75 Inspiring Craft Ideas Using Plastic Bottles
Loraine loves arts and crafts and used to volunteer at an elementary art class. She loves sharing fun and easy craft tutorials.
Finding the best plastic bottle crafts has been so much fun because the crafts that I found are just beautiful. It's hard to believe that some of these crafts were made with plastic bottles. I'd have a hard time choosing which of the craft projects is my favorite; there are many of them that fit that category. I'm going to share these recycled plastic bottle crafts with you.
All the plastic bottle crafts shown in this article have a picture shown and also the craft site's address and name, which will take you directly to the instructions for the craft. I hope you enjoy looking at and checking out these great crafts made from plastic bottles.
To make the beautiful bonsai tree shown above, go to the CRAFT site for a great picture tutorial.
1. Whimsical Spring Wreath
When you see a close-up of this wreath you'll understand why I think you'll be interested in making one like it. Be sure to visit tater tots & jello to see how beautiful this wreath actually is, and how easy it is to make. You'll find the tutorial there also.
2. Automatic Cat Waterer
This would be the perfect solution to keeping water out for the cat if you have to be away for a few days. It's so simple and yet so useful. Find the instructions at Lee Holmes. You have to scroll down on the page a bit for this craft.
3.Parrot Kesha
This project probably isn't for the kids to attempt, but teens and older can easily make this parrot. The pictured, step-by-step tutorial at iCreativeIdeas.com will show you exactly how to achieve this super cute parrot. This parrot is cute enough to use as a party decoration or in a home setting.
4. Airplane Bank
Saving money might be easier when putting it into an airplane bank. Anyway, recycling the plastic bottle into something useful is always a winning idea. Find the instructions for making this airplane bank at the brightnest site.
5. Swan Planter
Make sure you check the tutorial for making a swan planter like the ones shown, at FabArtDIY.com. The tutorial is very easy to follow and understand. This is a great way to use plastic bottles.
6. Leaves Chandelier
Just imagine how beautiful chandeliers like this would look used at an evening outdoor wedding. I'm really impressed with this project. You'll find all the information that you'll need to make a chandelier like this one when you go to iCreativeIdeas.com for the tutorial.
7. Ladybug Family
8. Milk Bottle Flower Heart
The tutorial for making this beautiful wedding decoration can be found at the Crafty corner website. I'm really impressed with this inexpensive decoration that has a definite elegant look.
9. Candle Sleeve Magic
This is a super beautiful idea to give a decorator touch to a pillar candle. If you don't want to use a real pillar candle, the flameless pillar candles would work also. You'll find a great pictured tutorial at REDO IT YOURSELF INSPIRATIONS. These would make outstanding gifts or table decorations for weddings, Valentine's Day, etc.
10. Cuff Bracelets
I realize that there are about three different bracelet projects here, but each of them is made in a unique way, so I want you to have a choice. To see what is different about this bracelet project, go to CHARISA DARLING to find the tutorial.
11. Flower Hair Planters
This is a really cute idea for the kids. Especially if they want to make a gift for someone and they want to give their present a humorous feel. The easy to make planters have instructions at DipFeed, to follow.
12. Shakers
Even the littlest kids, preschoolers and kindergarten, will love making and playing with these cheerful looking shakers. The instructions are found at Things to Make and Do. A fun and easy to do project for kids.
13. Puggy Bank
Making a puggy bank is a bit more work, but bigger kids can easily do it. Especially if they follow the tutorial found at StowandTellU. An outstanding likeness to the little pug puppies.
14. Swiss Candy Necklace
Who wouldn't love to wear an elegant necklace like this? The plastic beads look like expensive glass. Find out how easy it is to make this necklace by going to AUNT PEACHES for the tutorial.
15. Beautiful Butterflies
Make beautiful butterflies by following the tutorial found at instructables. The site doesn't have butterfly patterns, but you can use the patterns at Kids & Glitter.
16. Crystal Crown
Make every little girl and boy feel like royalty with these crowns. Great party idea. Go to paper, plate and plane for instructions. This could also be made as a classroom project when studying empires.
