bit if you’d like. For example, add some purple sequins or some small plastic ghosts. Whatever sounds good to you!
How to Make a Halloween Sensory Bottle
The children can definitely help with every step of this process. Just make sure to keep an eye on them and assist as needed.
Start off with a clean and dry plastic sensory bottle or jar. Make sure that all of your materials can fit through the top of whatever bottle you choose.
Pour the glue into the bottle. If you’re using a smaller jar, you might want to use less glue.
Next, pour the sequins right on top of the glue.
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Then, place your mini jack-o-lanterns into the jar.
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Related: Pumpkin Geoboard STEM activity
Fill the rest of the bottle up with clean water.
Put the top on the jar. If you work with young children, I highly recommend gluing or taping the top shut (if only for your peace of mind)!
Then it’s time to shake up the Halloween sensory bottle! Let the children watch as the sequins and pumpkins settle.
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Related: Halloween Art Activities with Coffee Filters
I have found that the kids enjoy looking at these bottles in direct sunlight. They love the way the light reflects off the sequins. It makes such a fascinating effect, both within the bottle and on nearby surfaces.
Keep the jar in your sensory or calm down centers so the kids have access to it when needed.
More Halloween Sensory Bottle Ideas
Now that you’ve seen our jack-o-lantern sensory bottle, here are a few more Halloween-themed discovery jars for you.
It doesn’t hurt to have a few more choices, right?
Spider Glow in the Dark Sensory Bottle
Spider Themed Sensory Bottle Ideas
Candy Corn Discovery Bottle from Preschool Inspirations
Monster Eyes Sensory Bottle from The Soccer Mom Blog
Waterbeads Jack-O-Lantern Bottle from Teach Me Mommy
The only problem is trying to figure out which one to make first!
Done-For-You Preschool Resources
This Halloween sensory bottle is so much fun to put together with your students. But sometimes, the stress from all the planning can interfere with some of that fun.
Preschool Teacher 101 wants to help make time for you to enjoy those hands-on activities with your students . . . with amazing lesson plans that even include coordinating printables.
Click on the links below to learn more about each resource.
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Be sure to check out all of the other amazing resources while you’re there! Preschool Teacher 101 has wonderful variety in topics and lesson ideas.
Halloween Books for Kids
I love reading books to kids, what about you?
So of course I had to pick out a few pumpkin and Halloween books for you. They’d be perfect to read to your preschoolers after making the Halloween sensory bottle.
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