Plastic bottles are ubiquitous, making their disposal a challenging task. However, you can turn this menace to your advantage by trying plastic bottle crafts for kids. If you have plenty of water bottles at home, you can turn them into beautiful crafts involving your kids. The exercise will be enjoyable to your children and help you identify their artistic talents. Here, we have made a list of some plastic bottle crafts for kids to help you create something beautiful at home and teach your children the benefits of upcycling.
21 Plastic Bottle Crafts For Kids
Plastic bottles are known for their flexibility and durability. Create beautiful crafts using them to decorate your home. Clean the bottle, remove the label by soaking it in warm water for a while, and get going with your children for some amazing family bonding and crafting time.
1. Glow bottle
Make these glow-in-the-dark bottles to put in your child’s bedroom at night. They can be used as a calming device when your children are on time-out. You will need:
Plastic bottle Hair gel Glitter glue Glow-in-the-dark paint Superglue Glow stars
How to make:
Put some glitter glue in the bottle. Add some glow-in-the-dark paint into the bottle. Mix the hair gel with some water and pour the mixture into the bottle. Put in the glow stars.
Use super glue to stick the bottle’s cap to the bottle so that the mixture doesn’t spill out.
2. Soda bottle pencil case
This pencil case is the best way to make a statement at school. It is a functional piece of craft that is quite easy to make. You will need:
Two soda bottles of the same size Zipper Hot glue Felt Scissors Sandpaper
How to make:
Cut one soda bottle four inches from the bottom and the other at two and quarter inches from the bottom. Sand the cut edges to make sure they are smooth. Measure the zipper along the circumference of the bottles and cut off the excess. Cut a small rectangle of felt and glue it to the end of the zipper. This prevents the zipper from opening completely. Use hot glue to stick the zipper to the bottle. Make sure you leave enough space for the zipper to run freely. Keep the felt end of the zipper unglued. Apply hot glue on the other side (the inner upper side) of the zipper and glue it to the other bottle. Make sure the felt piece fits perfectly. Cut it if necessary, and hot glue it to both bottles.
3. Plastic apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. This apple keeps the plastic away from polluting your environment. You will need:
Two empty 1.25l plastic bottles Red or green cellophane or tissue paper (you can also use thin cloth materials) Green and brown felt Ribbon or string Needle and thread Sandpaper Scissors Glue
How to make:
Cut around three inches from the bottom of each bottle. Sand the edges to make sure there are no rough edges. Heat the scissors and make a hole through the center of one of the bottom pieces. Thread the ribbon or string through the hole and knot it on the inside. Cut a stem and a couple of leaves from the felt. Stitch them together. Glue them to the ribbon or thread. Scrunch up the cellophane, tissue paper, or fabric and place it inside the other cup. Place one cup on top of the other and press down until they fit snugly. You can use glue or tape to make sure the two cups won’t come apart.
4. Vertical garden
If you want to teach your children the concept of “best out of waste,” there is nothing better than this idea. Make a garden for new plants using plastic bottles. You will need:
Plastic bottles Scissors Drill Nails Soil Seeds Rope Sandpaper
How to make:
Drill holes in the wall where you want to set up the vertical garden and insert the nails into the holes. The distance between the holes will depend on the size of the bottle you are using. Cut a rectangle from the midsection of a bottle. Sand it to smoothen the edges. Drill four holes in the bottle–two on opposite sides around an inch below the cap and two on opposite sides an inch above the bottom. You can use a pair of heated scissors to make the holes as well. Also, make some holes on the opposite side of the rectangular opening. Fold the rope and thread one end through the two holes at the top and the other end through the two holes at the bottom. Tie the loose ends of the rope to the nails and secure them. Your bottle will be horizontal at this point, with the rectangular opening facing upwards. Fill the bottle with soil and push in the seeds.
5. Apple container
These mini containers made from empty plastic bottles will ensure you are never out of containers again. They are great for gifting, and you can make them in any size you want. You will need:
Two plastic bottles of the same size Zipper Spray paints in red and green colors Hot glue Painter’s tape Scissors Sandpaper Green cardstock Cardboard
How to make:
Cut the two bottles around three inches from the bottom. Sand the edges to make sure there are no rough edges. Apply painter’s tape on the outside and spray paint on the inside of both pieces. Spray lightly and apply two or three coats of paint. Make sure the paint doesn’t pool at the bottom. Remove the painter’s tape. Measure the zipper along the circumference of the bottles and cut off the excess. Apply hot glue to the end to seal the zipper. This prevents the zipper from running off the track. Apply hot glue to the inner side of the zipper to attach one bottle piece to it, unzip it fully, and then attach the other. Make sure you leave space for the zipper to operate without snagging. Cut a rectangular stem from cardboard and a leaf shape from the cardstock. Hot glue them to the apple.
