Kids Craft: Sensory Bottles

So these are some great ideas for indoor crafts to do with your toddler or pre-schooler. If you're like me and live in the desert and are trying to stay out of the heat right now, now's the time to do these. Or if you're like the rest of the country and actually enjoy your summers, these are probably going to be better put to use in the winter. At any rate, if you're looking for some new crafts to do with your kids, and they're tired of the same ol' toys in the toybox, these should serve as some inspiration to you! I think these are fabulous ideas and have full intentions of getting some of these going this week. They all can be made using plastic bottles - something most of us probably have lying around the house anyway....

Lava bottles. Fill equal parts water and baby oil, and add some food coloring.

Snow globes. Fill equal parts water and corn syrup. Add whatever small objects you can find around the house (paper clips, gems, beads, glitter, dice, etcetera).

Discovery bottles. These are a homemade version of the "I Spy" products out there. What kid doesn't love those? :) Just fill the bottle with rice, and add small items from around the house (dice, paper clips, beads, coins, googly eyes, etcetera. You can often buy packs of such random objects at many local craft stores, as well). You can also type up a list of the different items inside the bottle (and laminate it!) for the older kids who can read.

To make them tamper-proof (to avoid messes!) from your kids, just glue the tops shut with a hot-glue gun, and let set until dry.