Musical Shaker Bottles for Baby
Fill sealed bottles with rice, bells, and beads to create shake-and-listen sensory toys your baby can grab and explore safely.
What You'll Need
- 13 clean plastic bottles with caps
- 2Dry rice
- 3Small jingle bells
- 4Dried pasta
- 5Super glue
- 6Duct tape
What You'll Need
3 clean plastic bottles with tight-fitting caps
Dry rice
Small jingle bells
Dried pasta (small shapes like macaroni)
Super glue
Duct tape
How to Play
Gather three clean, dry plastic bottles with caps that screw on tightly.
Fill the first one-third full with dry rice, the second with small jingle bells, and the third with dried pasta.
Super-glue each cap shut, then wrap the seal with duct tape for extra security.
Shake each bottle near your baby's ear and watch how they react to the different sounds.
Hand one bottle to your baby and let them shake, roll, and mouth the outside safely.
Place all three in a row and see which sound your baby reaches for first.
Shake a bottle and pause — see if your baby tries to imitate the shaking motion.
Tips
Check the seals before every use. If tape loosens or the cap feels wobbly, repair or replace immediately.
Use small water bottles rather than large ones — easier for small hands to grip.
Wrap the bottles in colored electrical tape to add a visual element and extra grip.
The rice bottle makes a soft shushing sound, bells make a bright jingle, and pasta gives a chunky rattle — this teaches your baby that different materials create different sounds.
Once your baby can sit independently, these shakers become a full-body music activity. Expect bouncing.
Age Adaptation Tips
For babies, focus on sensory exploration. Let them watch, touch, and feel the materials. Always supervise closely and keep small items out of reach.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this activity take?
This activity takes about 10 min, with 10 min of preparation time beforehand.
What materials do I need?
You'll need: 3 clean plastic bottles with caps, dry rice, small jingle bells, dried pasta, super glue, and 1 more item.
What age is this activity for?
This activity is designed for 0-1 years. You can adapt it for younger or older children by adjusting the complexity.
Can this be done indoors?
This activity is designed for indoor play, making it perfect for rainy days or when you're staying inside.
How difficult is this activity?
This is an easy activity that requires minimal setup and supervision. Great for busy days or when you need something quick.
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