DIY Calming Jar

Looking for an alternative to time-outs in your home? Have your child create this simple calming jar using fun and bright glitter colors. This craft is a delight because it allows your child to use their fine motor skills with squeezing glitter tubes, pouring water, and twisting the cap. And the end result is a personalized jar that your child can turn to when they need a little quiet time or redirection as they watch the glitter float to the bottom.

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Materials you'll need

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1
Set out materials for your child to see on the table. Squeeze about half a tube of glitter glue into the jar.

Step 2
Select another glitter glue color and squeeze half a tube into the jar. Your child will love watching the different colors. And squeezing is so much fun!

Step 3
Pour very warm water (almost hot, so the glitter glue doesn't clump up) into the jar. A small 8-ounce measuring cup with a handle is perfect for small hands to pour with minimal mess. (Note: If your water is not hot enough, it may take a day for the glitter glue clumps to disappear.)

Step 4
Pour (or shake) glitter into the jar. This glitter gives the calming jar a nice sparkle. My daughter, ever the glitter love, enjoyed shaking and tapping all of the glitter into the jar.

Final result!
Twist on the cap. Assist your child with an extra tight twist. Then let your child shake the jar to let the ingredients mix up. This calming jar sits on my daughter's art table next to her bed. She knows she can grab it at anytime to shake out her frustrations and then calmly watch the glitter fall whiles she take a quiet moment to sit, relax, and breathe.