Slo-Mo Calming Bottles - Holiday Stress Buster!

It’s easy to make your own unique slo-mo calming bottle that is a very useful coping strategy to help your child calm down and relax when they get overwhelmed. They are great for promoting a relaxing and focused atmosphere when your child may need it most.

A calming bottle can be used when you are out-and-about, during a sensory overload, at bedtime, and just for the fun of it!

Using a slo-mo calming bottle provides visual, tactile, and proprioceptive input that gives your body and mind time to receive calming sensory input needed to help organize thoughts, focus attention, and “reset” the nervous system. If your child (or even you too!) likes to shake, hold, turn around and around, and watch the slo-mo action up-side down you can add vestibular input into the activity as well.

Making these slo-mo calming bottles are quick and easy – you can make several different kinds, use them in a travel bag for when you are away from home, give them as sensory gifts to others that would benefit from them, and to leave on a shelf for visitors to check out and play with themselves!

The directions I am giving include a variety of options to “make it uniquely your own” as well as making slo-mo bottles with different holiday and seasonal themes. These Slo-Mo Calming bottles make a great gift during the stressful holidays, and anytime during the rest of the year!

What you Need:

o Empty water bottle with a cap that closes well (you can buy specialty made “sensory bottles” on line or in craft stores too)

o Super glue (to keep the lid on and closed when you are finished adding the ingredients to the bottle)

o Large bowl for mixing the ingredients up in or an extra-large (1 quart) measuring cup with a spout

o Funnel to pour liquid and add-ins into the bottle

o Mixing spoon

o Water (to add in) – warm water helps in mixing everything up

o Optional: Color dye (food based or colored drink mix) as desired

Wet Ingredients:

Choose one of the following as a main slow-mo base: Using a thicker wet liquid base will make the dry add ins move and sink slower and may be more calming to your child watching the slo-mo action.

1) Clear corn syrup

2) Clear Liquid Hair Gel – thin out a bit with water – 1-part gel to 6 parts water to start, then add more gel to thicken as desired!

3) Clear Glue – mix with water (1-part glue to 6 parts water)!

4) Glitter Glue (in any color you’d like) – mix with water (1 part to 6)!

5) Glow in the Dark Glue or Paint – mix with water (1 part to 6)!

6) Clear SoftSoap or Heavy Dish Detergent

o Water (to add in) – warm water helps in mixing everything up

o Color dye (food based or colored drink mix) as desired /optional

Ideas for Items to ADD to Mixture:

Here are some ingredients you can use in your slo-mo calming bottle:

o Glitter (any color, any theme, any design)

o Sequins (any size, color, theme)

o Small shells in variety of shapes

o Glow in the dark stars (like you would put on your ceiling or wall)

o Lego’s

o Marbles

o Small beads (plastic ones)

o Lego People, or miniature figures

o Small game pieces

o Bingo Chips / Colored discs

o Small stones

o Small holiday themed doo-dads and decorations

o Small rubber or plastic “critters”

o Small plastic or pieces of costume jewelry

o Buttons in a variety of sizes and colors

o Small rubber bands or loops

o Colorful Paper Clips

You can keep just one type of item in your slo-mo bottle or have a variety – it is totally up to you! Since this is so quick and easy to make you can make several different kinds, different colors, different themes!

What to do:

1. Gather ingredients

2. In mixing bowl combine your wet base ingredient and water as needed to make a thick viscous liquid – the thicker the slower your items will move around inside the bottle; Mix well

3. Add your food dye or coloring if desired and mix well

4. Add your dry items to the mix and stir well (add one at a time if you are combining a variety of items for your bottle)

5. Pour into your waiting bottle – leave a couple inches at the top in case you need to add more “thick” liquid, color, water, or want to add more items

6. You can always pour a little out if need be

7. Once satisfied, leave about ½” to 1” so that there is room for the liquid and items to move around – too stuffed full makes it more difficult for items to float and move in the thick liquid.

8. Apply some super-duper glue to the inside of the cap and screw on well. If you want to be extra sure, you can use some duct tape along the cap seam.

9. Let glue dry and then it’s time to use!

Shake, rattle, and roll, turn around, hold upside down, and just enjoy the action in your slo-mo calming bottle!

Please feel free to share with credit to TheraPlay4Kids.com

Thanks for your support!