Homemade Shakers

Homemade shakers are a great way to fill time with a fun sensory activity and gives your little one a great musical instrument or sensory toy when they are done. Visit back soon for how to modify this activity to target language, STEM, fine motor, and other skills!

What you will need

Plastic bottle(s)

We saved up my old seltzer bottles. A perfect lesson in reduce, reuse recycle!

Something to add sound

We used quinoa, pasta, and rice. We also planned to use salt, but wound up running out of time before making our fourth shaker.

Something to secure the cap

We used super glue (not pictured below), though hot glue would work as well.

Optional Supplies

Food dye of your choice
Funnel or measuring cup with spout for pouring
Bowl/spoon to help mix food dye and filler
Items to decorate exterior of the bottle (stickers, etc.)
Apron for your little one (to keep them clean when using food dye)
Glitter (to put in with the filler for added flair!)

None of the products seen above are sponsored. We used what we already had in house (especially products found in the back of our cupboard that hadn't been used in some time), and encourage you to take the same eco-friendly approach. ................. Though we do love Annie's allergy policy!!!

Making your shakers

Making your shakers is easy!

1. If you want to color your filler, simply use a small bowl and combine the filler with a food dye of your choice. You can use a spoon, or let your child enjoy the sensory experience of mixing with their hands (this will result in food dye on their hands, but that is an easy fix with some soap and water).

2. Young children can work on their pincer grasp by feeding items such as macaroni individually into the bottle spout (see images to right if you are on a computer, or below if you are on a mobile device). Older children can help pour whatever you are using as a filling into the bottle using a funnel, rolled piece of paper, or measuring cup with pour spout.

3. When done, secure the bottle cap using super glue or a similar material (this step is essential, as it will ensure your child's new toy/musical instrument doesn't become choking hazard!!)