When I blog a few years ago about glitter calming down jars, they weren’t nearly as popular as they are today.  Since I wrote that post, I’ve made probably 50 more, so I wanted to share my tips for creating them today, and a new visual available on my TPT store!

So let’s get to it.   Here is my current favorite, and kid-friendly way to create calming down jars or bottles!

Step 1:  Gather your supplies.  

• Hot water
• An empty water bottle ( love the look and grasp for the kiddos of VOSS water, but any will do)
• Glycerin (Find it at a craft store or pharmacy).  I prefer most the Wilton cake decorating type, but it’s most expensive)
• Glitter (I like using 2 kinds/colors in each bottle)
• Elmer’s glitter glue
• Food coloring
• Not pictured but highly recommended:  a glue gun to glue the top on when done

Step 2:  Pour about 1.5 cups of hot water into the bottle (about 3/4 of the way up).

Step 3:  Add 1/2 bottle of Elmer’s glitter glue.

Step 4:  Add glitter.  I let kids choose two types or colors, and we add anywhere from a teaspoon to a tablespoon (start slow).

Step 5:  Drop in 1-2 drops of food coloring.  One is good most times, but two is fine for secondary colors or if you want it a bit darker.

Step 6:  Shake it up!  Put the cover on and shake up, letting the glue mix up and melt a bit.

Step 7:  Add Glycerin.  Add Glycerin up to 1 inch from the top of the bottle.  Shake it up to see the results and add any more ingredients as necessary!

Also….

I definitely recommend hot glueing the top of the bottles once you are satisfied with what is inside.

I also recommend if you are sending these back to the classroom or home, to include some type of explanation or rules that teachers and parents can reference.  I have one in my TPT store here!

Have fun!  Let me know if you make them with your kiddos!