Are you looking for a unique way to recycle your plastic water and beverage bottles? Here’s a wonderful kids’ project that uses the entire bottle – label and all! 

What you need

• 500ml plastic water bottle with cap
• Spray paint or multi-surface craft paint
• Scissors 
• White craft glue or hot glue gun
• Foam brush
• Small paint brush
• Sand
• Rocks or pebbles
• Pompom
• Plastic drinking straw

How to make it

1. Remove labels and lids from the bottle but do not discard them. If your water bottle lacks a label, have a scrap of paper nearby to use instead. Cut the water bottle in half and set one half aside.
2. Cut slits about an inch wide in the top part of the bottle. You should have 8 “petals” in the end. Stretch the petals outward, then paint with spray paint or multi-surface craft paint. 
3. Help your child add detail by using the smaller paintbrush.
4. Put the lid on the bottle top.
5. Fill the lid with white glue and place the straw into it.
6. Glue the bottle wrapper around the straw to help it stay upright.
7. Fill the bottom half of the water bottle with sand or soil, about 1.5 – 2 inches deep. Pack it down and insert the straw’s bottom end into it.
8. Place pebbles or stones on top of the sand (stem).

For a step-by-step tutorial click here.