This simple homemade glitter jar craft for kids is great for all ages. Making glitter bottles are surprisingly easy and this lovely DIY falling stars calming jar project has magical results. The star glitter drifts and floats in the deep dark water making it calming to watch.
DIY Falling Stars Glitter Jar for Kids
Have you ever made a sensory bottle or glitter jar? We use sensory bottles to calm down angry feelings, teach mindfulness, and to help our kids wind down at bedtime. A glitter jar is also known as a calming jar, glitter bottle, glitter sensory bottle, sensory bottle, calm down jar or calm jar.
Sensory Jars for Kids
A sensory jar (also known as a calm down jar) can be helpful for times when children find themselves overwhelmed by emotion – whether it’s frustration or anger or sadness.
Think of a time you were overwhelmed with sensory input. It might have been in a crowd, a concert or a busy store. This over-stimulation will make you feel cranky, angry, out-of-control and you stop thinking straight and just start trying to find a way out. This is what happens to kids sometimes in situations that you might feel is normal. They get overwhelmed and start over-reacting to normal sensory input. Things like sensory jars can help them focus on less stimulation and learn calming techniques that will be a good foundation for a healthy future.
Holly Homer, Physical Therapist
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Related: We have even more super fun and shiny glitter crafts!
How to Make a Glitter Jar
Purple is a soothing color, and my children chose it because it reminded them of the night sky. We also incorporated silver star confetti to create a Falling Stars Glitter Jar.
Supplies Needed to Make Calming Jar
Directions to Make Falling Stars Glitter Jar
Step 1
First, pour half a bottle of clear glue into the jar.
Step 2
Next, sprinkle several tablespoons of the silver star glitter into the jar.
Step 3
Then, fill the remainder of the bottle with dyed distilled water. You’ll only need a small amount of black dye to create a rich purple tone.
Step 4
Lastly, attach the lid. If you used a Mason jar like we did, cut a small circle of purple construction paper and place it on top of the lid, but under the ring.
For younger kids, you may wish to seal the lid to the jar with hot glue.
Finished Falling Stars Glitter Jar
Is your child just loving their new sensory jar?! Why not make another one to keep at daycare or Grandma’s house?
Enjoy!
More Sensory Jar Ideas You Can Make
Active Time
10 minutes
Total Time
10 minutes
Materials
- Elmer’s Clear School Glue
- Distilled Water
- Black Food Dye
- Jar (I used a 16 oz. glass mason jar but plastic is recommended for kids who can’t handle glass.)
- Silver Star Confetti
- Mason Jar Lid and Ring
Instructions
1. Pour half of a bottle of clear glue into the jar.
2. Sprinkle several tablespoons of the silver star glitter into the jar.
3. Fill the remainder of the bottle with dyed distilled water. Just a small amount of black dye is needed to create a rich purple tone.
4. Attach the lid. If desired, cut a small circle of purple construction paper and place it on top of the lid, but under the ring. For younger kids, you may wish to seal the lid to the jar with hot glue.
5. Shake well and enjoy!
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How did your glitter jar project turn out? Do your kids like watching the falling stars?
