Explore the ocean with a variety of neat visual textures in our simple to make ocean sensory bottles or jars. Explore three different ways to make an ocean in a bottle. Of course, you can add a variety of your favorite ocean animals or sea creatures. Make one for shark week if you dare! Use a variety of materials including water beads, water and sand, and glitter glue to make a unique ocean sensory jar. Our ocean activities are fun for kids!
Add some fun to an ocean theme lesson for preschoolers with these easy to make ocean sensory bottles or jars! Create your own ocean in a bottle with a few simple materials. Fun sea creatures are mixed with unique combinations of play materials.
TIP: Check out more fun and easy sensory bottles you can make!
FREE Printable Ocean Activities Guide!
3 Ways To Make An Ocean In A Bottle
Let’s get started building this fun ocean in a bottle craft! Choose one ocean theme or make them all! Make sure to grab these exciting ocean activities above to add the fun.
Supplies:
NOTE: We DO NOT endorse using water beads due to safety concerns!
- Water
- Play sand or real beach sand
- Food coloring
- Glitter
- Clear glue or blue glitter glue
- Blue glass marbles (see Vase filler)
- Small plastic sea creatures
- Small shells
- Jars or bottles ( we use both these types of plastic containers as well as the Voss brand water bottles)
Ocean In A Bottle #1: Glass Vase Filler!
- Vase filler
- Sea creatures
Use an acrylic or glass marble vase filler in shades of blue and green to represent the ocean.
Ocean In A Bottle #2: Colored Sand and Water!
Make an underwater theme!
- Play sand
- Water
- Food coloring
- Sea Creatures
- Shells
STEP 1: Add a layer of sand to the bottom of the jar. You can also use beach sand like in this beach discovery bottle.
STEP 2: Fill with very light blue water.
STEP 3: Add fun sea creatures and shells.
Ocean In A Bottle #3: Glitter and Glue
Mesmerizing! This is a more traditional calm down jar and you can give it an ocean theme with fun stickers!
- Water (1/4 cup)
- Clear glue (6 ounces)
- Food coloring
- Blue glitter (a couple of TBSP)
- Fish stickers
- Sea creatures (optional)
STEP 1: Add the glue to the jar.
STEP 2: Add the water and mix to combine.
STEP 3: Add the food coloring for the desired color.
STEP 4: Add glitter. You can even find ocean theme confetti to try. Add fish stickers (mermaid or other themes) around the outside of the container.
SENSORY BOTTLE TIP: Add warm water if the glitter or confetti does not move around easily. If the glitter or confetti moves to quickly, add additional glue to slow it down.
Changing the viscosity or consistency of the mixture will change the movement of the glitter or confetti. There’s a bit of science for you too!
You could also try making a glitter jar with vegetable oil instead of glue and water, and compare! Do remember though that a water-soluble food coloring will not mix into the oil.
More Fun Ocean Activities For Kids
Check out our list of fun ocean activities for preschoolers, including…
- Salt Dough Starfish
- Glowing Jellyfish Craft
- Icy Ocean Sensory Bin
- Ocean Sensory Bin
- Ocean Waves In A Bottle
- Pirate Activities
Printable Ocean STEM Project Pack
Perfect for kids in Kindergarten through Upper Elementary School! Grab this Ocean printable project pack and read the reviews!
- 10+ Ocean theme science activities with journal pages, supply lists, set up and process, and science information. Easy to set up, fun, and fit into your available time, even if it’s limited!
- 10+ Printable Ocean STEM challenges that are simple but engaging for home or classroom.
- Engaging Ocean theme activities include a tide pool pack, oil spill pack, marine food chain pack, and more!
- Ocean Theme STEM Story and challenges perfect for going on a STEM adventure in the classroom!
- Learn about Jacques Cousteau with a workbook activity
- Explore the ocean layers and create an ocean layer jar!
- Ocean Extras include I-Spy pages, bingo games, coloring sheets, and more for early finishers!
- BONUS: Ocean Science Camp Week Pullout (note some duplicate activities but organized for convenience)
- BONUS: Ocean STEM Challenge Calendar Pullout (note some duplicate activities but organized for convenience)