17. Fancy Bracelets
This would be a great and inexpensive activity for a girl's birthday or sleepover party. All that's needed is a plastic soda bottle, a string of beads and embroidery or other cotton yarn thread. Use the easy to follow instructions at NOT JUST ANY BEE.
18. Pet Pots
Although I really like these little pet pots as planters, I can easily imagine them in a baby's room to hold pins and other small items that you want to keep close by. Find out how to make the pet pots by going to Handimania for the tutorial.
19. Teapot for a Tea Party
20. Water Bottle Flower Container
Make this useful flower container using an empty water bottle. Go to dollar store crafts for the directions. It's hard to believe that the flower containers were once just water bottles.
21. Flirty Octopus
Find the directions at CRAFTS BY Amanda to make this flirty octopus. The bright pink of this project really makes it stand out.
22. Colorful Butterfly
Make this beautiful butterfly using a water bottle. This craft can be found at Crissy's Crafts You'll have so much fun painting and decorating the butterflies.
23. Apple For The Teacher
This would be a nice anytime teacher gift. Fill the apple with cinnamon candies or some other red or green paper covered candy. The directions can be found on the CREATIVE JEWISH MOM site.
24. Stained Glass Votive Holder
A cool new look for a votive holder. Decorate profusely with these, you can get the instructions at instructables. You'll be able to make so many different color combinations considering all the colors Sharpie pens come in.
25. Water Bottle Flowers
Make these flowers for a Springtime or wedding decoration. Go to Crissy's Crafts for all the instructions needed to make these beauties. A baby shower would also be a time decorations like these could be used.
26. Jewelry Stand
Not only an attractive, but also a useful container for jewelry or small items on your desk. The instructions are at EPBOT. The blossom shape of the containers really enhance this piece.
27. Bird Feeder
This bird feeder will be a nice addition to your backyard or patio. Very attractive. You'll find this project, with the instructions, at favecrafts. This is one of my favorite projects because it is so attractive and also useful.
28. Fall Treat Containers
Think of all the different occasions you could use little containers like this for. Favor containers at a gala or Halloween treat boxes or only a couple of suggestions. Go to Alessia scrap and craft to find out how to make these.
29. Planters
This is so easy that I'm surprised I haven't seen this project before. Beach Petals is the place to go to find the instructions. I think I could find uses for these beauties as containers on my desk too.
30. Drawer Organizer
Sort all of those little items that get tossed together in a junk drawer into these separate drawer organizer containers. To make this even easier, use the new decorator Duck tape to finish the edges. Find the rest of the directions at Makezine.
31. Rocket Jet Pack
What little boy, or girl, wouldn't love to imagine taking off in a jet pack rocket? Go to Doodle Craft for the instructions.
32. Hair Styling Doll
I know a few little girls that would enjoy making and playing with this hair styling doll. You'll find a great tutorial for making a doll head like this at HANDMADE CHARLOTTE. Impressive!
33. Cherry Blossom Wall Art
Here is a way to use a plastic bottle to make wall art. This would be a fun classroom or scout project. Find the directions at alphamom. Everyone who I've talked to who's done this project, just raves about how much fun it is.
34. Owl Pocket Holder
The instructions from PYSSELBOLAGET are written in a foreign language, but the photos are great and easy to follow. I can imagine an owl pocket hanging in the bathroom holding tooth brushes or ponytail bands. I'm sure you'll be able to come up with good uses also.
35. Soda Bottle Flower
Add a pin or a magnet behind this elegant flower so you can wear it or put it on the refrigerator. You'll find the directions on the Beach Petals site. Maybe even attach the flower to a skewer and use it as a plant pick.
36. Monster Men (or Women)
Make these really cool monsters with plastic bottles. For the instructions, go to Craftberry Bush. Be sure to start early, saving up plastic bottles, so you'll have plenty to make a real Monster Mash.
37. Fancy Bracelet
Although this site, PYSSELBOLAGET is written in a foreign language, it has pictures that are easy to understand. These ideas should jump start your imagination, thinking up other ways to decorate these bracelets.
38. Flower Pot
This is really a project that makes a person think of Spring. You'll find the instructions for this flower pot project at Craft Ideas. Consider this as a Spring or Summer centerpiece starter.
