Discovery Bottles: Teach Kids Observation Skills With These Ideas

Discovery Bottles are plastic water or pop bottles filled with different and colorful materials. The purpose of these bottles is to teach young children observation skills and scientific concepts. These bottles are great for babies to preschool-aged children. Here are a few ideas for your Discovery Bottles:

Wave Bottle: Turn this bottle on its side and watch as "waves" roll.
To Make: Fill 1/2 the bottle with cooking oil ( you can also use baby oil). The add water until the bottle is full. Add blue food coloring and hot glue the cap shut and you're finished!

Glitter Bottle: Shake the bottle and watch the pretty glitter move through out the bottle.
To Make: Fill the bottle with water. Add food coloring (your choice of color). Then add glitter. Use a hot glue gun to seal the cap.

Autumn Bottle: Nature items found in the fall.
To Make: Fill bottle with fall nature items (acorns, leaves, pumpkin seeds). Use a hot glue gun to seal the cap closed.

Spring or Summer Bottle: Nature items found in spring and summer.
Fill the bottle with flowers (real or fake), grass, dirt, small plastic bugs or butterflies. Use a hot glue gun to seal cap closed.

Calm Bottle : Watching the glitter slowly float in the bottle.
To Make: Add glitter (anywhere from 2-3 teaspoons) then fill the bottle about 1/2 full with clear corn syrup. Hot glue cap to seal closed.

Estimation Bottle: For children 3 years and older. Child has to estimate how many items are in the bottle.
To Make: Fill bottle with several items (such as rocks, or sea shells) Be sure to count how many of the item you add so you can tell your child how close their estimation was. Use a hot glue gun to seal closed.

Beach Bottle: Add sand to fill about half the bottle. Add sea shells and/or pebbles to the bottle. Use a hot glue gun to seal cap closed.

Tornado Bottle: A tornado bottle is always a favorite! When you shake the bottles a tornado funnel forms in the bottle!
You will need two 2 liter soda bottles and a Tornado Tube (found in many novelty and educational toy stores).
To make: Fill one of the soda bottles about two thirds full with water. Add food coloring if you wish. Screw the bottles onto both ends of the Tornado Tube. Place the bottle with the water in it on top and shake. A tornado will start to form!

Toddlers and preschoolers will love this shaking the Discovery Bottles to see what happens. Preschool aged children can even help you make them(just be sure the adult uses the glue gun) . Place the finished bottle on a low shelf so your child can observe the bottles as they wish.