For our “My Amazing Body” theme, I made some Smelling Sensory Bottles. Although my version doesn’t really follow the traditional Montessori method because I labeled the jars and it’s not really a matching activity, the kids have really enjoyed them.
It all kind of started with this pickle relish container I put out for the kids to use in the kitchen area. The kids like the flip top cap – which is now missing. I observed them opening the lid, squeezing the bottle near someone’s nose and saying “Smell the fresh air.” So funny! It did not smell like fresh air! Pickle relish! A couple of the parents didn’t think it was pleasant either!
I used spice containers found at our grocery store by the bulk spices. $1.59 each. There’s one cotton ball in each container with an essential oil or extract on it. Essential oils are preferred but I used what I had available. Our scents include:
Stormy got in on the action too and got to smell them all. He didn’t really appreciate it but it was super cute to watch!
Smelling Bottle Scents
Vanilla: this one is an oil used for scenting soaps from Hobby Lobby
Cherry: cherry extract. It smells very much like cherry cough syrup! This one is a give away because it’s red.
Almond: Almond extract or almond oil
Cucumber: Cucumber Melon essential oil
Grapefruit: essential oil
Peppermint: essential oil
Lavender: essential oil
My one little girl, amongst all the boys, declared one of the scents “
FREE LABELS Smelling Sensory Bottle Labels CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
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Where is the cinnamon!?!?!? My favorite! Great idea – LOVE Montessori, thanks!
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You’re right! I need to add a cinnamon one too!
Stormy!:)
I love that you used natural scents! Every children’s museum we’ve visited has these but they’re always with the obviously artificial scents that are so chemical-laden and nauseating.
🙂 In my cleaning yesterday I came a bag of film canisters I had forgotten about. Was just thinking this morning that I’d turn them into smelling containers. I think I will turn it into a matching game. Did you use your Silhoutte machine for the labels on your spice jars?
No, I printed them on my computer.
Love the idea …. How long did you find the fragrance to last? I’m thinking 3-4 days? I would love to do this as an activity in my science area for preschool!!!
The scents last quite a while – we had ours out for a couple of weeks.
Could you post a link to your printables?
Pleae will you send me the link for the lables for the smelling bottles. Can’t wait to try this actiivity
I have updated the post with a printable copy of the labels. I didn’t have it available in the past.
great post so good luc, nice to meet you
people in the comments were talking about cinnamon. I just want people planning on doing this to know that cinnamon powder is dangerous when inhaled, so please make your sensory activities safely since it is such a great smell.
I made scent bottles, too. I made them out of empty elmers glue bottles.
That’s a great idea!
I was wondering how many drops you put on the cotton wool to make it smell strong enough?
I don’t recall specifically but I’d add a good amount to soak the cotton ball without dripping out of the container. Then the scent will last longer.
This is a wonderful sensory activity idea that can be adapted for people living wth dementia. Loveky!
Nice to be here, good work to see here
How long does the smell last for?