39. Making Mushrooms
40. Making Beads
Cut Out + Keep gives directions on how to make your own beads. Once you have the beads made, you'll find lots of things to make with them. If you make enough of them, think about a beaded curtain. Cool!
41. Rainbow Fish
I can just see these cute fish as a decoration in an elementary classroom. Help the teacher make some of these by finding the directions on the Filth Wizardry site. I'd love to see these rainbow fish hanging in an elementary school library.
42. Santa Boots
I love this project making Santa boots using plastic bottles. This outstanding craft has a tutorial at Fab Diy.
43. Terrarium Cloche
The directions for this project are found at Doodle Craft. Imagine all the ways this cloche can be used in your decor.
44. Snowflake Ornaments
It's amazing what folks will dream up. So easy and so practical, find the instructions on the Ornament Shop site.
45. Cookie or Cupcake Packaging
Here is another of those, "Why didn't I think of that?" projects. Make really cool packaging for gifts. You'll find the directions at paper, plate and plane.
46. Bottle Bank
A quick and easy bank to make for saving for a vacation or other special occasion. Find out how to make this bank by going to the Martha Stewart site.
47. Woven Bowl
I think this would be a great project for a classroom or home school art class. Go to CREATIVE JEWISH MOM to see why I think it would be suitable as an art project.
48. Bottle Bottom Ornaments
Although this is written in a foreign language, you won't have any problem understanding how to make the ornaments. Go to Artesan to see how to make them.
49. Shrinky Dink Bracelet
Did you know that you could make shrinky plastic items using the plastic containers that some grocery items come in? I know that I'm going to make this project with the grandkids in the near future. The directions for how to make the shrinky bracelet shown above can be found at Rust & Sunshine.
50. Glitter Vases
This is an especially easy project that looks beautiful made up. For the instructions, go to paper, plate and plane.
51. Christmas Angel
You'll find the instructions for making this Christmas bottle angel at AllFreeCrafts.com. Make three of these to display on the mantle.
52. Easter Baskets
Make Easter basket or May basket using the directions that you'll find at sycamore stirrings. These are ever so cute!
53. Flower Wreath
This is really an all weather wreath. Find out how to make it by following the directions that you'll find at Ruffled.
54. Chicken Easter Basket
55. How to Make a Plastic Bottle Room Divider
56. Easter Bunny Treat Containers
You can make these darling Easter bunny treat containers by following the instructions given at Dollar Store Crafts. These will be inexpensive enough to make to give as favors at an Easter celebration.
57. Candy Dish
I can really think of a lot of ways that this little candy dish could be used. Imagine this holding chocolate kisses for a Valentine party or gummy worms for a boys birthday party. I can see it used for a baby shower or a bridal shower to hold candies, flowers or small favors. Find the instructions for making this cute candy dish by going to the Home-Dzine site.
58. Give a Hoot Owl
The instructions at craftberry bush shows you, with pictures, exactly how the plastic bottle has to be cut to make this owl. This is a cute and useful little owl.
59. Creamer Bottle Snowman
Start saving your creamer bottle snow so you can make a nice snowman arrangement for the mantle or table. The tutorial for making this project can be found at crafty Staci.
60. DIY Bracelet
You'll find the directions for making this, and another, attractive bracelet at Busy Mom Help. Imagine this bracelet in other colors also.
61. Cannisters
I really like these small canisters for holding small items like tea bags and creamer or sugar packets. You'll find the instructions for making these canisters from plastic bottles at How to Recycle.
62. Party Chandelier
Imagine the comments you'll receive when your friends see the beautiful chandelier that you have made. Go to OH HAPPY DAY for the instructions for this project.
63. Helicopter
The directions at Wonderful DIY are written in a foreign language, but the step by step instructions are easy enough to follow.
A few of these hanging from the ceiling of a little boys room would really look great. There are a group of projects shown, this one is with the blue waterstraw.
64. Stick Horse
This A THRIFY Mom uses a recycled plastic bottle to make a stick horse for her little one.
Go to her site for the instructions on making the stick horse.
65. Ribbon Dispenser
This is a great idea for keeping ribbons from tangling. You'll find the directions for making this dispenser at Livemaster. This is a foreign language blog, but the pictures tell the story.
