How to make a glitter jar!

When kids come into my play therapy office for the first time, they love checking out all of the new toys. One of their favorites is the glitter jar. These jars goes by several names (sensory jar, calming jar) and you’ve probably seen them before. Mine is golden yellow and swirls with silver glitter each time I shake it up. My clients love to play with the glitter jar during sessions and even get to make one of their own to take home.

I love a glitter jar for many reasons. Here are a few:

• Playing with a glitter jar helps children with emotion regulation during tough moments. Looking at the glitter jar and taking deep breaths helps to ground them. If your kiddo gets anxious on the way to their soccer game or on the way to school, encourage them to bring along the glitter jar to help them calm their worries.

• Playing with a glitter jar is a mood booster! If your child has a tough time waking up in the morning and feeling motivated to get ready for the day, try placing their glitter jar next to their bed so they see it when they wake up. Watching the glitter swirl and settle can be a simultaneously calming and energizing way to start the day.

• Playing with a glitter jar is soothing. If your child is feeling sad, looking at the glitter jar can be comforting while they sit with their sad feelings.

• Making a glitter jar with your child is a great bonding activity! While experimenting with different colors and glitter combinations, you can talk about the times when playing with the glitter jar could be helpful or fun.

A play therapist’s recipe for a glitter jar

Gather your supplies:

• Plastic jar (or glass jar if you have older kids and trust that they won’t drop it or throw it). Old water bottles work well. Michaels and Amazon sell plastic bottles for a reasonable price.

• Clear school glue

• Food coloring

• Glitter (it’s fun to have at least two different sizes or colors of glitter)

• Warm water

• Hot glue or super glue for sealing the lid

Make your glitter jar:

1. Fill the bottle with warm water, leaving 1-2 inches at the top

2. Pour in clear glue, leaving 1/4 inch at the top (to leave room for glitter)

3. Mix with a long spoon handle

4. Add food coloring (Starting with 3 drops at first. This is a great opportunity to practice limit setting, as your kiddo may want to add lots of color and glitter.)

5. Add glitter (starting with 3 spoonfuls, increasing to 6 total- or as many spoonfuls as you feel comfortable with.)

6. Stir

7. If needed, add more water to fill up the jar completely

8. Hot glue the threading on the bottle where the lid fits in (just a thin layer will be enough). Quickly screw on the lid and let the hot glue set. (Could also use super glue if you have it handy).

My recipe is adapted from this blog post.

If your child is struggling with emotion regulation and big worries, play therapy can help! You can learn more about my play therapy services on my website. You can schedule a free phone consultation on my website, or email me at brightdaystherapy@gmail.com

Bright Days Ahead: Counseling and Play Therapy is located in Clayton, MO. Rachel Zahniser, LPC specializes in anxiety and trauma therapy for kids and teens who are big feelers and sensitive souls. I work with families throughout the St. Louis area including: Clayton, University City, Ladue, Town and Country, Webster Groves, Creve Couer, Kirkwood, Richmond Heights, and Brentwood.