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 (11–20)
A car powered by rubber
Here’s an introduction to building your very own rubber-powered plastic-bottle car! Use a rectangular plastic bottle for the body, and cut four bottoms from cylindrical plastic bottles to make the tires.
As for the power source, it uses rubber bands: connect the rear axle to the front of the car—that is, to the bottle cap.
Just like with a toy car, when you pull back the rear wheels the rubber band stretches, and when you let go, it contracts and propels the car forward.
Tires with a textured surface provide better grip and run more smoothly, so wrap corrugated cardboard (with one wavy side) around them.
stained glass lamp
How about making a colorful stained-glass lamp out of a plastic bottle? First, prepare a large plastic bottle.
You’ll cut out the spout section; it’s best if the opening you cut is big enough for a clenched fist to fit through.
After cutting, sketch the design for the stained-glass sections, then trace along it with “glass paint,” a type of paint that dries with slightly raised lines.
Next, dab resin tinted in the colors you like into the areas separated by the paint lines.
Once you get this far, you should be able to picture the final look—decorate the mouth area and place it over a lamp, and you’re done! Let’s create something so luxurious you’d never guess it started as a plastic bottle!
gacha machine
A gachapon machine made with three plastic bottles! Cut two large plastic bottles and combine them to form the main body.
Shape the top like a funnel, and create an outlet and a tray at the bottom.
Next, cut a small plastic bottle into a slender tube and install it in the center of the main body you just made.
At this point, make a hole in the middle of the tube just large enough for a small ball to fit through.
This is a rough explanation, but that’s it—done! When you drop balls in from the top, one will settle into the hole in the middle of the tube; then, if you rotate the tube from the outside, the hole will face downward and the ball will fall out, exiting through the bottom outlet.
You could even adapt this into a piggy bank!
PET bottle air cannon
Recommended for kids who are bored with ordinary toys! Let’s make a plastic-bottle air cannon and play.
First, cut off the bottom of an empty plastic bottle, cover the cut edge with a balloon, and secure it firmly with tape.
Tie the end of the balloon so you can pull it.
Next, cut a few slits in one end of a toilet paper tube, wrap it with vinyl tape to reinforce it, then attach it to the bottle to make a handle.
Finally, make a few targets and you’re done! It’s a science toy that lets you have fun learning how air can knock down targets.
It’s easy to make, so give it a try and play with it!
Running Robot
An exciting craft! Let me share an idea for a running robot.
Some of you might want to do a craft project but can’t think of a good idea, right? This time, let’s make a running robot that uses a windshield wiper mechanism.
You’ll need a rectangular plastic bottle, bamboo skewers, straws, thick paper, cardboard, plastic bottle caps, rubber bands, and so on.
It’s a great idea that lets you learn how a wiper mechanism works through crafting! Give it a try!
PET bottle bead accessories
Let’s make beads out of plastic bottles and create the accessories you’ve been wanting yourself! Cut out the body section of a plastic bottle and draw your favorite designs on it with a marker.
Once you’re done, cut it into small rectangles, arrange them on aluminum foil, and heat them in a toaster oven.
With heat, the plastic bottle pieces curl up into tube-shaped beads! Once you get to this stage, just thread them onto a string to make a bracelet or necklace.
To prevent them from overheating and melting, heat in short intervals!
Plastic Bottles Transformed! A Collection of Simple yet Amazing Craft Ideas (21–30)
A truly usable cooler made from cardboard
Here’s a DIY cooler idea using cardboard, plastic bottles, a battery pack, and a motor.
First, cut three circular holes in the side of the cardboard box, each the same size as the bottom of a plastic bottle.
Insert and secure plastic bottles cut to one-third length into the holes, using the bottle neck ends.
On the inside of the cardboard, attach a propeller to the side opposite the bottles, and make small holes on both sides.
Mount the motor’s switch on the lid, place ice packs inside, and close the box to finish.
Decorate as you like with vinyl tape or similar materials.