66. Piggy Banks
Making cute animal piggy banks are a lot easier than they appear.
Find pictured instructions for making these cow and pig piggy banks by going to the instructables site.
67. Kiddy Snowmen
You'll have some happy little kids if you help them make these snowmen. Easy enough for the littlest kiddos to make. Find the instructions at Mom to 2 Posh Little Divas.
68. Bottle Flower Chandelier
You can paint your chandelier any color you choose when you make your own chandelier following the instructions that you'll find at the feminist housewife.
69. Spinner Storage
Talk about having all your supplies in one easy to get at area, this is the answer. You'll find out how to make this storage spinner at favecrafts. And the price is right!
70. Bottle Doll
Ever so often I run across a craft that I consider more of an art than a craft. This unique doll is an example of what I consider more art than craft. See what I mean by going to papemelroti for the instructions for making the doll. I think this could become a cherished family heirloom.
71. Turtle Magic
Although the directions for these really cute little turtle containers is written in a foreign language, the photo tutorial explains exactly how to make them. Go to Kreativ Klub for the photo tutorial. So cute!!
72. Plastic Bottle Pencils
73. Tic Tac Toe Game
Make this cute Tic-Tac-Toe game using the bottle caps from plastic bottles for the game pieces. The round game board is a recycled CD disc.
74. Fish Art
Although the instructions at I Heart Crafty Things uses milk lids for this art project, it would be easy to paint bottle caps to make the fish.
75. Bottle Cap Bugs
These are really cute and I think I would fill the bottle caps and glue a magnet on the bottom of the bugs to use as magnets. Find the tutorial for making these bugs at This Grandma is Fun.
Questions & Answers
Question: Where can I send my bottle caps so they can be reused for craft projects?
Answer: Try senior centers or nursing homes, elementary schools and Sunday school classes all do craft projects and I'm sure they would appreciate the caps, especially if you gave them an idea or two for how to use them in crafts. For instance, I've added a few bottle cap crafts, #'s 73, 74 and 75, to the plastic bottle crafts article. If you show pictures or suggest uses for the bottle caps when you offer them, I'm sure someone will snatch them from you quickly and thank you for the ideas.
© 2012 Loraine Brummer
Have You Ever Made A Plastic Bottle Craft?
awesome kid on September 14, 2020:
wow these are cool im a=going to make some of them today
màryblessing udemba on July 30, 2020:
Very nice work.
Guadalupe Garza on June 29, 2020:
Beautiful projects to. C
Keepkids busy
Briony on March 21, 2020:
I tried the turtle magic and ot wad an amazing craft for me to while i was off school
Tena on October 08, 2019:
Wow!
This is some awesome artwork and an excellent way to clean up the environment!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Stay blessed!!!
saru@vivek on September 23, 2019:
yar......thank u so much ur creativity , helps me too learn to all my cities instead of sitting quite and sad i m very inspired form u all ...always greatful
Jason from Indianapolis, IN. USA on September 21, 2019:
You have compiled quite the list here. I say kudos to you. Nice way to clean up the land fills proactively. If plastic is meant to exist for decades, upcycle and repurpose it.
Marissa on August 26, 2019:
Love love love! Definitely going to do tons of these! Very inspiring!
Darrietta Redding on July 12, 2019:
I love your craft ideals. I work in a day program for adults, and I am always look for craft to keep them busy.
L on June 30, 2019:
Rainy day fun for little ones! So many niceideas! Thanks
ruffles on January 28, 2019:
wtf is this bulldoodoo
Shae on September 26, 2018:
I love this so cute
sweetnlowe from Tennessee on March 26, 2018:
I have searched many times for recycled bottle crafts and this is by far the best collection I've found. Thanks so much for sharing.
Janna joy D. Vecina on September 18, 2017:
fun and wonderful crafts for school projects
mishaal on September 05, 2017:
really inspiring and awesome i loved it
manjima karan on August 02, 2017:
Very nice nd creative...... And also inspiring....
iamradiantrose on March 23, 2017:
Wow, such a well researched hub! Love the ideas. I'll be scrounging up some plastic bottles to try the ribbon dispenser for sure. I have a ton of ribbons in a drawer that could use a little help. Thank you for the great ideas.
