For the last few weeks in science my kids have been learning about our Solar System. We have studied the Sun, Moon, stars, planets, and other bodies in the Solar System. It has been a lot of fun teaching and seeing them get so excited about our Solar System! I was trying to come up with a fun craft project while we were studying stars and I was in the middle of brainstorming how to get my kids to brush their teeth long enough. I put both things together and came up with this…
Since my Relax Bottle/Time Out Timer has been so popular lately I decided a small glow in the dark version would be a fun Star Jar craft! Then I thought, what if I time it at one minute to settle so it can also be a Teeth-Brushing Timer also?! Two birds with one stone right? 🙂
Materials:
1 small plastic bottle (I got mine at a craft store for a dollar)
3 Tablespoons of glow in dark glitter glue
1 Tablespoon of neon ultra fine glitter
2 heaping Tablespoons of clear gel glue
Warm water to fill
First I let the kids help put all of the ingredients except the water in the jar. Then I filled it about 2/3 full of really warm water from the tap. I shook until it all dissolved. Then I filled the rest of the way with water. After drying off the top I super glued them shut for safety. I don’t want my kids to be able to open them. They will settle faster when the water is warm than when they come to room temperature. Once the super glue is dry and they come to room temperature our bottles were pretty close to a minute settle time.
Once settled they stay pretty milky at the top, I think that is from the glow in the dark glitter glue.
My kids didn’t care though because in the dark they look awesome for Star Jars!
Then settled in the dark (with a small black light so I could take better pics).
It was simple and fun to make, my kids love them and they are functional too! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Johanna
My Crazy Blessed Life! 
I LOVE this idea! I must see if I can get hold of some glow in the dark glitter glue and neon paint.and then I can try this with my kids. Thank you for sharing this! 🙂
This is such a great idea! Love it.
Reblogged this on Artsymom's Balancing Act and commented:
Another fun jar project that is multi-functional. Can’t wait to make with the kids!
Brilliant Idea 🙂 Thanks for sharing
How long will it glow? days weeks hours?
don’t have any kids (yet), but i love this idea! Definitely going to have to try it!
This can do double-duty as a night light too. How long does the glow last? I would love to try this with my little one.
I just read about your time out bottle which sounds like a great idea for my three and a half year old who throws some terrible tantrums. I like this idea too for helping him fall asleep on his own but I would need it to last about 5 minutes. Any idea how to make it last that long?
I have pinned these to my Pinterest board for Crafts. These would be great crafts to do with my 10 year old. He loves helping me with projects to help with his little brother!
The more tacky glue you add the longer it takes for the glitter to settle. Good luck!
How long do they last? I want to make my daughter the time out version but am wondering how often you have to remake them. Does the glue start to clump?
I am in love with this idea! I’ve done the glitter jars before, but have wanted to do a glow-in-the-dark jar, and just could never find the right materials! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Neat! 🙂
very clever!
Where did you find the glo glue? I looked at michaels but they didnt have it.
Nevermind just enlarged the pic and saw the hobby lobby price tag right….
I’m going to use both of your jar ideas for my classroom… yes, they’re 8th graders!
What age group is this meant for?
What size bottle did you use (in ounces)?
Cub Scout project!!!!
@Stacey Karr. Great ideas here.
@Marti Ann Ramirez ~ she said it took about a minute for the glitter to settle, but if you put in more glue and less water, it will take longer to settle.
Would it make a difference if you used white glue instead of clear? Can’t find clear glue in my town. Has anyone tried it with white glue?
I have seen comments on her other blog where people have used clear Karo or clear dish soap to get the some effect…I haven’t made one yet, but plan to. Also, there was a comment someone made where they used blue gel Elmer’s glue and it made a sort of “watery” effect that they loved. Love this idea!
Yes — with white glue, the water gets milky/murky/cloudy, and you only see the glitter near the edge of the bottle — and it gets worse as you add glue to make it settle slower. I found the clear gel glue at my local WalMart in the school supplies section, and glitter glue at Michaels.
You might also make these to use as a “good night” tool–if you could get the settling to take more like five minutes. Shake it up, get in bed, turn off the light, and then watch the settling as a calm down and get ready to sleep routine.
I have no children or grandchildren. I do however make a lot of “treat bags’ for Halloween (up to 50 +/-). Would this be something I could make and hand out and what about making a smaller version? How long, {days, weeks, months etc,} do they last? If you do think it a good idea to hand out, what could I use to make it safe for all ages? Is there any kind of smaller bottle or plastic tube that could be used? What about a small toy inside to see as it settles?
BTW: By all ages I mean making sure the parents know it’s in there and what it is. I NEVER hand out anything, except for candy, without telling the parents it’s in there. I usually gather toys & party favors all year so I don’t have to buy them all at once. Most of the families around here knows to come to my home because as a young girl once told me, “you guys always hand out the neatest stuff”. I also don’t put an age limit on it.
Is there anyone in Australia doing these and the ‘time out’ ones? I’m having difficulty finding suitable materials.
I’m looking for thd recipe to calm down bottles.
https://mycrazyblessedlife.com/2011/10/03/relax-bottletime-out-timer/
Thank you Johanna,
I am excited to share with my preschooler’s!!