Simple Glow in the Dark Water Bead Sensory Bottle

I just tried my first glow in the dark sensory bottle, and I am hooked! These are so fun! Plus, this is a super simple glow in the dark water bead discovery bottle, so that means that you may be able to find all of the ingredients at the dollar store.

There are six more glow in the dark sensory bottle ideas at the bottom of the post for my Discovery Bottles Blog Hop, so make sure not to skip out on those!

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Here is our very first (but definitely not last) glow in the dark discovery bottle.

Don’t the water beads almost look like bubble wrap!?!

I wanted to make a glow in the dark discovery bottle without using a black light because we I don’t have one. And this turned out even cooler than I imagined. My son even used it as a night light since the glow sticks lasted all night long.

When my husband saw it, he told me that it was so cool! Ha, a win for the kids and adults apparently.

This sensory bottle is super easy to make that you can even have your kids make it! Just be sure that they are old enough that they wouldn’t be tempted to ingest the water beads in the process.

Make a Super Simple Glow in the Dark Sensory Bottle

Materials:

• Water Bottle (I used VOSS
• Clear Water Beads
• Glow Sticks

I love using VOSS water bottles, but any kind would work. You can read about which bottles I recommend and where I buy them in my post How to Make a Perfect Sensory Bottle. If you use the VOSS bottles, I highly recommend drinking the water yourself because it’s like drinking crystal clear water. Then I use tap water to fill my bottles up.

I grabbed my clear water beads that came in a rainbow water bead pack that I bought online. I love having water beads around all the time, so these ones are perfect for me.

Many dollar stores have clear water beads in the floral section. Call ahead first. The two dollar stores closest to me never have them in stock, so it’s just easier for me to get mine online…especially since I love the rainbow water bead pack. Clear Water Beads are also available online.

My glow sticks came from the dollar store. If you plan on using LOTS of glow sticks, you can grab some online.

Make a Glow in the Dark Discovery Bottle

To make your bottle, add water to your water beads (if needed). Once they are the size you like, empty out the excess water.

Put the water beads into your sensory bottle. Make sure to allow some space at the top for the glow sticks to occupy.

Lastly, get your glow sticks glowing and put them in.

Go somewhere dark and watch them dazzle!

You could do a couple of colors.

Or even a rainbow! Ours lasted for about 12 hours, but that will vary by brand of glow sticks.

Once you’re done with your glow sticks, recycle your water beads! You could use them to make rainbow discovery bottles or you can put your water beads in your garden.

Now for more awesome glow in the dark discovery and sensory bottles:

Glow in the Dark Ocean Bottle | Sunny Day Family

Cool Glow In the Dark Chalk Sensory Bottle | Sugar Aunts

Glow in the Dark Loom Band Sensory Bottle | Rhythms of Play

Easy Glow in the Dark Beads Sensory Bottle | Mom Inspired Life

Glow in the Dark ABC I-Spy Sensory Bottle | Where Imagination Grows

Glow Sticks Sensory Bottle | Teaching Mama

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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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