DIY Potion Jars and Magic Wands (Inspired by The Sword in the Stone)
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Fall is the perfect time to dive into magical stories — and The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White is one of our favorites. This classic tale of young Arthur and the eccentric wizard Merlin is full of transformations, humor, and life lessons that captivate kids’ imaginations.
To make our reading even more memorable, we paired the book with hands-on activities: DIY potion jars and magic wands. These projects not only bring the story to life but also double as spooky, seasonal crafts you can use for Halloween parties, fall book clubs, or just a cozy afternoon at home.
About The Sword in the Stone
Written in 1938, The Sword in the Stone is the first part of The Once and Future King series and tells the story of young Arthur (called Wart) and his adventures under the guidance of the eccentric wizard Merlin. From transforming into animals to learning life lessons in unusual ways, this book weaves humor, magic, and wisdom into a retelling of the King Arthur legend.
Reading classic literature like this together helps kids expand their vocabulary, develop comprehension skills, and appreciate more complex narratives. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
Magic Potion Jars (Book-Inspired + Halloween Twist)
In the story, Merlin teaches Wart (Arthur) through magical transformations and lessons. Inspired by that, we created our own “Merlin potions” — but with a Halloween twist, they easily become witch brews or monster mixes.
Supplies:
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Small jars, bottles, or plastic cauldrons
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Water + food coloring
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Outdoor finds: leaves, flowers, seeds
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Craft supplies: glitter, googly eyes, sequins, or pom-poms
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Optional: glow sticks for glowing potions
Directions:
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Fill jars with water and add food coloring for magical hues.
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Mix in natural items or craft materials.
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Seal and label your potion bottles — Merlin potions while reading, or spooky brews like “Zombie Juice” and “Witch’s Elixir” for Halloween.
(Tip: These make great centerpieces for a Halloween party or book club gathering!)
(I found out later that my daughter even tried a sip of each one to see if it would give her powers—thankfully we used only safe ingredients!)
DIY Magic Wands (Merlin-Approved!)
Merlin always had his wand ready, and of course no Halloween wizard or witch costume is complete without one.
Supplies:
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Wooden dowel or stick
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Ribbons, gems, or sequins
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Markers or glitter glue
Directions:
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Wrap ribbon around one end of the dowel and glue in place.
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Decorate with gems, sequins, or glitter.
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Let dry and practice casting your best spells — whether Merlin-style or Halloween-style.
Just don’t turn anyone into a frog.
Why This Works for Both Books & Seasons
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Literature connection: Crafts tie directly to The Sword in the Stone, reinforcing comprehension and making the book memorable.
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Seasonal spin: By adding spooky labels or glow sticks, these activities also work as Halloween party crafts or fall homeschool projects.
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Learning benefits: Builds reading comprehension, encourages creativity, and strengthens the link between literature and real life.
- Try making potions in other season with this Fizzy Love Potion STEM activity.
Whether you’re reading The Sword in the Stone this fall or just looking for a fun Halloween activity, these DIY potions and wands bring a little magic into your home. They’re simple, creative, and guaranteed to spark imaginative play.
More Book Activity Ideas, Please?!
If you love combining books with learning, check out my big list of Book Activities for Kids filled with ideas for:
- Fairy tales
- Classic literature
- Seasonal favorites
- Science and history tie-ins
Perfect for homeschool units, book clubs, or just making reading time extra special.
I love the dandelion potions! We are big fans of The Sword in the Stone here too!
Super cute wand! We haven’t read the book, but my girls liked the movie!
I think I am going to make that wand for myself Karyn! Love it 🙂 My kids would love to come over to your house and make those homemade potions. So much fun!
My kids did the same thing with the Harry Potter books and movies, it’s been really hilarious.
I love the potions they made!
I love your magic potions! And I love the Poppins Book Nook series. It’s been so fun to learn about other books on the same theme!
magic potions are the best! I must see if our library has this book as we are just about finished with the Rondo series and looking for something new to read together.