Create these fun and easy St Patrick’s Day theme science discovery bottles to explore simple science concepts with preschoolers! We had a blast making these discovery bottles or sensory bottles for our St Patrick’s Day preschool activities.
What Is A Science Discovery Bottle?
A science discovery bottle, also known as a sensory or discovery bottle, is a clear container you can fill with various materials that will engage the senses and promote exploration.
The Components of a Science Discovery Bottle
1. Transparent Bottle: Use a clear plastic or glass bottle with a secure lid or cap.
2. Fillings: Fill the bottle with a combination of materials that capture visual interest and stimulate other senses. Common fillings include water, oil, glitter, beads, buttons, small toys, or objects with unique textures.
3. Liquid and Viscous Materials: Incorporate liquids of different viscosities such as water, oil, or glycerin to create interesting fluid dynamics.
4. Colorful Elements: Add food coloring, liquid watercolors, or colored liquids to enhance visual appeal.
You can tailor the contents of a science discovery bottle to a specific theme, such as nature, colors, or shapes. Here we will show you how to make St Patrick’s Day science discovery bottles and explore simple science for preschoolers, and elementary aged children.
Grab a few of these cool bottles and reuse them for different seasons, holidays, and themes. Simple science in a bottle is a great mess-free way to explore and discover new ideas.
TIP: Place in a basket or leave in the clever carton they came in. They can be gently rolled on the floor for babies to explore with you. Toddlers can sit and check them out as well. Older kids can help make them! Our science discovery bottles are also perfect for a home or classroom science center.
How To Make 6 St Patrick’s Day Science Discovery Bottles
This activity makes 6 different science discovery bottles. I found a 6 pack of VOSS plastic water bottles at the store the other day and thought they would make an awesome pack of science discovery bottles.
The caps on these bottles can be sealed with hot glue or even duct tape wrapped around the seal. Because the materials are contained inside, these science discovery bottles are an awesome way to introduce science to very young kids.
1. Sensory Glitter Bottle
You will need:
- green glitter glue
- water
- optional – green glitter and clear glue
Instructions:
We love an easy glitter science discovery bottle or sensory bottle! Simply empty a container of glitter glue into a bottle and fill the rest of the way with water. I prefer room temp water to speed the mixing process. Add more glitter as desired. The dollar store also has glitter and glue. Cap it and shake it.
Learn About:
Also, a lesson in suspension science. What happens after you shake the bottle? What does the glitter do and why?
The glitter provides a visual representation of how particles act in a liquid. This can be used to discuss concepts such as suspension (solid particles in a liquid that don’t dissolve), settling, and the effect of external forces (like shaking) on particle movement.
2. Oil and Water Discovery Bottle
You will need:
- baby oil (though regular cooking oil will work too!)
- water
- green food coloring
- eye dropper
Instructions:
Fill a bottle half way with the oil. Mix up a container of water with green food coloring. Use an eye dropper to squeeze droplets of green water into the bottle. Watch what happens!
Learn About:
Oil and water experiment is a classic! Do oil and water mix together? Check out this science discovery bottle to find the answer. What happens when you add the water to the oil? After you add more water, shake the bottle. What happens? Read about the science of oil and water here.
3. Viscosity Science Discovery Bottle
You will need:
- corn syrup
- small objects like pennies or pony beads
Instructions:
Fill a bottle 2/3 full with corn syrup. Drop in objects such as pennies and pony beads. Check out how they move through the liquid. What happens? Watch the liquid move. Does it move fast or slow?
Learn about:
This science discovery bottle explore viscosity, or the resistance of a liquid to flow, as well as suspension. Suspension refers to particles in the liquid being big enough to settle out.
4. Viscosity Suspension Discovery Bottle
You will need:
- cheap hair conditioner
- green food coloring
- water
Instructions:
Squeeze a bottle of cheap hair conditioner into the bottle. Add green food coloring. What happens? What happens if you add a little water?
5. Magnetic Science Discovery Bottle (with water)
You will need:
- water
- green food coloring
- small magnetic items
Instructions:
This bottle is filled with green colored water. To the water I added magnetic items from one of our favorite magnetic science kits. Add a magnetic wand. What happens when you bring the wand to the bottle?
Learn about:
What items are magnetic and what are not. Learn more about the science of magnetism here.
6. Magnetic Science Discovery Bottle (no water)
You will need:
A variety of small items, some magnetic and some not. Choose green or rainbow colors to fit in with our St Patrick’s Day theme.
Instructions:
This magnetic bottle is not filled with water. To it, you can add cut up pipe cleaners, paper clips, and cut straws. You will need a magnetic wand. Which items are are magnetic?
Printable St Patrick’s Day STEM Pack
Get ready to catch a Leprechaun, explore fizzy pots, and dig for gold coin oobleck all while exploring simple science and engineering design process with the St Patrick’s Day STEM Pack!
Over 100 pages of easy to use STEM activities that will make your prep and planning time a cinch! Cheap supplies, easy to set up and clean up, and full of hands-on fun!
- 25+ St. Patrick’s Day science activities and STEM projects kids that are easy to set up and fit into the time you have available even if it’s limited!
- Printable leprechaun theme STEM activities that are simple but engaging for home or classroom. Perfect for K-2 and beyond but easily adaptable to many skill levels.
AWESOME!