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    Home » Crafts

    Modified: May 17, 2022 · Published: Apr 21, 2014 by Vicky · This post may contain affiliate links · 9 Comments

    Soda Bottle Watering Can

    1968 shares
    • 112

    This colorful and useful Soda Bottle Watering Can is one of my favorite spring activities for kids. We made them using recycled soda bottles. We have recycled bottles in the past when we made Calming Bottles and a Crushed Cereal Rainbow Bottle.

    You will love how these watering cans turned out and how easy they are to make with some adult help.

    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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    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Donna says

      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

      Reply
    2. Michele says

      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.

      Reply
      • Vicky says

        March 27, 2017 at 12:51 pm

        Great idea!

        Reply
    3. JDaniel4's Mom says

      May 04, 2014 at 2:47 am

      These are so pretty! What a great project!

      Reply
    4. Danya Banya says

      April 28, 2014 at 2:38 am

      Love this idea! And they look great too. 🙂

      Reply
    5. Lee in Pre says

      April 27, 2014 at 6:38 am

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

      Reply
    6. Lee in Pre says

      April 27, 2014 at 6:37 am

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

      Reply
    7. Peggy says

      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!

      Reply
    8. Cranberry Morning says

      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!

      Reply
    Vicky from Mess for Less

    I'm Vicky, the founder of Mess For Less, which I started in 2011 to share easy, family-friendly recipes. With over a decade of experience as a home chef and recipe developer, I love creating meals that bring people together. I also design play and learning activities for kids, using my background as a former teacher with a Master’s degree in education. Learn more about me.

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