6. Bottle sprinkler
If you want a sprinkler for your outdoor plants, you can make one yourself with a plastic bottle. Use this for days when you have to go out of town yet want to keep your plants happy. You will need:
2l plastic bottle Garden hose spigot Garden hose Duct tape (optional) Scissors or pointed screwdriver or awl
How to make:
Attach the plastic bottle to one end and the garden hose to the other end of the spigot. Make a few holes in the bottle. Connect the other end of the garden hose to a water supply. If there is any leakage in the joints, secure them with duct tape.
7. Plastic bottle butterflies
Make these pretty butterflies out of plastic bottles to adorn your walls. They are easy to make and can be made in various colors, patterns, and sizes. You will need:
Plastic bottle Permanent marker Pipe cleaner Beads Sharpies Hot glue
How to make:
Draw the shape of a butterfly on the bottle and cut it out. Draw the patterns of the wings using permanent markers. Color the patterns with Sharpies. Fold the butterfly at the joint of each wing so that they crease and look realistic. Bend the pipe cleaner in a V shape. Thread some beads on one side of this shape. Twist the V together and thread a big bead to make the butterfly’s head. Curl the ends of the pipe cleaner to make antennae. Place the bead in such a way that the wings are on both sides of the head. Hot glue them in place.
8. Plastic bottle bird feeders
These bird feeders are extremely functional and will give your children an opportunity to observe birds closely. You will need:
5l soda bottle Craft knife Small eye screw Two chopsticks Twine
How to make:
Poke a hole through the lid of the bottle and insert the small eye screw through it. Thread twine through the eye of the screw. Make two sets of holes in the bottle–one set around the midway, and the other set near the bottom. Each set of holes should be directly opposite each other. Insert the chopsticks through these holes. Fill the bottle with birdseed. Cut a hole, enough for the birds to gain access to the feed. Close the cap. Tie the other end of the twine to a branch.
9. Plastic chandelier
If you want to make an elegant and classy-looking decoration piece for your home, you can make this chandelier. It is made entirely out of plastic bottles, and apart from providing great lighting at the dining table, it will also serve as a conversation starter. You will need:
Plenty of plastic bottles White spray paint Hot glue Craft knife Bulb and holder with wire
How to make:
Cut the bottles of different sizes around two inches from the bottom. Spray them in white paint. You can use different colors after applying a white base coat. Stick these bottle pieces together. They should come together in a dome-shaped pattern. Insert the wire through the gap between two pieces. Attach the holder to the inside end of the wire. Put it up and screw in the bulb.
10. Plastic jellyfish
If your child is interested in sea creatures, make a jellyfish for them to put in a plastic bottle. They can observe their jellyfish and even consider it their pet. You will need:
Transparent plastic bag Plastic bottle String Blue food color Scissors
How to make:
Cut a small square off the plastic bag. Bring the ends together and make a small balloon. Tie it loosely with the string. Cut the edges of the sheet so that they look like tentacles. Fill the ballooned part of the sheet with water. Put it inside the bottle. It will settle at the bottom. Fill the bottle with water and add a few drops of blue food color to the water. Screw the cap on. Shake the bottle to make the jellyfish float.
11. Bottlecap mosaic
Brighten up a wall or any surface by making a beautiful mosaic using bottle caps. If you don’t have enough bottle caps, ask your friends and neighbors to save theirs. You will need:
Plastic bottle caps in different colors and sizes Glue Pencil
How to make:
Select the surface on which you wish to make the mosaic. You may make it on a canvas board, a garden wall, or a fence. Draw a design on the surface with a pencil. Decide the color scheme of the design. Apply glue to the top of each cap and attach them to the surface according to your design.
12. Plastic spoon lamp
This easy-to-make plastic lamp is made of plastic spoons and looks pretty when lit. You can put it up in your living room or dining room for a muted light effect. You will need:
5l plastic bottle Plastic spoons Exacto knife Bulb Holder Wire Scissors
How to make:
Cut one inch off the bottom of the bottle. Remove the lid. Cut each spoon just below the flat portion. Apply hot glue to the inner (concave) side of the spoon and stick it to the bottle from the bottom. Once a layer is done, partially overlap the next layer on top of the first one. Continue this process until the whole bottle is covered. Attach the holder to one side of the wire and pass the other end through the mouth of the bottle. Screw in the bulb and put the light up wherever you want.
13. Plastic bottle piggy bank
This piggy bank made of plastic bottles is not only cute but also helps inculcate the habit of saving money in children. You can make a few of them for various purposes such as saving, spending, and donating. You will need:
Plastic bottle Googly eyes Bottle caps Hot glue and gun Thick paper Scissors
How to make:
Cut a rectangular hole of around 2x ½ inches. The long side of the rectangle should be along the length of the bottle. Take the paper and cut out ear shapes and a circular shape for the snout. Stick them to the bottle. The circular shape should come over the cap of the bottle. Glue on the googly eyes. Glue four bottle caps on the lower side of the bottle, below the slit. These will make the legs of the piggy.
