Arts and Crafts for Kids

Have you ever wondered what to do with your large empty plastic bottles? Now you can give them a second life as a craft project. Arts and crafts for kids can be more than just a fun way to pass the time. Use these projects to teach your kids about recycling and our wonderful Planet Earth.

Wave Maker

Mouthwash bottle, 2 liter soda bottle, large clear water bottle (the larger the better)
Colorless vegetable oil
Water
Blue and green food coloring
Packing tape or glue

Soak the bottle in warm soapy water to remove the label. Fill the bottle halfway with the vegetable oil. Fill the remainder of the bottle with water until there is just a small air bubble left at the top. Add four or five drops of food coloring until you get the shade you like (like the ocean). Put the lid on as tight as you can, tape or glue it shut to keep it from leaking. Shake it up to see thousands of little bubbles, or sway it gently from side to side to see rolling waves. What a beautiful way to experience the ocean in a bottle!

Treasure Bottle

Mouthwash bottle, 2 liter soda bottle, large clear water bottle (the larger thebetter)
Several cups of uncooked rice (depends on your bottle)
Small treasure items – trinkets, tiny dollar-store plastic toys, buttons, beads, coins, charms, plastic bugs or spiders, plastic rings, small pebbles, pieces of hard candy

Soak the bottle in warm soapy water to remove the label. Fill the bottle 2/3 with uncooked rice. Add the small trinkets and other treasure items. Screw the cap on tightly. Turn and roll the bottle over to mix the small items in with the rice. Watch as the treasures appear and disappear as the rice moves in the bottle. Take note that larger heavier items (coins, heavy beads) will stay more centered in the bottle, lighter items will stay around the edges and be more visible.

Bird Feeder

Mouthwash bottle, 2 liter soda bottle, large clear water bottle (the larger the better)
hand drill
bird seed
2 pencils or two dowels
paper
string

Soak the bottle in warm soapy water to remove the label. Be sure your drill bit is approximately the width of a pencil. Drill two holes across from each other about 1/3 up the bottle. Move your drill so you are 2/3 up the bottle. Realign your drill that the next pair of holes is perpendicular to the first two. Drill another hole about 1-2 inches above each perch hole. Be sure the hole is large enough for birds to get the seeds, but not so big that the seeds easily fall out.

Tie a string under the lip of the bottle, knotting many times. Use the rest of the string to make a large loop for hanging your feeder. Use a funnel, or make a funnel with a large piece of paper, for pouring the seeds in the bottle. Tightly screw the cap on. Hang your feeder in a tree that can easily be seen from your house.

Go to Kids Crafts and Activities for lots more ideas!