Plastic bottles are used for a variety of things from drinks, food items, lotions, medicines, cleaning supplies, etc. Typically when we are done with our plastic bottles, we put them into the recycling bin. However, there are other things that you can do with your plastic bottles whether it is a creative application or a more practical use. Below are a few ideas to get you started.
- Hummingbird Feeder
Transforming a once used plastic bottle into a homemade hummingbird feeder is easy– and kids can assist with certain steps too! All you need is a plastic bottle with a screw on cap and a few additional items – which you may already have on hand. If you don’t, you should be able to find the items inexpensively at your local dollar store or superstore.
- Regular Bird Seed Feeder
Plastic bottles are ideal for bird seed feeders. What you need is a clean plastic bottle, two wooden spoons, length of twine or floral wire for hanging the project, and a craft knife/scissors. Make a cut up around 4 inches from the bottom and make sure the end of the wooden spoon fits snugly into the hole. Opposite of this, cut a slightly larger hole making sure the big end of the spoon can rest in the hole. Repeat this process around 2 inches from the bottom of the bottle but use the opposite sides so that your spoons are at a 90-degree angle to each other. Fill with seed for your birds, put the cap on and wrap the twine or floral wire around the top and hang, and you have a nice and easy feeder!
- Plastic Bottle Lights
An easy project is to drill a small hole in the bottom of your plastic bottles, and stick an LED Christmas light through each one. If you need extra security, use a little bit of hot glue to help keep the bottles in place. Then all you need to do is hang, and you have easy decorations!
- Sensory Bottles
Sensory bottles are great for children to use their senses to explore their bottles. Creating your own is super simple. Different size bottles can be utilized for the project and different materials can be used to stimulate the senses. Some liquids you can use include: water with food coloring, baby oil, mineral oil, glitter glue, clear glue, and hair gel to name a few. Some dry ingredients you can use include: sand, feathers, legos, googly eyes, small toys, buttons, and pipe cleaners to name a few. The possibilities are endless!
Before putting your plastic bottle in the recycling bin the next time, think about other fun or practical things that you can do with it.
