a simple craft :: diy “look & find” bottles

Doesn’t it seem like just yesterday that the kids were off from school for Christmas vacation? Are we really at Spring Break already??

Whether you are packing up the family for a Spring Break roadtrip or hanging at home for the week, you’ll want to stock up on some ideas to keep the kids busy and beat those “I’m Bored!” blues!

My kids love “Look & Find” bottles. It’s like a little scavenger hunt in their hands. These are great because, not only is it mess-free fun that keeps the kids busy, but this is something you can make before your trip and take with you or, if you’re staying at home, spend a day making them and the rest of the week playing with them! And they are so super easy to make!!!

DIY Look & Find Bottle How-to ::

supplies you will need

• clear plastic bottle with lid
• rice (one box of instant white rice was enough to fill 2 of our bottles)
• small objects or tiny toys, buttons, etc.
• hot glue gun
• optional — paper, pen, & packing tape

let’s get to work

1. Wash and dry your plastic bottle and lid. Give your bottle quite a bit of time to dry!
2. Fill your very dry bottle 3/4 full with rice. You can use white rice or brown rice. We used white rice and colored it. While you’re filling your bottle with rice, start adding your little toys, buttons, or objects. Adding a few at a time while you’re filing the bottle with rice will make it easier when mixing it all up.

   Coloring your rice — Optional ::

   In a bowl, mix your dry white rice with a teaspoon or two of rubbing alcohol. Then add in a few drops of food coloring. Mix thoroughly. Spread the colored rice onto a cookie sheet lined with paper towel. Let it dry out over night.

   

3. Optional :: Make a list of the items you’re including in your bottle. Write them down on a strip of paper. After you’ve finished creating your bottle, use a piece of packing tape to attach the list to your bottle (and make-shift laminate it). This will give your kids an idea of what they are looking for. Or, don’t include the list and keep it all a surprise.
4. Add a small bead of hot glue to the top of your bottle and attach the lid. This will keep accidental rice spills from happening! Let the glue dry and then mix around the rice in the bottle to hide your Look & Find objects.

Our Look & Find bottles included some ABC beads and princess-themed buttons. My girls love challenging each other to find the different princess items in the bottle, which keeps them busy, and my preschooler gets practice with her letter recognition with the ABC beads!

I’m thinking I might make a few smaller Look & Find Bottles just to keep in the car for those impromptu road trips or to keep in the diaper bag for trips to the doctor’s office or at restaurants!

What are some fun things you’ll be doing to keep your kids busy this Spring Break?