Margarida Borges from Lyon, France on September 22, 2016:
Great ideas! I love the monsters!
Janice Miller from Middletown Ct on September 20, 2016:
Well done, my friend. I some how think that you must of put a lot of time into this. As far a finding things.
Thrisha on September 17, 2016:
Omg it's fabulous .My favourite is shrink dink bracelets .Wow lovely ! But the only thing is I don't have an oven
Genesis Davies from Guatemala on March 31, 2014:
I liked all of these, but the piggy banks are pretty cool!
Renee Dixon from Kentucky on January 09, 2014:
i loved these ideas! this is a very cool way to recycle and i especially love the drawer organizer and coin zip up purse! thanks for sharing
Michelllle on September 14, 2013:
SOOO many wonderful ideas. I love the piggy bank, the bats, and the plastic bottle purse with zipper. Beautiful Lens!
WhiteIsland on September 04, 2013:
I love the jewelry crafts: shrinky dink bracelet, soda bottle flower and swiss candy necklace (in the intro picture). They're so pretty, who would ever think they were made from plastic bottles? :) I also like the pumpkin/apple favor boxes -- very cute! Thanks for gathering these tutorials together for us!
kigenemmanuel on August 13, 2013:
Great utility of plastic bottles which could have otherwise been thrown and add more strain to the environment. Probably the best DIY crafts lens i have ever read. As you said earlier, "It's hard to believe that some of these crafts were made with plastic bottles."
Cynthia Haltom from Diamondhead on May 17, 2013:
Very impressive crafts, I like to upcycle plastic bottle and you have given me some great ideas. I am currently making a chandelier from water bottles.
linsm76 on May 16, 2013:
Great ideas for crafts out of plastic bottles vs cluttering up our landfills with them.
Birthday Wishes from Here on April 08, 2013:
I like the luminaries the most, but I must say that I have found a lot of cool things to make on your lens! Thanks a lot for sharing this great lens! From now on I will not throw my plastic bottles in the trash...
John Dyhouse from UK on February 01, 2013:
I like the plant containers. I am going to do this for my own garden, I use lots of pots / containers but thie would give me something different and used like your image would also add a height dimension. - thanks for a few good ideas.
Snakesmum on January 31, 2013:
What a great way to recycle plastic bottles! Nice lens
MBCOnline on January 27, 2013:
Love the bird feeder!
Monica Lobenstein from Western Wisconsin on January 23, 2013:
Great collection of ideas! I like the "crystal" case and the drawer organizer best.
RinchenChodron on November 09, 2012:
What fun! You find some of the most unique ideas here. Love the necklace.
Peggy Hazelwood from Desert Southwest, U.S.A. on September 09, 2012:
I love that bird feeder! Fun crafts!
JoyfulReviewer on August 29, 2012:
So many unique and clever ideas for using plastic bottles for crafts. I think the cherry blossom wall art is quite lovely. And I like the water bottle flower container. Thanks for compiling another great craft resource. ~~Blessed~~
Melissa Miotke from Arizona on August 28, 2012:
These are so creative. My favorite is the necklace made of plastic bottles. Blessed!
tatiana-sougakova on August 24, 2012:
Loved your plastic bottle necklace. Looks artsy and expensive.
mysweetjane lm on August 24, 2012:
some great ideas here!
DesignSpace on August 23, 2012:
These are incredibly cute and cool! This lens made me smile. I might try to make some of these!
Addie Johnson on August 23, 2012:
Lovely lens. I love the Luminaries -- I definitely want to try something like that :)
Kumar P S on August 23, 2012:
Nice lens ! Thanks for sharing.
Linda Pogue from Missouri on August 22, 2012:
Wow! Wish I had access to this page when I was a Girl Scout leader. Fun crafts! Blessings!
Help4You LM on August 22, 2012:
Oh my gosh, there are so many amazing projects in here! I think my favorite was the little purses but the cherry blossom art was cute too!
fathomblueEG on August 16, 2012:
I like the fish mobile and the stained glass looking fish the best but they are all really ingenious designs and have great functionality as well. Thank you for inspiring us with this lens:-)
