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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Crafts

    Soda Bottle Watering Can

    Published: Apr 21, 2014 · Modified: May 17, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    With Spring in the air, my kids have been itching to help out in the garden. We have planted seeds, pulled weeds and used a hose to water plants. This got messy at times as my kids would lose control of the hose, point it in the wrong direction or over water a plant. I decided individual watering cans would be answer and being the frugal sort of mama I am, I was inspired to make some using recycled soda bottles. We have recycled bottles in the past when we made Calming Bottles and a Crushed Cereal Rainbow Bottle. I just adore how these watering cans turned out. The kids really put effort into painting them and with a little help from me, we were able to create this colorful and useful Soda Bottle Watering Can.

    Learn how kids (with a little adult help) can create these useful soda bottle watering cans.

    You will need:

    • 1 liter plastic bottle
    • Paper plate
    • Acrylic paint
    • Paintbrush
    • Nail
    • Pliers
    supplies for watering can

    Clean out a one liter soda or water bottle and let dry. This would work with a smaller bottle as well. If you tried it with a 2 liter bottle it might be too heavy for kids to hold when filled with water.

    I created a paint palette for my kids by squirting different colors of paint on a paper plate. I then provided them with the paint, bottle, a brush and a cup of water for cleaning their brush between colors.

    child painting plastic bottle

    Since they would be using these bottles to water plants in our garden, my kids decided to make bright and cheery Spring themed designs on their bottles.

    kids painting plastic bottles

    As you can see, suns, skies, and grass were featured prominently. When the bottles were done being painted, I let them dry a few hours. The thicker your child has applied the paint, the longer drying will take.

    painted plastic bottles

    The next part is an adults only step. When the bottle is dry, you will need to make some small holes in it so children can pour out the water. I had originally thought I could make the holes by using a nail and hammer, but the bottle was so slippery I could not get the nails to penetrate. When I mentioned this to my husband, he suggested that I warm up the tip of a nail on the stove and use it to melt holes into the bottle. To do this, I held the head of nail with some pliers and held it over low heat on a stove. Then I continued to hold the nail with the pliers and pressed the hot part into the bottle where I wanted my holes. This worked perfectly as the nail made a hole right away. I was even able to make a few holes before having to warm up the nail again. 9-10 holes will give you a great water flow.

    making a soda bottle watering can

    Finally it was time to fill our bottles up with water and go outside and water the plants. Twist off the cap and fill up the bottle to just under the holes you made.

    child watering plants

    To use the bottle, just tip over where the holes are and pour. As the water in the bottle starts to go down, you can squeeze the bottle to get more out.

    kids watering plants

    Try this fun project if you are looking for a way to recycle, get creative and make a frugal watering can.

    For more fun with water check out:

    Water Table Play Props

    Water Balloon Phonics

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Donna

      August 17, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      I love these watering bottles. The acrylic paint comes off the skin easily with soap and water. I can’t wait to do These with my students

    2. Vicky

      March 27, 2017 at 12:51 pm

      Great idea!

    3. Michele

      March 27, 2017 at 8:35 am

      You can also use a hot glue gun to make the holes, just leave out the glue stick.

    4. JDaniel4's Mom

      May 04, 2014 at 2:47 am

      These are so pretty! What a great project!

    5. Danya Banya

      April 28, 2014 at 2:38 am

      Love this idea! And they look great too. 🙂

    6. Lee in Pre

      April 27, 2014 at 6:38 am

      Thank you for this great idea. My preschool class will love making these!

    7. Lee in Pre

      April 27, 2014 at 6:37 am

      Thank you for this great idea. My preschool class will love making these!

    8. Peggy

      April 24, 2014 at 2:13 am

      I have an ice pick that works real well on things like this. I love these and will be making them tonight! Thanks!

    9. Cranberry Morning

      April 21, 2014 at 1:15 pm

      Cute idea! I don't know if they still make them, but there used to be a little gadget that was simply a cork and a metal top with holes in it that would fit into a bottle top to make a sprinkler. I wonder whatever happened to those. Your kids always have such fun projects - thanks to you!

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Valentine's Day Activities and Recipes

    • Valentine’s Dessert Cheese Ball
    • Valentine's Brownie Cake Pops
    • Valentine's Chocolate Covered Pretzels
    • Valentine Ideas for Kids - Glitter Hearts

    Winter Activities

    • Q-Tip Painted Snowman Craft
    • Winter Shaving Cream Paint
    • Pinecone Snowman Craft
    • Melted Snowman Craft

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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