Friday, June 12, 2009

i-spy bottles

I-Spy bottles are a lot of fun to make!

I personally liked the colors and shape of the Walmart flavored water bottles so we used those.... after they were completely dried out, of course. You can google "i-spy bottles" and find a lot of great ideas. The i-spy items came from the Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby and whatever I could find around the house.

Hayes loved separating everything out and making sure each bottle had just the right items. All three kids thought it was awesome to pour the rice in through the paper funnel. Like, totally awesome. Like, I swept up enough rice to feed half the neighborhood awesome.

It's important to not pour the rice (or birdseed) all the way to the top. You will want to leave enough space so everything can move around. Next comes the most important tip... superglue the lid shut.

I printed off simple labels showing the items to spy inside the bottle.

17 tellin' me what I want to hear!:

Jessi said...

What a SUPER NEAT idea! Where did you find the bottles/idea/etc? How much fun did the kids have making them, huh?

Amanda Barefoot said...

that is such a cute idea!

Jane Anne said...

My oldest son made one of these in class this year at school as a present for dad. Everyone still plays with it (dad included!). These bottles are so much fun.
Great pictures!

RLR said...

What a great idea! I'll have to get some of that water the next time I'm at Le Mart de Wal. My kids are VERY into I SPY right now, which is really hard for me to play while I'm driving (their favorite time to play!). I will DEFINITELY be making these....

Jessi said...

Thanks for posting additional detail...I will definitely be adding these to the kids' new 'craft box' (idea de Joy). No doubt Josiah's favorite will also be to fill the bottles. ;-)

LauraD said...

We made these as one of our VBS crafts last year. They were a hit.

Dion said...

These are great! You always have great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Minnie said...

So.. that is what those bottles were in your car! How fun.. does it keep them content for long?

Katie L said...

What a great idea!

Cindi said...

Cool stuff...I'll have to try it this summer.

Melisa said...

I sewed together some cloth ones. Makes them very portable! But Daven keeps wanting me to talk out the penny...

Sara said...

Looks and sounds fun - never thought of it before. We'll have to try it soon!

Nicole Taylor said...

This is an amazing idea. I used it while I was babysitting and the little girl loved it. Great for many ages!

Unknown said...

I made these with my children but we dyed the rice first. It's very easy. Put uncooked rice into a zip lock bag filling the bag only half full. You want to leave room for the rice to be able to move. Add 2 table spoon 90% or higher rubbing alcohol. Higher the percent the faster your rice will dry. Add several drops off food coloring. Close and shake bag working the color throughout. Add food coloring until desired color is achieved. Spread the rice into a single layer on a cookie sheet and let dry. Take no time at all! Use different bags and cookie sheet for each color. After did mix as desired.

Butterfly75 said...

I can't read the photo to see what items are on the tag that you put into the bottle. Can you please tell us for us old fogies who can't strain their eyes any further? Thanks!! SUPER cute idea. Thinking about doing a station of these for my son's birthday party.

Unknown said...

I might be being a bit dense here but do you hide the items inside the bottle?

Unknown said...

I reckon they become hidden and then visible again only to be hidden again each time the bottle is tipped and turned.
No need to hide them initially, it will just happen with each hunting adventure.

 
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