Social Emotional Learning Art Projects: I Spy Bottle Craft

Helping children navigate big emotions like anger, frustration, or sadness can feel like a daunting task for caregivers. But with the right tools, like the I Spy bottle, children can learn to manage and regulate their feelings in a fun and interactive way. This simple yet effective craft provides both a calming distraction and a valuable opportunity for emotional growth. To understand how this craft supports emotional regulation, we spoke with Tom Timmerman, LSW, a Parent Navigator at Sanford Children’s CHILD Services, who shared his expert insights on how the I Spy bottle can help children cope with overwhelming emotions and develop healthy emotional habits.

Helping Children Manage Big Emotions

Toddlers understand so little but want to understand and do so much! This creates tension they are not capable of handling. Preschoolers/elementary children are more capable but still run into their own limitations or parental restrictions causing frustration. Tom explains, “When we have emotions running too high, we will have ‘blow-ups’ or ‘tantrums.’ Yelling, bribing, pleading, threatening, or lecturing are very unlikely to make the situation better.” This is where tools like the I Spy bottle can help. “Having tools for de-escalation and/or distraction are our best hope for learning to regulate emotions,” says Tom. The I Spy bottle offers a fun way for children to calm down, focus, and re-center when emotions are running high.

Creating a Cozy Spot with the I Spy Bottle

One of the best ways to support emotional regulation is by creating a “cozy spot” – a safe space where children can retreat when they feel overwhelmed. Tom highlights the importance of this, saying, “A child choosing to take time in a 'cozy spot' is an incredible display of emotional awareness along with openness to learning to manage those emotions.” Incorporating sensory tools like the I Spy bottle into this space can enhance its calming effect. “Having a sensory item that can provide input through touch, sight, and/or sound provides two beneficial elements for upset children: time and distraction,” says Tom. The bottle’s shifting colors and hidden objects can help children take a break and re-focus their minds. A cozy spot with a calming tool like the I Spy bottle gives children the opportunity to relax and work through moments that might be overwhelming or overstimulating. “Even just taking a moment to relax and work through overwhelming/overstimulating moments is good,” Tom highlights. Combining these is a great way to help children feel safe and calm during emotional moments.

Promoting Emotional Regulation Through the I Spy Bottle

Emotional regulation starts with raising awareness of your own feelings and verbalizing them. Verbalize the feelings your child is unable to identify. Use evidence such as their tone of voice, facial expressions and other body language. Encourage them to recognize uncomfortable feelings. The process of making and using an I Spy bottle helps children build emotional regulation skills. “Building a sensory item often allows us to get into some various textures that provide sensory stimulation as we are putting the materials together,” says Tom. This hands-on activity helps children focus on something other than their intense emotions. “Once the item has been made, we have a tangible item that represents how caregivers are working with their child to help them manage big feelings,” says Tom. The act of shaking the bottle and looking for objects inside provides a visual distraction and can help calm the mind. Caregivers can guide children in using the bottle during moments of distress. “Caregivers can offer this as a solution anytime their child seems like they could use stimulation or if they seem they could use a mood boost,” Tom suggests. Whether the child uses the bottle alone or with a caregiver, it’s a great way to offer comfort and distraction in tough moments.

Calming Activities and Sensory Tools for Self-Regulation

Calming activities like using the I Spy bottle play a crucial role in helping children develop self-regulation skills. “Using items for calming brings the idea of calming out of the abstract and into the concrete,” explains Tom. Having a tangible item like the I Spy bottle helps children shift their focus away from the stressor and onto something calming. To encourage children to use calming tools, caregivers can model the behavior. “Caregivers can use role-playing and modeling to show their child how calming activities and sensory tools can help with challenging feelings,” Tom suggests. This can also be done by incorporating calming practices into the child’s daily routine. Tom recommends practicing these calming activities before, during, or after transitions, as this is when children might struggle the most with their emotions. “Taking a quick time out to use a tool or other calming strategy before allowing them to transition to screen time, play time, bath time, or any other part of their day they are looking forward to,” explains Tom.

Reinforcing the Use of the I Spy Bottle

As with any new skill, it’s important for caregivers to reinforce the use of the I Spy bottle and other calming techniques over time. Praise is key! “Praise children for any efforts you see them making to self-regulate,” Tom advises. This positive reinforcement encourages children to continue using the tools that help them manage their emotions. Caregivers can also encourage children to independently use the I Spy bottle whenever they need it. “Help them to be aware of how they are able to calm down and how quickly they are able to get back to playing or spending time with their caregiver,” says Tom. This teaches children that they have the ability to manage their emotions and cope with difficult situations on their own.

The I Spy bottle is more than just a fun craft – it’s a valuable tool for helping children manage their big emotions. By creating and using this sensory item, children can develop emotional regulation skills that will benefit them for years to come. With the right support from caregivers, children can learn to use the I Spy bottle to self-soothe, build emotional awareness, and foster a sense of calm during challenging moments.