Gardening moms and dads are sure to love this decorative watering can made from just an old liquid laundry soap bottle, colored wire, and markers. Better than store-bought, this handcrafted can—filled with pretty faux or real flowers—is extra special because it gets decorated by your kid. Guide him through this fun project that makes gift-giving simple and demonstrates the value of recycled materials.
What You Do:
- Before beginning, cut off the top portion of the detergent bottle, along the top ridge and just above the handle. Save cut-off tops for funnels to use in sand and water play. This bottle will be used to make the watering can.
- Have your child soak the bottle in warm water to remove the labels. Use scrub brushes to remove residue left on the bottle from labels. If he wants, he can do this outside in a tub of water.
- Encourage him to decorate the outside of the watering can with non-toxic permanent markers. He can create a colorful picture, or come up with a pretty pattern.
- For a variation, help him roll up pieces of tape and use them to attach flat plastic stencil shapes to the outside of the watering can. He can apply non-toxic permanent marker in a zigzag motion around the edge of the stencils. Remove the stencils and add detail to the shape outlines.
- Fill the watering can with homemade flowers, or fill the container with dirt and seeds. If he wants to make a decorative can filled with faux flowers, he can use scraps of fabric, tissue paper, or construction paper, and pipe cleaners. Check out these beautiful bouquets made from tissue paper and felt for ideas!
Voila! Your child has a simple, environmentally-friendly watering can that's sure to put a smile on any gardener's face.
Adapted with permission from "101 Great Gifts From Kids." Copyright 2002 by Stephanie R. Meuller and Ann E. Wheeler. Used by Permission of Gryphon House, Inc., Maryland. All Rights Reserved.