Rainbow I Spy Bottle

Ever since those I Spy bottles came out in the market (sold at places like Barnes and Noble) creative parents have successfully found ways to make them for a fraction of the cost. On the web there hundreds of themes and ideas on how to make them. The ideas are truly endless. My first one I just used a recycled water bottle, small toys, buttons, rocks, etc and leftover sand from "A's" sand collection (more on that on a later post). It was a great game to bring on a recent road trip, but now he has promptly lost it. Today I had decided to make another bottle using leftover rainbow colored rice. I had colored the rice using food coloring and rubbing alcohol in Ziplock backs (about 4 squirts of alcohol and enough food coloring for color you want). Next time I will make the sand a little more vibrant! At the end of the school year I had a 5th grade class make mandalas using the rainbow rice instead of colored sand as a way to save money. Although I love the students creations I wish I would have splurged on the sand.

5th Grade Mandala Project

For awhile, I had the colored sand in a storage bin with a lid for sensory play for "A", but it was time for a change. I had "A" find twenty items that would fit in a bottle that fit a rainbow theme. I took a picture of the items and will print it out on cardstock so he remembers what he is searching for. When he can read I will write out the items to search for. Then fill it up with rice. You can glue the cap down if you think your little one will open it up and make a mess. I can't wait to make an ABC one for "A" to search for.

What we chose to search for (it's hard to find miniature stuff)

Fill up with sand partially then place items. Keep repeating process

Finished bottle. Every thing is hidden waiting to be spied!

Make your own "I Spy" book

I am not sure if you are familiar with the I Spy books by Walter Wick, but I am sure everyone has played a search-and-find game at some time in their life. If you haven't seen the Walter Wick books (or something similar) check them out. All kids love them from preschool, elementary, and beyond. I can't keep them stocked at my school library.

A Walter Wick Creation

Over at Pink and Green Mama she has shown us all how to make our own. Everyone must check out this creative woman's blog, she is a true inspiration. Inspire me is just what she did, so "A" got busy finding and sorting toys the color of the rainbow. This was great hidden way to teach sorting and colors. Once we got a good pile of each, I laid them on one of  "A's" shirt that are of the same color we were focusing on (Pink/Green Mama used scarves). Then I took close-up photos of each color:

Red Toys

Our Orange Discoveries

Yellow Finds (notice the Lemonhead)

We had tons of green things

Lot's of blue things too (wondering if this is gender related)

You can make each picture a page in a book and bind it, but I found we don't have a lot of toys of each color, so I decided to make just an "I Spy" page by putting all the pictures together on a Word doc. Then I chose things for "A" to search for. I made it a little difficult because I was afraid if it was too easy he would look it over, and throw it away never to be played again. Plus, now he has to use problem solving skills. He loves it and he tries to stump his friends and grandparents all the time.

Our finished "I Spy" page