DIY Montessori Smelling Bottles

I kept so many spices in our kitchen that I decided to make smelling bottles for the boys.  I can’t believe that it is so easy to make!  Read through the blog and learn where you can purchase the Montessori smelling bottles and materials for the DIY.

Smelling bottles are one of those materials used in exploring the sense of smell.  We’ve done quite a few of Montessori sensory activities but this is our first time to try the smelling bottles and I’m so excited to use it!   If you want to know more about smelling bottles and Montessori sensorial activities, here’s an informative post from Carrots Are Orange.

What you need:

• Spice jars or bottles
• Essential oils
• Spices

I didn’t use essential oils as I have more than enough spices in the kitchen for us to use.  Besides, I love using our own spices because this is what the boys would always smell whenever I cook! 

Now, this usually come in pairs for matching scents, but since I don’t have enough bottles with me, I plan to cover the sides of the bottles so Vito won’t see what’s in it and he’ll just match it straight away to the exact object/spice. 

But since this is our first time, we will basically just explore these.  Most probably, we’ll end up having discussions on which smell does he like and which smell he doesn’t like at all.  Matching activity will follow afterwards, and the lids or bottom of the bottles are color coded for control of error.

Now, be sure NOT to use powdered spices.  These will get into your kids nose and some of it might hurt, you don’t want your kids to be traumatized.  As I mentioned, it is safe to use essential oil drops in cottons, most homeschoolers are using this method.

Don’t limit yourself to spices though.  There are so many scents out there to explore.  Like, you might want to use perfumes or colognes used by each person in the house and let your child identify who’s using it.  Or try fruit scents if available. 

Now, here are some pics of mine in case you are looking for materials and wanted to start a smelling activity with your kids or students.

• Spice jars.  These are lovely! You can just remove the spices inside (if needed) and replace it with your own!
• Ikea spice bottles
• Stainless steel shakers.  These would make a lovely smelling bottle materials!
• Pure Body essential oils.  I love that they lemongrass!
• Beauty Aromatherapy.  The best seller in Amazon.
• For natural scents:  star anise, dried oranges, cinnamon

And of course, if you are busy and have no time to assemble these, there’s always the ready-made Montessori smelling bottles!