31 DIY Water Bottle Uses and Craft Ideas You’re Going To Love

We all know there is a big push to not use plastics and things that contribute to the landfills. We have been asked to use reusable items to help in that area.

One of the biggest culprits of plastics filling up the landfill are plastic bottles. Whether it be for water, sodas, or a myriad of other things, we have all used them.

But, we could RE-USE them and that would be better than just throwing them away. Plus, it can save us money in the long run – repurposing these plastic bottles instead of them ending up in the landfills.

Did you know..?

“How long does it take a plastic water bottle to decompose?

Traditional plastic bottles are made out of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It’s a lightweight and flexible material that doesn’t decompose easily, mainly because bacteria cannot consume and break down the chemicals used in PET.

A plastic bottle made from PET takes around 450 years to decompose. Plastic erodes into smaller, often undetectable nanoplastics, which can make their way into our ecosystem. In recent years, traces of nano and microplastics have been discovered in remote areas of the Arctic Ocean and even within the placentas of unborn babies.“

Forge Recycling

That’s a looooong time! So, let’s find a better use, shall we?

We have found several truly out-of-the-box DIY projects and crafts for repurposing and reusing your old water bottles that are not only eco-friendly but also a lot of fun. Let’s check out these unique and imaginative water bottle uses and craft ideas!

Here we go!

For The Garden

Water Bottle Planters

You can use old plastic water bottles to make some great planters. These creations are perfect for your indoor plants or starting a windowsill herb garden.

Here’s how to do it:

• grab an empty water bottle
• remove the label
• make small holes in the base for drainage
• fill it with potting soil
• plant your seeds or baby plants

and voilà! You’ve got yourself a fun little planter. Decorate the outside with colorful tape or paint for an extra touch of creative genius.

If you’re feeling super crafty, you can even make your own little hanging garden by stringing multiple bottles together and hanging them from a balcony or trellis.

Self-Watering Plant Globes

For those of us who are forgetful when it comes to our plant-watering duties, this craft is a must have. You can make your own self-watering plant globes using water bottles to keep your plants hydrated. Using a water bottle to water – clever, huh?

• cut out the bottom section of a plastic water bottle
• make small holes around the neck of the bottle
• turn it over
• place it lid side down into the soil of your potted plant
• fill the bottle with water

as the soil dries out it will automatically absorb the water from the bottle. It’s perfect for giving them the water when they need it and you don’t have to worry about watering so often.

Light ’em Up!

Water Bottle Lanterns

Water bottle lanterns – who knew?! These fun lights are perfect for outdoor gatherings, backyard parties, or just adding a touch of magic to your evenings.

• cut the neck off of a water bottle (large enough to get the tea light inside
• leave the bottom section intact
• decorate the outside with paint, markers, or glue on adornments
• place a battery-operated tea light inside for a soft, warm glow

Hang these lanterns in your garden or from tree branches for a beautiful look.

Twinkling Fireflies

Remember fireflies as a kid? They were always so magical the way they flew around lighting up and then disappearing. You can make water bottles into glowing fireflies that will excite your kids.

• paint the outside of your water bottle with glow-in-the-dark paint or attach glow sticks to the inside
• Add googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennas to your “firefly”.

Charge the paint and/or glow sticks in the sunlight during the day, and watch as they twinkle at night, and make your kids eyes light up!

Chandelier

Who said chandeliers have to be expensive? With a few water bottles and some craftiness, you can create your very own beautiful light.

• cut the bottom out of each bottle
• add a bit of color with paint or fabric to your bottles
• attach them together by making small holes in the neck or near the bottom and string them together with twine in your chosen configuration

Creativity is key here – you can make a beautiful hanging chandelier that will be an absolute conversation starter.

Storage Solutions

Crafty Containers

Water bottles make great containers for organizing small items like beads, buttons, and craft supplies. Give your workspace a burst of color by repurposing these bottles into storage solutions.

• cut the tops off your water bottles
• sand down any rough edges
• decorate them with colorful duct tape or washi tape
• label each container for easy identification

Now, you have a quirky and workable way to keep your craft supplies in order.

Snack Packs

Turn your water bottles into portable snack packs. This will help keep your snacks fresh.

• cut the bottle into two sections—use the bottom part for your snacks and the top part as a lid
• add adhesive or decorative tape over the cut edges to make them smooth
• add your favorite snacks

You’re ready to snack wherever you go, these are perfect for kids and it saves having to use a plastic “baggy”!

Office Storage Containers

Much like the snack pack above, you can use these are storage for all sorts of things. You can keep everything organized and neatly tucked away. Cut off the top part of the water bottle, leaving a deep enough container.

These plastic containers can serve as fantastic desk organizers, storing everything from:

• pencils
• pens
• paper clips
• rubber bands
• thumbtacks

You can even attach several bottles together and create a larger, modular storage solution. The possibilities are endless!

Making Music

Water Bottle Maracas

Let’s make music with DIY water bottle maracas. This craft is not only entertaining but also a great way to introduce kids to the fun of music.

• fill a clean, empty water bottle with rice, dried beans, or small pebbles
• make sure the lid is fastened on tightly
• decorate the outside with paint or stickers

Shake, rattle, and roll to the beat of your own maracas. These are perfect for toddler dance parties or music lessons at home.

Water Bottle Pan Flute

Let’s get musical with a water bottle pan flute! This craft lets you create beautiful music in just a few simple steps.

• gather a few empty water bottles of different sizes
• cut the bottoms off at different lengths, this will create a range of pitches
• decorate each bottle with colorful tape or markers
• arrange them from shortest to tallest and blow gently across the tops to produce musical notes.

It’s an orchestra in the making!

Wind Chimes

I love wind chimes of all kinds – but, I quickly learned when I moved to Texas that they needed to be HEAVY DUTY because the wind here will break, smash, and tangle ordinary wind chimes.

But, for those of you fortunate enough to live somewhere where the wind isn’t 40 mph, these windchimes are for you!

There’s something magical about the sound of wind chimes making music in the breeze. Let’s add a touch of whimsy to your outdoor space by creating your own wind chimes out of water bottles.

Not only will these homemade wind chimes bring joy to your ears, but they’ll also add a delightful visual element to your surroundings.

Fashion Jewelry

Water Bottle Necklace

Believe it or not, you can craft unique jewelry from your used water bottles.

• cut the bottom off of your water bottle
• cut a slit between the “humps” on the piece you removed
• place a hand towel or cloth over the piece and use an iron to heat it up to make it lay a bit flatter
• use paint and beads or other adornments to decorate it the way you want
• make a small hole at one edge and use whatever “chain” you want for your new necklace!

You’ll be amazed at how pretty your water bottle necklace can be!

You can find this and other pieces of jewelry here.

A Bottle, Your Creativity, And Viola!

Not only are these ideas entertaining and visually beautiful, but they’re also helping by repurposing. Let’s unleash our creativity, one water bottle at a time.

Gather your supplies and let your imagination run wild! Get ready to amaze yourself and inspire others with your masterpieces.

The possibilities for creative water bottle uses and craft ideas are as limitless as your imagination. From practical planters to whimsical lanterns, these crafts breathe new life into old bottles.

So, grab your water bottle, a dash of creativity, and let the crafting adventures begin.