Inside: Mindfulness, or the ability to be fully present and aware, is an important skill for children to develop. In this post, learn how to make a glitter jar to promote mindfulness and calm in your home or classroom.
He stormed into my office, face hot and fists balled. I wasn’t surprised, as his teacher had called and told me he was on the way. Without speaking, he reached for a blue, glittery jar on the table, shook it, then set it back down. With a huff, he fell into a nearby bean bag chair.
I quietly continued working. He wasn’t ready to talk…yet.
Related: Anger Management Skills for Kids
How a Glitter Jar Can Help Kids Control Their Feelings
When kids are stressed, sad, or angry, the amygdala’s natural fight, flight, or freeze response kicks in, making rational decision-making nearly impossible.
Mindfulness gives kids space and time to calm down and pay attention to what is going on in their body and environment. Regularly practicing mindfulness reduces stress and increases wellness and self-control.
Glitter jars are a useful mindfulness tool at home and school. Watching the glitter swirl to the bottom of the jar gives kids time to calm down and regain control.
Related: Pink Glitter Jar Instructions
How to Make a Glitter Jar
It’s easy and fun to make glitter jars with kids. It’s a lovely project for kids who are learning about emotions and mindfulness.
At home, I’ve found glitter jars to be a very useful tool for managing behavior and time. After evening baths, I shake the jars and tell the boys, “Pajamas on and teeth brushed by the time the glitter settles.” They race against the glitter, and usually win! This is good for our family because the high-pitched ring of traditional kitchen timers upsets and startles my boys.
As an Elementary School Counselor, I use glitter jars with small groups of kids who are learning about feelings, anger management, or mindfulness. I keep one in the center of my table so when emotional kids visit my office, they can flip the jar and relax on a nearby cushion.
Related: Calming Jar
To Make This Calm Down Jar You Will Need
- Glass or plastic jars with lids
- 1/2 cup glitter glue or clear glue
- Distilled water
- Hot glue gun
- 1–2 teaspoons glitter (optional)
Directions for Glitter Jar
1. After gathering supplies, pour 1/2 cup of distilled water into the jar. We used 16-ounce glass mason jars, but plastic water bottles would work as well (and should be used for kids who are prone to throwing objects when they are angry).
Why distilled water? Unlike tap water, distilled water contains no contaminants or minerals and will help keep your glitter jars mold-free.
2. Invite kids to pour 1/2 cup of glitter glue or clear glue into the jar. If you use our exact ingredients and recipe, it will take about 2 minutes for the glitter to settle in the jar.
3. If you are choosing to do so, add 1–2 teaspoons of extra glitter to the jar.
4. Fill up the remainder of the jar with distilled water.
5. Use a hot glue gun to squeeze a ring of glue around the lid of the jar. Press the lid onto the jar and secure with the metal ring.
6. Shake the jar well to distribute the glitter. (It took many shakes and a rest overnight to convince the glue to disperse completely.)
How to Use a Glitter Jar
Before you give a glitter jar to a child, you must teach them how to use it. Invite your child to sit down comfortably. Encourage them to shift their gaze to the swirling glitter, breathing deeply in and out as they watch it sink to the bottom of the jar.
Next, invite them to notice the calm feeling moving through their body as they breathe. Perhaps their feet feel heavy and warm, and that feeling is moving up towards their shoulders. As they breathe, ask them to notice how their heartbeat feels steady and their body temperature feels just right. All the while breathing in…and out. As the glitter settles and the water clears, so will their thoughts, feelings, and body.
As the boy in my office watched the glitter, his breathing deepened and became more rhythmic. His expression softened as his fists relaxed. After 10 minutes, he asked for permission to get a drink.
He was ready to talk.
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How a Glitter Jar Can Help Kids Control Their Feelings
Mindfulness, or the ability to be fully present and aware, is an important skill for children to develop. In this post, learn how to make a glitter jar to promote mindfulness and calm in your home or classroom.
Materials
- Glass or plastic jars with lids, 16-ounce
- 1/2 cup glitter glue or clear glue
- Distilled water
- High-temperature hot glue gun, optional
- 1–2 teaspoons glitter
Instructions
- Pour 1/2 cup of distilled water into the jar.
- Pour 1/2 cup of glitter glue or clear glue into the jar.
- Add 1–2 teaspoons of extra glitter to the jar.
- Fill up the remainder of the jar with distilled water.
- If desired, use a hot glue gun to squeeze a ring of glue around the lid of the jar. Press the lid onto the jar and secure with the metal ring.
- Shake the jar well to distribute the glitter.
- Your DIY glitter jar is complete!
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Kathryn Wood says
These look terrific! Thanks for the instructions!
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
You are welcome! Enjoy, Kathryn!
Sezamzow says
Could you also just use loose glitter instead of glue? I’m thinking from a more cost effective standpoint…
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
The Glitter Glue changes the density of the water so that the glitter takes time to settle – it looks like it is floating and very slowly sinking. Loose glitter would likely settle very quickly, so you would lose the soothing effect it creates and the ability to use it as a timer. Thanks for reading!
Me says
I wonder if this would work for my distractible/focus-challenged daughter during school work, or if it would be an additional distraction. Worth a shot! Thanks 😀
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
Depends on your daughter! I’m a very distracted person most of the time and can safely bet that I would find myself lost in thought, staring at the glitter! However, my boys use them very well as a timer!
Fireflies and Mud Pies says
You are very welcome! Love your blog!
mommaof4 says
Is distilled water necessary or can you use tap water instead?
Becky Sansing says
I am eager to try this out for my two kiddos! They both have ADHD and my son also is autistic so needless to say we have some challenges daily with staying on task & occasional angry spats & outbursts in our house. I was wondering if mixing school glue & loose glitter would yield the same results as the glitter glue?
Homeschooling Mom says
I really like this. Can you just use regular glue and add glitter or does it have to be glitter glue?
Melissa Lennig says
If you want to use regular glue, I would choose clear glue. White glue might make it look cloudy. Let me know how it goes!
Kirsten says
How long do these jars stay swirly?? I’ve seen posts that say the person has tried them and they last for less in a day before they turn into a clump??
Melissa Lennig says
Oh my, I have some jars that are over 5-years-old! I have never experienced them turning into a clump. Good luck!