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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PreschoolPalace
October 7, 2011 at 5:32 PMWhere is the cinnamon!?!?!? My favorite! Great idea – LOVE Montessori, thanks!
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Stacy@{share and remember}
October 7, 2011 at 6:16 PMYou’re right! I need to add a cinnamon one too!
Duey and Kandace
October 9, 2011 at 2:55 PMStormy!:)
Alicia
October 9, 2011 at 4:43 PMI 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.
Ms. Amber
October 14, 2011 at 3:34 PM🙂 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?
Stacy@{ShareandRemember}
December 13, 2012 at 3:47 AMNo, I printed them on my computer.
39198ef6-cdfe-11e1-bbe2-000bcdcb8a73
July 14, 2012 at 9:52 PMLove 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!!!
Stacy@{ShareandRemember}
December 13, 2012 at 3:46 AMThe scents last quite a while – we had ours out for a couple of weeks.
Lydia
March 19, 2015 at 1:50 PMCould you post a link to your printables?
Deana
December 27, 2015 at 6:40 AMPleae will you send me the link for the lables for the smelling bottles. Can’t wait to try this actiivity
Stacy
January 14, 2016 at 8:18 AMI have updated the post with a printable copy of the labels. I didn’t have it available in the past.
zohaib
March 23, 2015 at 2:28 PMgreat post so good luc, nice to meet you
Jaclyn
July 23, 2015 at 2:17 PMpeople 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.
Kim
August 16, 2015 at 7:06 PMI made scent bottles, too. I made them out of empty elmers glue bottles.
Stacy
August 18, 2015 at 7:55 AMThat’s a great idea!
Alice
September 23, 2015 at 10:50 AMI was wondering how many drops you put on the cotton wool to make it smell strong enough?
Stacy
October 14, 2015 at 8:03 AMI 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.
Talita
January 27, 2016 at 1:19 PMThis is a wonderful sensory activity idea that can be adapted for people living wth dementia. Loveky!
Maria
March 14, 2018 at 4:40 PMNice to be here, good work to see here
abbie
July 22, 2015 at 6:16 PMHow long does the smell last for?