Shaker/sensory bottles

These are very simple and quick to make but children love them.

To make these ones I used 330ml mini coke bottles but you can use any small plastic bottles, ideally clear in colour so you can see what is inside.  Just consider the size of the bottles to make sure that your child can lift them.  You can put almost anything in them.   Children can shake them to make noise, roll them along the floor, put them in their mouth and look at the interesting things inside.  I made 6 to start with containing
- blue coloured water with 2 x 5cent peices
- rice and glitter
- red coloured water
- pasta with stars/glitter
- bells
- glitter

To make
- clean your bottle well and dry
- place items of your choice inside
- glue (with non toxic glue) the lid on -  this is important.
Children can use them as soon as the glue is dry.

Consider putting things inside that sound interesting when the bottle is shaken, look interesting and are not too heavy so the child can easily lift them.

These can be used with children at a matter of months old. They can be quite challenging before children can use 2 hands to lift things but are great to help them develop this skill.  My son was most interested in them between about 6-9months old.