Plastic bottles transformed! A collection of simple yet amazing craft ideas
“It’s made from a plastic bottle, and it can do that?!” There’s a wonderful world of crafts that’s sure to amaze everyone.
In fact, used plastic bottles are a treasure trove.
For example, you can make a curious drink dispenser where loosening the cap lets a beverage flow out through a straw, an ocean bottle that makes the most of the clear material, or a stained-glass lamp that glows dreamily at night—simple yet impressive projects galore! Try making some exciting crafts with plastic bottles you have at home!
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Plastic bottles transformed! A collection of simple yet amazing craft ideas (1–10)
Heron’s fountain
A Heron’s fountain is a hydraulic device invented by the inventor Heron of Alexandria.
Take two plastic bottles, lay them on their sides, make holes in them, stack them, and connect them using two straws of different lengths.
Then place another plastic bottle on top—cut it so the mouth remains—and, with the cap still on, make a hole and connect it the same way with a straw.
Be sure to seal the connected straws securely with a hot glue gun or similar so there are no gaps.
Add legs using caps or similar items to keep the bottles from rolling.
Pour water from the top, and once water has collected in the bottom bottle, flip the setup over.
When the water stops moving downward, flip it back.
Pour water again, and water should start overflowing from the top straw!
plastic bottle rocket
Soar high into the sky—why not try making a plastic bottle rocket? It’s one of the classic themes for summer vacation projects.
The mechanism uses compressed air pumped into the bottle to launch it using that pressure and energy.
While plastic bottle rocket kits are sold online, you can also make one with materials from a 100-yen shop, so if you have time, try building from scratch.
It might be fun to challenge yourself to see how far you can make it fly!
table lamp
Swoon over a glamorous finish as you take on making a table lamp! Start by cutting a plastic bottle into lots of square pieces.
Attach aurora film trimmed to fit each piece, then link them together using wire rings.
Hang the chain of pieces from a lamp frame you prepared in advance, and you’ll have a sparkling, beautiful piece of indirect lighting! Change the size and number of the bottle pieces or the color of the film to create a different look.
Plastic bottles transformed! A collection of simple yet amazing craft ideas (11–20)
PET bottle kaleidoscope
How about making a sparkling, beautiful kaleidoscope that reveals a mysterious world when you peer inside? The materials are all very familiar: the main one is a plastic bottle, plus printer paper, cardstock, silver origami paper, and beads to put inside—most of which you probably have at home.
You’ll use the bottom and the neck of the plastic bottle as the body, and the middle section as material to go inside, so nothing goes to waste.
It’s hard to call it “very easy,” but it only has many steps—if you follow them in order, you can easily create your own original kaleidoscope.
PET bottle aquarium
A PET-bottle aquarium has a summery look, so it’s perfect as a theme for a summer science project.
It’s simple to make: just fill a plastic bottle with water and food coloring, then add sea creatures like fish, octopuses, and squids that you’ve drawn on a plastic bag and cut out.
With just a slight movement, the creatures will glide gracefully, completing a lovely little aquarium! Add some glitter to make it even more dazzling.
By making a PET-bottle aquarium, you can also feel closer to concepts like environmental protection and recycling, and learn about them in a hands-on way.
jack-o’-lantern
Let’s make a classic Halloween decoration—a jack-o’-lantern—using plastic bottles.
Use plastic bottles from carbonated drinks and stack two of the bumpy bottoms together to resemble a pumpkin.
For the pumpkin color, use finely cut crepe paper, and leave slight gaps so light can shine through from the inside.
Attach the small parts like the face as well, and it’s complete once you turn on a candle light inside.
It’s also a good idea to check how the light looks and then adjust how many layers of paper you use.
Sparkly Piggy Bank
Try making a sparkly coin bank adorned with gem-like, beautiful beads! Cut a plastic bottle in half and place it on a base made from cardboard.
Cut a slot for inserting coins, and then all that’s left is to decorate it with beads and more! Feel free to embellish it however you like—“cute” or “luxurious,” just the way you imagine.
If you make use of the lines already on the plastic bottle, your decorations won’t end up looking messy.
The cap area stands out the most, so you’ll want to give it extra special attention!