Overview

When experiencing big feelings, it can be challenging for children (and even adults) to return to a relaxed or calm state. One way to work through emotions is through the use of mindfulness practices. Mindfulness supports individuals in bringing attention to the present – reflecting on what’s happening in the body (emotionally and physically), what’s happening around us (the environment) and influence how we interact with others. These DIY Reflection Jars are a fun, low to no-cost sensory-based craft that can help children slow down and reset.   

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Create your own Reflection Shaker to practice self-management and reset when experiencing big emotions.  

DIY Reflection Shakers: 

Materials needs for all:  

• Clear bottle or plastic jar (consider upcycling a water bottle or empty plastic pickle jar)  
  • Note: Avoid glass and look for containers with a screw top lid 
• Filtered/distilled water 
  • Note: This helps to keep your Reflection Shakers mold free!  
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks or super glue  
• Decorative tape or masking tape  

Sensory Support: Visual  

Glitter Storm  

What you need: 1 bottle of glitter glue, 1 tsp loose glitter  

Make it your own: consider adding beads or confetti  

What you do:  

• Fill the container half-way with water. 
• Add the glitter glue and loose glitter.    
• Fill the rest of the container with water.  
• Hot glue or super glue a ring on the inside and outside of the lid before and after screwing on.  
• Wrap in decorative or masking tape.  
• Shake well and let sit overnight to mix. 

 

Out of this World  

What you need: 1 bottle of glow-in-the-dark glue; hot water*  

Make it your own: consider adding beads that resemble planets or star confetti 

What you do:  

• Squeeze the glue into the empty container.    
• Warm up water in the microwave or on the stovetop. Water should be warm to touch but not boiling.  
• Fill container with water leaving a small space (about an inch) at the top.  
• Hot glue or super glue a ring on the inside and outside of the lid before and after screwing on.  
• Wrap in decorative or masking tape.  
• Shake well and let sit overnight to mix. 

 

Lava Lamp 

What you need: Liquid food coloring, vegetable or olive oil 

Make it your own:  use clear baby oil and oil based food coloring to increase your color options by dying the oil and water different colors 

What you do:  

• Fill the container half-way with water. 
• Add a couple of drops of food coloring for desired color. 
• Fill the rest of the container with oil leaving a small space (about an inch) at the top. 
• Hot glue or super glue a ring on the inside and outside of the lid before and after screwing on.  
• Wrap in decorative or masking tape.  

 

I-Spy  

What you need: funnel, rice, lentils or beans (or mixture), small figures/toys, beads, etc. 

Make your own funnel by rolling a piece of paper 

Make it your own: customize your i-spy adventure by using alphabet/number beads or magnets to practice spelling and math, themed toys colors and beads (blue beads, small ocean figurines, water beads for underwater theme), etc.  

What you do:  

• Fill your container half-way with dry base (e.g., rice, beans, etc.)  
• Add small items/manipulatives.  
• Fill the rest of the container with oil leaving a small space (about an inch) at the top. 
• Hot glue or super glue a ring on the inside and outside of the lid before and after screwing on.  
• Wrap in decorative or masking tape.  

 

Sensory Support: Auditory  

Rain Stick  

What you need: funnel, sticks, pipe cleaners or cut up plastic straws, 1 cup of rice, beans, lentils, etc.  

Make your own funnel by rolling a piece of paper. 

Make it your own: gather natural materials from your backyard or get creative with different kitchen good (e.g., sprinkles, sugar, etc.). 

What you do:  

• Add 1 cup of dry base (e.g., rice, beans, etc.) to empty bottle.  
• Insert sticks, pipe cleaners, straws, etc. into the bottle. These serve as a barrier for the dry base to “rain” over so there should be some space but not too much.  
• Close the lid.