Nature sensory bottle

Recommended Age: 3 years and onwards

Purpose: for the child to enhance their perception of items found in the natural environment though observing it closer

Level of Parent Involvement: Low, the adult must give the child instructions for this exercise then the child may collect the items independently

Prerequisites

Materials

Preparation

Find an appropriately sized bottle to use to make the sensory bottle, removing labels if necessary

Steps

Invite the child letting them know that you are going to be making a nature sensory bottle with them
Inform the child that they will need to go outside to collect some natural objects
Show the child the bottle that they will be using and have a discussion about the types of objects which will fit through the hole at the top of the bottle (leaves, flowers, twigs, stones, gumnuts etc)
Let the child know that they will be going outside to collect the objects, the child may get ready accordingly (e.g., hat, sunscreen, jacket, shoes etc)
Show the child the basket/bag which they will use to collect their objects
Invite the child to go outside to collect the objects for their sensory bottle
Once the child has finished collecting objects, choose a place outdoors where you can assemble the bottle with the child
Invite the child to take each object out of the basket/bag and name
The child may now place the objects inside the bottle
Once the child has placed the objects inside the bottle, let them know they will need to fill the bottle with water
Invite the child to fill the jug with water
Using the funnel, invite the child to pour the water into the bottle
The child may place the lid onto the bottle (you may secure the lid with super glue)
Take a few calming moments with the child, tipping the bottle up and down, watching the natural materials move around in the water

Variations

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