DIY: Glowing Jellyfish Sensory Bottle

DIYs » Stem Activities » Chemistry » Age 3 - 5 » Glowing Jellyfish

Glowing Jellyfish Sensory Bottle

Stem Activities

Ages: 3-5

Less than 30 minutes

Grownup needed

Save PDF

Create a magical glowing jellyfish sensory bottle using recycled materials to simulate deep-sea effects, while exploring the science of density!

Materials Needed

Plastic
Bottle
Food colouring
Water
Disposable gloves
Scissors
Torch

Laid out on a light wood-grain table are several items, seemingly for a craft or science project. These include a clear plastic bottle partially filled with water, a small bottle of blue liquid, a folded piece of clear plastic sheeting, a small clear measuring cup with a small amount of liquid inside, and a pair of blue-handled scissors.

Step-by-step tutorial

Step 1

Using scissors, cut off one finger from the disposable glove.

Two hands are shown cutting a piece of clear plastic sheeting with a pair of blue-handled scissors. The sheeting is gathered and held by one hand while the other hand operates the scissors, cutting through the plastic against a light wood-grain background.

Step 2

Pour 20ml of water into the cut glove finger.

Two hands are shown pouring liquid from a small, clear measuring cup onto a piece of clear plastic sheeting. The sheeting is held taut between the hands, and the liquid is being poured onto its center. The background is a light wood-grain surface.

Step 3

Tie a knot at the open end of the glove finger.

Two hands hold a small, clear plastic pouch filled with a clear liquid. The pouch is tied off at the top with a knot, which one hand is pinching and twisting. The background is a light wood-grain surface.

Step 4

Cut the sealed end into strips with scissors.

A hand holds a small, clear, water-filled plastic pouch tied at the top. A pair of scissors is positioned to trim the excess plastic just below the knot. The background is a light wood-grain surface.

Step 5

Next, add 3-4 drops of food colouring to the water-filled plastic bottle.

Two hands are adding blue coloring to a clear plastic bottle partially filled with water. One hand holds the bottle while the other squeezes blue dye from a small bottle with a nozzle tip into the water, creating swirls of color. The background is a light wood-grain surface.

Step 6

Finally, place the glove jellyfish into the plastic bottle and secure the lid tightly.

A hand places a crumpled piece of clear plastic sheeting into the opening of a clear plastic bottle containing blue liquid. The bottle cap is held between the fingers of the hand inserting the plastic. In the background, a blurred, decorated beaker with googly eyes and blue liquid is visible. The items are on a light wood-grain surface.

Step 7

Turn on your mobile phone torch and place it on the table. Hold the bottle upside down until the glove jellyfish floats to the bottle's neck. Then quickly flip the bottle right-side-up with its base over the torch, and watch how the jellyfish moves.

A clear plastic water bottle filled with liquid is illuminated from below by a vibrant blue light against a pitch-black background. A small, jellyfish-like object made of a thin, translucent material drifts and moves gently with the currents of the liquid inside the bottle. The blue light creates a dramatic visual, emphasizing the object and the contents of the bottle.

The Science Behind It:

The jellyfish made from the plastic glove contains air, and since air and plastic have a lower density than water, the jellyfish rises and floats to the surface. 😊

Who Are We?

We’re a passionate team of scientists, engineers, and educators dedicated to delivering hands-on fun. Our mission is to inspire creativity and confidence in the next generation of young innovators.