14. Plastic bottle jewelry stand
This pretty jewelry stand can hold all your fashion accessories. Besides, it is easy to make. You will need:
Four plastic bottles – two 2l bottles, one 1l bottle, and one 20 oz bottle Exacto knife Scissors 12-inch threaded rod Nuts and washers Drill
How to make:
Using the knife and scissors, cut the bottles from the bottom so that they look like flowers. Drill holes through the center of each ‘flower.’ Put them through the rod and sandwich each of them on both sides with nuts and washers. The lowest ‘flower’ will be facing downwards to make the base of the stand. The others will be facing upwards. Secure all the nuts firmly.
15. Bottle monsters
You can make these monsters out of empty plastic bottles for Halloween. You will need:
Plastic bottle Marker Exacto knife Acrylic paints Paintbrushes
How to make:
Take a clean, dry, and empty plastic bottle and draw your monster’s face on it with a marker. Cut off the top of the bottle and the opening of the mouth using the knife. Paint the monster in the colors of your choice. Apply two or three coats if necessary. Let the paint dry completely. Put in candies and place the monster outside your front door for trick-or-treating.
16. Plastic bottle flower pots
Encourage your children to care for their plants by making these plastic flower pots with them. You can decorate them whichever way your children want for some extra incentive. You will need:
Plastic bottles Exacto knife Acrylic paints Paintbrushes Scissors Soil Seeds
How to make:
Cut an empty plastic bottle in half. Color the lower half in the colors of your choice. Let the paint dry completely. Heat the scissors and make holes at the bottom of the bottle. These holes help the excess water drain off. Fill the bottle with soil and plant a few seeds.
17. Plastic crown
Make a crown for your child using empty plastic bottles. They will be eager to become the prince or princess of the recycle-land. You will need:
2l plastic bottle Glitter glue Scissors Marker
How to make:
Cut out the cylindrical portion of the bottle. Trace the shape of a crown on it using a marker. You can use a template from the Internet. Use glitter glue to fill in the places of the gems in the crown. Let the glue dry completely. Secure the crown on your child’s head using bobby pins.
18. Plastic bottle bracelets
Make pretty bracelets for your children using plastic bottles. These fashionable accessories are easy to make and great to look at. You will need:
Plastic bottle Exacto knife Ribbons Masking tape Glue Decorative items (optional)
How to make:
Cut the bottom of the plastic bottle and cut a few sections from it. They can be of any width. Place one end of a ribbon on the inside of the section and use masking tape to hold it in place. Wrap it around the section until it is fully covered. Glue the end of the ribbon securely. You can use different colored ribbons and different styles of wrapping. Use decorative items such as glitter, sequins, beads, buttons, etc., to decorate your bracelet. You can also use wool or thread to wrap around the plastic strip.
18. Flower paint stamp
This is a great craft for young children. In this craft, you do not have to actually make something out of a plastic bottle. Instead, you can use the plastic bottle for a different purpose. You will need:
Plastic bottles in different sizes Paints Paper plate A4 sized paper Pencil
How to make:
Draw and paint the stem of a flower or the trunk of a tree on a sheet of paper. Pour the color of your choice on the paper plate. Dip the lower portion of the bottle in the paint and stamp it on the sheet of paper to resemble flowers. Use bottles of different sizes to make a garden of different colored flowers. Use newspapers to place the bottles when not in use.
20. Plastic playhouse
Use old milk bottles to make some playhouses for your children’s dolls. They are extremely easy to make, and your children will spend hours playing with them. You will need:
Empty milk bottle Exacto knife Hot glue Construction paper Scissors
How to make:
Clean and dry the milk bottle thoroughly. Cut a big opening on one broadside just below the handle so that it resembles a door. Cut out rectangular shapes from the other sides for the windows. Make shapes on the construction paper and hot glue them to the bottle for the windows. Decorate the house in the way you want. You can add some bits of furniture from the scrap bits of plastic.
21. Bottle firefly
Children love glowing things, fireflies being among them. So, engage your child in making a unique bottle firefly whenever they wish. You will need:
20 oz green plastic bottle Glow stick Three pipe cleaners in green One pipe cleaner in black Pony beads Cardstock Glue Scissors Black acrylic paint Clear tape
How to make:
Twist three green pipe cleaners around the middle of the bottle. Twist their ends together so that they resemble the legs. The bottle should be supported by these “legs” when placed on its side. Cut the cardstock and wrap it around the bottle. Leave the legs free. Do not cover the top and the bottom of the bottle. Glue the cardstock to the bottle. Cut two wing-shaped pieces from another cardstock and stick them to the first cardstock on the bottle. Put a glow stick inside the bottle. You can use tape to secure it near the top of the bottle. Screw the cap on and stick the pony beads for the eyes. Bend the black pipe cleaner in a V shape and then gently roll its ends to resemble antennae. Stick it above the eyes. Let the glue dry completely.
