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Green Craft: Fun With Plastic Bottles!

A couple weeks ago it had been windy for days on end. We were cooped up in the house and I decided we were going to get crafty.  In high school, I was a Recreation Leader and we did all sorts of crafting and played games to our hearts content during the spring and summer. Kids love to craft and when you’re in the comfort of you’re own home it’s even better! Why not reuse some plastic water bottles and make this quick, simple and fun eco-craft!

.

Lava Lamp

Supplies:

Empty plastic bottles

Cooking or Vegetable Oil

Funnel

Water

Food Coloring

Masking Tape or Glue

Directions:

Start by taking off the label. Using a funnel, fill the plastic bottles 3/4’s of the way up with oil. Take a measuring cup and fill it with water using the same measurement for the oil. In the measuring cup, have kids add a couple drops of food coloring. Take funnel again and pour colored water into plastic bottle filled with oil. Voila’  Make sure to secure the cap with either glue or masking tap. So far, we’ve haven’t had to resort to using either the glue or masking tape. Make sure to keep a watchful eye on the kiddos though.

Once the kids are done- they can shake it up and watch the oil and water separate and conglomerate. My son thought it was pretty darn fascinating. He know keeps it on top of his kitchen and turns it upside down every now again!

It’s an easy way to craft at home without spending a lot of money. Do you remember saving the salad dressing bottle when you were a kid so you could take it to class and fill it up pretty with beans for your Mom?

Or saving up all the toilet paper rolls and making binoculars or pencil holders out of them.  A quick way to entertain your baby is to put a few pebbles, beans, buttons etc. into the plastic bottle and let them shake it up or use as a rattle. The smaller plastic bottles work best for infants (with supervision, of course!). The ideas are endless!

Plastic water bottles are certainly an item we have enough of lying around (pun intended) so why not make extra use of them and turn them into eco-craft pieces! It’s craft season so get the glue, scissors, and whatever materials handy and most importantly don’t forget the kids!!

What do you use for green creative activities? Share your eco-craftiness with us!

[This post was written by Leslie Quigley.]

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Comments

  1. Kaila says

    August 7, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    This is a fun idea! Just as a sparkly additive, you can also add in a little glitter.

    Reply
  2. Joanne Chack says

    January 24, 2012 at 4:24 am

    I made this for summer nature camp. I learned to use MINERAL OIL (instead of yellow corn/vegetable oil) which is clear and looks more authentic! The kids, and adults, LOVED IT!!!! Add some plastic fish/sea turtles and glitter! Kids picked a favorite animal and hot glued on top of cap! Very Very Cool!

    Reply
  3. Suzanne says

    February 9, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    I love this idea! Would you mind if I re-post and give you credit?

    Reply
    • Jennifer Lance says

      February 10, 2012 at 6:30 am

      Sure just be sure to link back!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Crafty Reuse: Ten Projects for Plastic Bottles : Crafting a Green World says:
    June 30, 2009 at 3:32 am

    […] Eco Child’s Play shows us how to turn a water bottle into a lava lamp! […]

    Reply
  2. Outdoor Etiquette: “Lend a Hand. Care for the land.” : Eco Child’s Play says:
    September 12, 2009 at 6:40 pm

    […] the water bottles: Purchase a Klean Kanteen or other stainless steel water bottle or BPA free one and fill up with […]

    Reply
  3. Nu ta tagad par plastmasas pudelēm parunāsim. « Tikšanās vieta says:
    November 26, 2009 at 7:58 am

    […] Lavas lampa (bez elektrības). Bērniem varētu patikt vērot. […]

    Reply
  4. 6 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles - Earth911.com says:
    July 26, 2010 at 12:03 am

    […] we’ll admit that this design from Simple Earth Media doesn’t have the zing that your old $40 lamp had, but it’s no doubt a fun rainy day […]

    Reply
  5. Craft ideas for plastic containers | Little Green Dream says:
    February 10, 2012 at 11:34 am

    […] http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/05/28/green-craft-fun-with-plastic-bottles/ […]

    Reply

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About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

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