by Angie Pollock

Created on: October 24, 2009

There are many craft projects that can be designed from 2 liter plastic bottles. Both children and adults can recycle their plastic bottles into crafty items they can display or use for play. There are hundreds of ways to use these bottles and here are some of the most popular craft projects to turn your trash into treasures.

Crafts for the Kids

Bowling Game

2-liter soda bottles (at least 6). For young children, smaller plastic bottles can be used.

Something to weigh bottles down such as small rocks, gravel, or sand.

Paint (optional)

Ball

*Before using the bottles, the bottles can be painted with acrylic paint or spray paint. An adult can spray paint the bottles and children can later add their own special touches with acrylic paint or markers.

*Lightly weigh down each bottle. The bottles shouldn't be so heavy that they won't knock down with a ball. A small amount of sand or a few stones dropped into the bottle will help them stand.

*Line up the bottles in a bowling pattern and use the ball to have a fun game of bowling.

This is a fun project for holiday carnivals and booths. The bottles can be decorated according to the holiday such as monsters for Halloween or as snowmen at Christmas.

Windsock

2 liter plastic bottle

Crepe paper streamers

Paint and/or makers to decorate the bottle

String to hang the windsock

*Cut off the top portion (lid end) of the bottle. Decorate the bottle as desired.

*Using a hole punch, place two holes at the top of the bottle opposite of each other. Place the string or yarn through the holes and secure with a knot.

*Glue the crepe paper to the inside of the bottle with the streamers flowing down.

This project can also be done in holiday themes. Fabric strips can be used to replace the streamers which will last longer than crepe paper.

For Adults

Adults can use these large bottles for decorative pieces around the home. Simply paint or decoupage some pretty fabric to the bottle and fill with sand for a hefty door stop. Knitters can cut the end off and insert their yarn into the bottle and pull a single end through the lid opening. This keeps yarn from getting tangled or rolling away when being used. These bottles are also the perfect size for planters when cut in half. The outside can be decorated with paint and even beads.

There are many uses for plastic bottles of all sizes. Rather than throwing them away to wind up in the landfills, you can make many useful items for your home. With a plastic bottle and a little imagination, you can create many unique treasures and you are helping save the environment.

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