I am always on the lookout for hands-on literacy activities to keep my students engaged. This rainbow alphabet sensory bottle with free letter tracing printables is a quick and easy way to strengthen letter recognition and handwriting skills all in one interactive activity! It’s the perfect way to add some sensory fun to your literacy centers.
*Pair with our Alphabet Centers & Activities for Pre-K & Kindergarten!
Alphabet Sensory Bottle
After making a giant sensory bin of colored rice, I’ve been trying to find as many uses for all of that pretty sensory filler. Already it’s been great for art projects, as an addition to classroom play dough kits, used in DIY shaker eggs, and also a rainbow rice writing tray – so it was time that we used some of our rainbow rice stash to make some sensory bottles!
This sensory bottle couldn’t be easier to throw together (once you’ve made the rainbow rice, of course). It just takes three materials and the letter tracing printables to provide an awesome, hands-on literacy activity in the classroom.
We’ve also made rainbow barley and that would work wonderfully as well! Just use whatever material you have on hand or is cheapest when you go to pick up supplies.
Rainbow Letters Sensory Search
Our Rainbow Letter Tracing Printables are pretty versatile – they can be used with this sensory bottle, or you can pair them with a large rainbow alphabet sensory bin, or just on their own with a bucket of markers.
Even if you plan on printing one off for each student, I would recommend laminating the sheets or putting them in dry erase pockets so they can be wiped off and used again and again.
If the printables are just going to be used with the sensory bottle, just print off one and keep it with the bottle at a literacy center.
The colors of the letter beads can come into play as well – adding a color identification element (and also encouraging kids to switch up the markers and have a bit more fun with this activity).
Students can try to find all of the letters – or you could place challenges alongside the activity (which is great if they will have limited time with the material), such as:
- How many vowels can you find?
- Can you find all the letters in your name?
- Can you find more letters than the last time you used this sensory bottle?
RELATED RESOURCE: Alphabet Writing Centers
How to Make a Rainbow Alphabet Sensory Bottle
First, gather your materials:
- Clear plastic bottle
- Rainbow rice
- Alphabet beads
- Glue, optional for securing lid
- Funnel
Simply funnel your rainbow rice into your sensory bin until filled 3/4 of the way. Add in the letter beads and twist on the lid.
Shake the sensory bottle to determine if more rice should be added – you want the letters to be able to move freely, which they won’t be able to do if the rice is too packed.
Secure the lid with glue to prevent curiosity-caused messes!
Grab Your FREE Printables
Grab your free letter tracing printables (they come in both uppercase and lowercase) to go along with your own rainbow alphabet sensory bottle by clicking the large, yellow download button at the very end of the post!
Even More Rainbow Learning Fun
Then, for tons more rainbow-themed fun, hop over and check out these awesome activities from some of my favorite kid bloggers!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Rainbow Color Words Playdough Mats // Literacy with the Littles
Rainbow Shamrocks Color Sorting and Fine Motor Activity // Stay at Home Educator
Teen Number Rainbow Clip Cards // Recipe for Teaching
Rainbow Counting Puzzles // The Kindergarten Connection
Rainbow Money Match // The Simplified Classroom
Rainbow ABC Sensory Bottle with Printable // The Kindergarten Connection
Compound Words Matching Activity // Sara J. Creations
Editable Rainbow Secret Code Word Cards // Fun Learning for Kids
CVC Words Rainbow Match Up // The Primary Post
Roll a Rainbow // Teach Me Mommy
Rainbow Bear Sorting Mats // Fairy Poppins
Rainbow Unicorn Toothpaste Science Experiment // Science Kiddo
Make a Rainbow with Playdough Printable // Powerful Mothering
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