Recommended for lower elementary school students! A collection of plastic bottle craft ideas made with everyday materials.

Kendama

How to Make a PET Bottle Kendama [Handmade Toy / Easy Craft]

There are simple yet fun things out there, right? “PET-bottle kendama” is exactly one of those.

All you need are two plastic bottles with different mouth sizes, one cap, and a piece of string.

The size difference makes it more fun to play.

Cut both bottles in half, and don’t use the halves without the mouths.

Since the cut edges are dangerous, cover them with vinyl tape for protection.

Fasten the string to the bottle cap, then sandwich it between the two bottle mouths and wrap with tape.

It also seems like you could swap the cap for a ping-pong ball.

Kalimba

It makes funny sounds! Let's make a plastic-bottle kalimba

We’re going to try making an ethnic instrument called a “kalimba.” You’ll need about ten plastic coffee stirrers, one wooden chopstick, a PET bottle, a wooden board (like a kamaboko fish-cake board), and some thick wire.

First, use the wire to fasten the wooden board securely to the PET bottle.

Place the chopstick on top of the board to create a step, then line up the stirrers—trimmed at the tips—so they can be inserted and rest over the step.

Fasten everything firmly so that plucking the stirrers with your fingers produces sound.

If you adjust the length of the stirrers, you might even be able to get a do–re–mi scale!

Gumball capsule machine

[Craft] I tried making a transparent gumball capsule toy machine! Gacha DIY with a plastic bottle – Milkids Club Saorin – DIY Transparent Gumball Machine

By cleverly combining plastic bottles, you can make a machine that dispenses gumballs.

If you fill it with gums of various colors, it also becomes a beautiful decorative piece.

The trickiest part of the craft is making a round tube from a plastic bottle.

Cut out a rectangle just big enough for a single gum to pass through; if the gum goes through smoothly there, the rest should be easy to assemble.

Since you’ll be using a utility knife a lot, please make it with an adult.

keychain

[What can you make?] A recycled keychain made from a plastic bottle

We’re going to make a “Feather Charm” by using a plastic bottle to create bird-like feathers.

This involves detailed work, so please be careful with your hands.

First, create a plastic sheet from the bottle.

The size is up to you.

Cut it into the shape of a bird’s feather.

If you imagine a leaf and add lots of slits, it will look more feather-like.

Punch a hole and attach it to a keychain or earrings, and you’re done.

snow globe

Sparkly and beautiful: a snow globe made from a plastic bottle — DIY craft video

This is easy and you can make it right away! The slow-moving liquid part of a snow globe is made with laundry starch (liquid glue).

First, fill a plastic bottle about 70% with water, then just add your favorite glittery items.

You can also write any words you like on a piece of plastic sheet and put it in.

After that, add the laundry starch and close the lid.

You can decorate the bottle itself too, so try making a sparkly snow globe!

Beaded accessories

One of a kind in the world! PET bottle beads

The material of plastic bottles curls up when heated.

We can use that property to make beads.

It’s easier to work with the larger 1.5L bottles.

First, cut the bottle to make a plastic sheet about 6 cm by 10 cm, and draw any design you like on it with a marker.

After drawing, cut it into 3 cm by 3 cm squares, place them on crumpled aluminum foil, and heat them in a toaster.

Keep an eye on them to judge the heating time.

That’s it—your beads are done.

Now you can thread them onto string or pipe cleaners and have fun!

propeller plane

A plastic bottle propeller car powered by rubber

Use the power of rubber bands to turn a propeller.

In the past, there were lots of toys that used rubber.

You’ll need 20–30 rubber bands, a bamboo skewer, and two plastic bottles.

Cut the plastic bottles in half and make slits at the cut edge like octopus legs.

You’ll need four blades.

Carefully shape the cut pieces into a propeller by applying gentle pressure.

Link 20–30 rubber bands together to make a single bundle and attach it to the bamboo skewer with glue—this becomes the power source.

Fix this inside the other plastic bottle, then attach it to the propeller you made first.

You can use the same principle to make an airplane too.

Give it a try!