If you’re looking for a simple, low-prep sensory activity that actually holds your toddler’s attention, these bubble wand sensory bottles are it. It takes something you probably already have (bubble wands!) and turns it into a calming, glittery sensory tool kids love to shake, watch, and explore.
This is one of those activities that feels a little magical—but is incredibly easy to make.
Materials
- Empty bubble wands (cleaned and dried)
- Clear liquid glue (fill about 1/4 of the bottle)
- Warm water
- Glitter (any color or mix you like)
- Duct tape or strong glue (to seal)
How to Make Bubble Wand Sensory Bottles
- Start by removing any leftover bubble solution and rinsing out your bubble wands. Let them dry completely.
- Next, fill each wand about 1/4 of the way with clear glue. This is what gives that slow, mesmerizing glitter movement toddlers love.
- Add a generous sprinkle of glitter. You can keep it simple with one color or mix a few for a more layered look.
- Then, carefully fill the rest of the bottle with warm water, leaving a tiny bit of space at the top. Warm water helps the glue and glitter combine more smoothly.
- Secure the lid tightly. For toddler use, this step matters—add duct tape around the seal or use a strong glue to make sure it stays closed.
- Give it a shake, and you’re done.
Why Toddlers Love Bubble Wand Sensory Bottles
This sensory bottle is all about movement and visual calm. When toddlers shake it, the glitter swirls and slowly settles, creating a soothing, almost hypnotic effect.
It’s great for:
- Quiet time
- Calming big feelings
- Independent play
- Visual sensory exploration
And because it’s handheld and lightweight, it’s perfect for little hands to carry around.
Easy Ways to Change It Up
Once you make one, you’ll probably want to make more (trust me).
Try:
- Different glitter colors for seasonal themes
- Adding a drop of food coloring to tint the water
- Mixing chunky and fine glitter for more texture
- Making a set with different colors for sorting and matching
It’s such an easy base activity that you can adapt it again and again.
Bubble Wand Sensory Bottles FAQs
- What age is this sensory bottle best for?
This is perfect for toddlers (around 1–3 years old), but older kids enjoy it too. Always supervise younger toddlers since it contains small materials inside.
- Do I have to use clear glue?
Clear glue works best because it lets the glitter show and creates that slow, calming movement. White glue will make the bottle cloudy.
- How do I make sure it doesn’t leak?
Tighten the lid as much as possible, then seal it with duct tape or a strong glue. This step is important, especially for younger toddlers who love to twist lids.
- Can I use cold water instead of warm water?
You can, but warm water helps the glue mix more smoothly and reduces clumps.
- How long does it last?
These sensory bottles last a long time when sealed properly. You can keep them for weeks or even months as part of your rotation of toddler activities.
This bubble wand sensory bottle is one of those simple wins—easy to make, low mess, and actually engaging for toddlers. It’s the kind of activity you’ll come back to again and again.
Play2Learn Toddler & Preschool Programs for Curious Toddlers
There is no limit to your toddler’s energy and curiosity. That energy and curiosity although a joy can be challenging at times. Their interest in just about everything around them is what makes them great learners. One and two year olds can soak up so much just from their senses!
But as a teacher or parent that thirst for learning can be exhausting. That is why I created this toddler and preschooler program. To help you get the most out of this time with your curious toddler without having to come up with creative ways to play and interact with them.
Play2Learn for Toddlers includes 20 Units for toddlers. Each 2-week toddler unit has 20 super easy to set up and engaging activities for toddlers 18 months to 3 years.
Play2Learn Preschool which includes 20 Units for preschoolers. Each 2-week preschoolers unit has 20 unique and easy to set up and engaging activities for preschoolers 3 years to 5 years. That’s over 800 learning activities for your toddler and preschooler at your fingertips! So many ideas you and your child will never be bored again!
These toddler and preschool lesson plans and activities will definitely keep you and your toddler and preschooler busy playing and learning!
Click here for more information: Play2Learn
Book: Exciting Sensory Bins for Curious Kids
Did you know I wrote a book of sensory bins? Click here for more information Exciting Sensory Bin for Curious Kids. Or grab your copy at Amazon.
Boring afternoons are made exciting with awesome animal-based bins, like Salty Shark Bay or Yarn Farm. Pretend play bins like Birthday Cake Sensory Play or Bubble Tea Party encourage creativity and imagination. And your kids will have so much fun they won’t even know they’re getting smarter with STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activities like Sink or Float Soup, Magnetic Letter Hunt or Ice Cream Scoop and Count.
Designed for toddlers 18 months and up.
Book: Super STEAM Activity Book for Kids
Learning all about science, technology, engineering, art, and math sets kids up for scholastic success―and it can be so much fun! Watch kids enjoy building STEAM skills as they color friendly fish, help water find its way to tree roots, solve math problems with mazes, and more.
Find out more and grab your copy here.
Designed for preschoolers 3 years old and up.
Book: Big Book of Riddles for Kids
Riddle me this: What’s an exciting way to practice critical thinking while having a blast? The Big Riddle Book for Kids, of course! From hilarious puns to tough brain teasers, kids can build problem-solving skills with hundreds of riddles tha. t show them how to think outside the box.
- 350 riddles for kids—Have hours of fun with riddles, puns and jokes, and math and logic puzzles that’ll get their wheels turning!
- Level up their skills—Riddles get trickier as kids progress through the book, challenging them as they get better at solving puzzles!
- Double-check their work—Kids can check their answers in the back of the book with a handy answer key.
Help children expand their minds while having fun with this puzzle book for kids!
Designed for kids ages 6 years old and up.
TV Show: Curious Crafting
I’m so excited to share my crafting TV show Curious Crafting which launched in July 2022 on TVOkids and TVOkids YouTube! Season 2 aired in August 2023! My show was also nominated in 2023 for Best Live Action Preschool Series by the Youth Media Alliance Awards of Excellence.
Curious Crafting Season 1 is also now airing in Australia on ABC! Watch it here!
Set in the ultimate crafting space, Curious Crafting is a short form pre-school age series about the joy of making crafts. I lead a rotating cast of adorable little preschoolers (including my own) making magic out of common household objects.
In each episode we transform recycled items into magical crafts like a milk carton school bus, paper bag puppet or cotton pad turtle. The crafters learn and laugh their way through each activity while demonstrating what their young imaginations can create.
Curious Crafting shares the adventure and joy of making art with takeaway lessons for creating crafts at home.
This show designed for toddlers and preschoolers 2.5 years old and up.
