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Color Mixing Sensory Bottle

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January 18, 2016 by Katie T. Christiansen 9 Comments

Whenever I need to whip up a quick activity, color mixing is one of my top picks! Color mixing activities are always exciting and a perfect learning opportunity. Today I have a color mixing sensory bottle with three easy ingredients! This color mixing sensory bottle is part of my Discovery Bottles Blog Hop, and this month the theme is Valentine’s Day. And while this is perfect for Valentine’s Day, you can use it any time of the year too!

Color Mixing Sensory Bottle by Preschool Inspirations-2

Be sure to check out the other fabulous discovery and sensory bottles at the end of this post after this one.

Making a new color is a magical experience for a young child, and this color mixing sensory bottle also has tons of bubbles. After we made this discovery bottle, we all stared at it for a long time. I’ll be sure to post a video of it on my Instagram account this week so you can see how fun it is.

Color Mixing Sensory Bottle Science by Preschool Inspirations

The bottle has red water on the bottom and clear oil on the top half. When you shake it, then our new color shows itself!
I love making pink! And the bubbles are absolutely amazing to watch as they pop! This could definitely be used as a calm down jar too.

Color Mixing Sensory Bottle by Preschool Inspirations-10

Here is how you can make your own.

Materials:

  • Water
  • Red liquid watercolor or food coloring
  • Mineral Oil
  • Water bottle (mine is a plastic VOSS)

I found all of the materials at my local grocery store except for the liquid watercolor. The mineral oil is about $2, and some dollar stores carry it too. I have never seen liquid watercolor in stores, so that’s something that you would have to get online.

As for the water bottle, VOSS water is at my local grocery store, but it’s not everywhere. You can easily substitute any type of bottle. My favorite bottles have sleek sides.

Color Mixing Sensory Bottle Process

Directions:

This sensory bottle is half colored water and half mineral oil. The mineral oil is what keeps it clear but other oils could be substituted. They will just change the coloring.

First, make sure to leave some room at the top for shaking.

Then pour in the water with red food coloring or red liquid watercolor. Since every bottle is a different size, you just have to eyeball it to make sure you put approximately half in (after you consider room at the top for shaking).

Next, add the mineral oil.

Then shake and watch the beauty!

After I made our color mixing discovery bottle, I asked my kids if they could make it change color. I told them that they couldn’t open it or add anything to it. They had to make it change color just the way it was. It only took them a few seconds before they realized that shaking it would turn it pink. And what a perfect experience to always help them remember that red and white become pink when mixed.

Now for some more amazing sensory and discovery bottles:

“Full of Love” Calm Down Jar with Printable Calming Affirmations | Lemon Lime Adventures

I Spy Love Sensory Bottle | Modern Preschool

Alphabet Discovery Bottle: Valentine’s Day Activity for Kids | Sunny Day Family

Floating Hearts Sensory Bottle |  Teaching Mama

Water bead Hearts Discovery Bottle | Sugar Aunts

Slow Falling Hearts Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play

Heart Glitter Jar | Fun-A-Day

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Katie T. Christiansen
Creator at Preschool Inspirations
Katie has spent 17 combined years in the Early Childhood field as a teacher, preschool owner, and educational writer. She has worked in profit and non-profit programs, high-risk schools, and started an in-home preschool and outdoor collaborative preschool program. She adores being a mom to three children, and her youngest is currently in preschool.
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Filed Under: Discovery Bottle, Science, Sensory, Valentine's Day

Comments

  1. Colleen says

    January 18, 2016 at 9:16 am

    What a great idea! I bet watching the colors is so mesmerizing!

    Reply
  2. Nicole says

    January 18, 2016 at 10:06 am

    My preschoolers will love making pink! I can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
  3. Nell Regan Kartychok says

    January 18, 2016 at 11:50 am

    This is such a fun idea for a Valentine’s day discovery bottle. I love the idea of teaching color mixing through the use of these fun bottles… fun!

    Reply
  4. Amilia says

    August 16, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    This may be a silly question, but could you use other oils instead? Like a canola or olive oil?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 17, 2016 at 9:55 pm

      Hi Amilia! That’s a great question! I’ve heard of people using canola oil before, but I have not tried it myself. If you have some extra around, feel free to give a go :). I’d love to hear the results!

      Reply
  5. diana says

    January 9, 2017 at 6:25 pm

    Hi Katie, love the idea of these been struggling making mine , not sure why ; but my question is I am lost when it comes to the color sensory bottles. coiuld you explain a little different. I would appreciate any help here. I work and after school program of 42 kids ages 5 through 11/12. The powers that be want me to have all the kids do the same thing makes it hard not to mention we are in the cafeteria with all the kids who are dismissed and othe after school clubs . Seriously crazy-

    thank you,
    diana

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 10, 2017 at 5:19 pm

      Hi Diana! While these bottles look amazing, I am not sure I would try to have an entire school age class make them. That would overwhelm me! I hope you can find something that all of the students can do together! That is a tall order for sure.

      Reply
  6. Grace says

    October 31, 2018 at 1:24 pm

    Hi there – I’m so excited, I have some middle school girls who are excited about making these with me. Did I miss where you put the measurement amounts for each ingredient? Could you help me out?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 4, 2018 at 8:05 am

      Hi Grace! I updated the post to make it more clear. Let me know if you need any help :).

      Reply

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I'm Katie, and I'm a veteran preschool teacher, child development research junkie, and mom of three who lives on little sleep and turns my kitchen into an art and science laboratory.

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