Home » Parenting & Kids » Toddlers » Toddler Games

Creating I Spy Bottles

Ranked #188 in Parenting & Kids, #7,172 overall

I Spy with my Little Eye...

My brother and I passed many miles in the car playing "I spy with my little eye something that begins with A, B, C..." Sometimes we would switch it up and spy things with a color theme. Over the years I've used that simple game in Sunday School, preschool classes or just at home with my kids. I Spy bottles are a twist on this classic game. Making an I Spy bottle is an easy toddler craft to do and each bottle can be customized to fit any theme or holiday.  Once made, the bottles can be enjoyed over and over again.  Here you will find how to make I Spy bottles, options for fillers and objects, and other fun I Spy game ideas.

I Spy ABC Bottles

Perfect for letter of the week themes

Create a custom set of 26 alphabet-themed I Spy bottles. Use these to introduce new letters of the alphabet for young learners.


Photobucket

First find objects, or print photos that start with the letter.


Photobucket

Next, pick what type of filler you would like to use. In this example, I colored lentils with food coloring to be "dots" for our letter D bottle. You can get complete directions for dyeing lentils, pasta and rice in the How to Dye Pasta and Rice article by Sara at Totally Tots.


Photobucket

Place everything into a clean, dry, plastic bottle. Be sure to only fill the bottle about 3/4 full so that the contents can easily move around. I also glue the lid on so that it cannot be opened by curious little folks.

Alphabet Objects Kit

Alphabet Objects Kit

Amazon Price: $45.95 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

I Spy...Christmas

I_spy_bottlesmaterialsI have been setting aside games, puzzles, craft ideas and recipes that I would like to do with my children, or have available for my kids to use during the Christmas season. One activity that I have on hand are Christmas I Spy Bottles. I have several versions made ahead of time that I can pull out on those snowy days when we need a fun activity to occupy our time. Here is how I made them:

Supplies:

plastic bottles
10-20 small Christmas objects for each bottle (I used Christmas buttons and miniature Christmas ornaments)
plastic craft pellets (see other options below)
Super Glue or other strong-holding glue
ribbon(optional)

Filler Options:

birdseed
rice
sand
salt
sugar
plastic pellets
lentils
small pasta

Steps:

I_spy_bottles_Christmas1. Make sure you have a clean, dry, plastic bottle with the label removed.

2. (optional) Take a photo of the items that will be placed in the bottle. This can be printed and attached to the bottle as a reference card.

3. Pour some of the filler material in the bottle. Then drop some of the objects in the bottle. Repeat until all the items are in the bottle. Only fill the bottle about 3/4 full The objects need room to mix around and move.

4. Glue the lid in place with a strong glue.

5. Decorate with a ribbon (optional) or if you didn't take a photo of the objects, type a list and attach it with ribbon or string around the neck of the bottle.

Once the glue is dry, children can gently shake and rotate the bottle to try to find the objects.

Currently I have three Christmas I Spy bottles made. One contains all the figures of the Nativity, and the other two have the components found below.

I-spy_cards_ChristmasI_spy_bottles_Christmas2

Loading

Items to Put in I Spy Bottles

I-Spy_bottle_cards_ocean


I Spy bottles can be made to coordinate with any theme or holiday ---or can be totally random. Here is just a sample of what could be put in the bottles:

  • mini erasers

  • small items from the junk drawer

  • sea shells

  • different types of nails, screws, washers, nuts and bolts

  • speciality buttons

  • regular buttons

  • miniature ornaments--they come in all types of themes

  • letter tiles

  • beads

  • plastic jewels


    • and the list goes on!
    The Water Hole

    The Water Hole

    by: Graeme Base

    Amazon Price: $13.61 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    One of my favorite books to share with my children is The Water Hole by Graeme Base. At first glance it does not appear to be anything more than a counting book---but the pictures warrant a second look. Graeme Base's illustrations are outstanding and there are many clues hidden on the pages that the reader must search for. This is an all-time favorite here and a book worth getting for your storytime collection. A different twist on "I Spy".

    More Examples of I Spy Bottles

    I_spy_bottles_Christmas3
    Rainbow I Spy Bottles
    Examples of bottles based on a color theme.
    Bottles from 4 Crazy Kings
    Another example of bottles created with a color theme.
    I Spy bottles from Making Learning Fun
    Bottles based on the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear
    Sensory Bottles and I Spy Bottles
    There are many ideas found at this site. Good examples of ABC and story I Spy bottles.
    Example from Growing in Peace
    Shows photos of an I Spy bottle and how to make colored rice.
    The Imagination Tree: Hide and Seek Bottle
    Example of how to color rice plus what their I Spy bottle looked like.
    Do It Yourself Eye Spy Bag | No Time For Flash Cards
    Make your own eye spy bag then let your child squish and find !
    Pink and Green Mama: Halloween Eye Spy Bottle
    Example of making a Halloween-themed Eye Spy Bottle.
    I can teach my child!: "I Spy"
    I Spy bottles are a great quiet time activity or you can make it for a very inexpensive gift for a child in your life!
    Counting Coconuts: Homemade I Spy Bottles & Tutorial
    More examples of how to make various I Spy bottles.

    I Spy Printables

    ispypicture
    Coloring Page from Crayola
    Print an I Spy coloring page from Crayola.
    Printable I Spy Cards
    Collection of photos that you can print or use on-line to play I Spy.
    Hidden Pictures from Highlights Magazine
    Printable hidden picture scenes.
    Printable Hidden Picture Games
    A spin on I Spy, these printables have children looking for objects hidden in the pictures.
    I Spy Eagle Eye

    I Spy Eagle Eye

    Amazon Price: $12.98 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    Want a game all ages enjoy playing? Consider I Spy Eagle Eye! It is a wonderful addition to family game nights. In this game players must find the object that the card shows, on their own gameboards and be the first to ring the bell. Loads of fun for everyone!

    I Spy---Online Games

    I SPY Online Games by Scholastic
    Six different online games for various age-levels.
    I Spy the Alphabet! Online game from About.com/Homeschooling
    Practice your alphabet by playing this fun game. Click on a letter, then find the objects in the picture.

    I Spy Bean Bags

    Ispybag



    For a fun twist, try I Spy bean bags. These bags are basically bean-bags with a vinyl window where the child moves the beads around to find the hidden objects. This is a great activity for in the car, to carry in your purse to pull out at appointments to keep children occupied, or to use at home. Not only does it challenge childrens' observation skills, but also is a good fine-motor skill activity since they are moving the objects around with their fingers.

    My Crafty Mom shares step-by-step instructions on how to make your own I Spy Bean Bags.

    Now I'm not one who sews, so I purchased mine on Etsy. They are so adorable! I am using them as Christmas gifts.
    Be Amazing ABC Eye Spy Bag

    Be Amazing ABC Eye Spy Bag

    Amazon Price: $13.26 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    I Spy.....Comments!

    submit
    Show All

    About Spell Outloud

    Loading

    by

    SpellOutloud

    I am a former elementary school teacher and I currently have a classroom of 6 at home. I enjoy digital scrapbooking and photography,and many of the photos... more »

    Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

    Explore related pages

    Related Tags