Part II of the Baby Art Playground Series
A big hangup with baby crafting is the threat of a big mess. Oftentimes, this is a wonderful thing as babies explore their world and express their curiosity through play. But sometimes it’s nice to have an activity with minimal mess paired with a long-lasting toy. Especially if you have a terror monster on your hands and/or are hosting a program for 20+ babies. Enter Discovery Bottles! I received inspiration from Familylicious, Learning Through Play, The Imagination Tree, and Fun at Home with Kids.
Why discovery bottles?
Babies are fascinated with the world around them, using their mouths to explore new textures and objects. But for the mesmerizing things that may pose a choking hazard, we can place inside a bottle and seal it up tight. While the sense of touch and smell may be taken away, baby can use their eyes and ears to explore things that have been previously unattainable: glitter, feathers, tinsel, gemstones, pom poms, pipe cleaners. Basically, if there were a craft monster and he coughed, these things would come out.
The beautiful thing about discovery bottles is its low-cost allure. All those extra bits and pieces at the bottom of your craft box? Put it in the bottle. Music making rice and bells? Put it in the bottle. All your life’s responsibilities and obligations? Bottle.
Caregiver Reception
Another program (that I am blogging months later), another success! Parents loved the flexibility and independence to choose a variety of supplies to fill their bottles. Just like during the 15 minutes of playtime after my storytime, I find that many caregivers are fervently seeking social connections. While I start the program with a brief overview, a couple early childhood development tips, and instructions, the rest of the program is free-flowing and open for conversation.
I also provided the option to create a calming glitter discovery bottle which many parents and babies enjoyed. (To save money) The proportions are about half a bottle of glue, half water, 1-2 drops of food color, and about 1-2 tablespoons of glitter. Stick with silver glitter, especially if you are dying the water. I’ve heard that hot water allows easier mixing, if that is an option for you. BE ALERT: Parents may want to furiously shake the bottle upside down, as they have much practice, but let them know that the seal is not impenetrable and water may leak out.
Cost
- 48 plastic Voss water bottles ($1.34 per bottle) = $64.32
- Supplies, esp. clear Elmer’s glue = $107.50
- ROI (cost per attendee) = $2.15
Supplies list
- Voss water bottles (Gatorade and Sobe water bottles also work really well. Just make sure the plastic is think and sturdy)
- Feathers
- Rice and funnel
- Clear Elmer’s glue (about one half per bottle)
- Glitter and funnels
- Food Dye
- Pom poms
- Foam objects and letters
- Tinsel
- Pipe Cleaners
- Random stuff out of the craft closet
- Hot glue gun (operated by a volunteer)
Things to keep in mind as a library program…
You can find a wide variety of baby crafts on blogs and in books but they take on a whole new level of finesse when provided to a room full of babies. To avoid exorbitant costs, I try and restrict my crafts to have ONE component that I will purchase for each individual baby. For this craft, it was the bottles.
You will need to call upon the aid of your coworkers as much water was drunk and much skin was hydrated.
Library Bonanza 
