Sensory Jars

These jars are some of my favourite little play items! Easy to make and they are entertaining and engaging for brand new babies, toddlers and big kids alike! I first made them for Lilly to play with she was around 3 months old. She’s now almost two and they are still a relevant play thing and have become a fun learning tool for her! Let me share how I use and make these superb little Sensory Jars!

Sight Emphasis

Fill the jars with items that are visually appealing for your little to observe and explore with their eyes. Lilly’s favourites to look at are the sprinkles and paper clips because they are brightly coloured! For babies, they can be a great visual focus during tummy time or if you create jars with black and white items (high contrast) they will hold your baby’s gaze endlessly! For toddlers, these jars are a great way to model observation especially using specific adjectives like big/small or colour words. You can set them in a window to look in natural light at or roll them around in your hands for a 360 view! Making statements like, “I see small sprinkles!” or “I see a red paper clip.” helps model what you’re doing with the jar. Always be sure to ask your little what they see! Even if their response is a bunch of babble, it’s important for building conversation skills, language and promoting dialogue! For older kids, you can say more scientific with your observations! Choose three jars with different items like these ones:

Ask your child to describe the items in each jar using adjectives (small, tiny, minuscule, coloured, oblong). You can have them explain how they may be related or connected. Even have your child draw each one and label it.

Sound Emphasis

These jars can be like tiny rattles that are perfect for every age! Fill the jars with items that make different levels of noise so soft sounds and loud sounds. Some great soft sound items are chia seeds, rice, and paper confetti. Some good loud sounds items are coins, marbles, and popcorn seeds. Older babies have fun shaking and making different levels of noise. As they grow you can start to ask them, “Is this noise loud or quiet?” or predict, “Will this jar make a loud noise? Why do you think that?” Older children can be tasked with finding items to make a loud or soft sound jar.

Smell Emphasis

Choosing different scents for these jars can really spice up your little one’s day like with an invigorating citrus peel or fresh calming lavender flowers from outside! Fill the jars with different scented items like fresh cut ginger or with different spices like cinnamon! For this kind of play, I am always present. Because the lids have to be off for smelling, I always hold the jar. When Lilly was old enough to hold it without spilling everywhere or accidentally eating it, I’d let her hold it for a sniff! Whether you hold it under your little one’s nose for a sniff or have your toddler smell themselves, their sense of smell will come alive. Older children can have fun with mystery scents. Either closing their eyes or using a blindfold to hide their eyes, they can smell prepared jars and take a guess at what it is!

We know sensory play is important! Children take in this brand new world they’ve entered with their senses. It’s how they first become adjusted to life outside the womb. They rely on the smell and touch of familiar caregivers before their sense of sight develops. Senses are how they begin to make sense of the world and there is usually a plethora of questions to follow. “What is this? Why is it cold? What does it do? What is that smell?” and all of this sensory development allows us as adults to enjoy the best parts of the world through our senses. These jars are a great way to foster and strengthen the development of your little one’s senses!