Placement Activity: Recycled Garden

This activity is a simple idea of how to recycle an old bottle by using it for an art project.  It could be effective for kids of all ages, and even as a craft idea to use when working with the elderly!  Finger paint is recommended because it is fun and clean, and the touch sensation is great to use with younger kids (Refer to the Placement Guide for an easy Finger Paint recipe).

Activity/Idea name:
Recycled Garden!

Brief description of the placement where you work (please include ages, number of people, languages spoken, other etc):

It’s sometimes very hard to find an activity that is conducive to an age range of children. I found that this simple paint project can accommodate a wide range of ages. It allows children to recycle bottles to use in an art project.

Goal of the activity:
Create a beautiful flower painting using a plastic bottle.  When all of the kids' paintings are put together, you get a wonderful recycled garden!

Required resources:

• Paint(finger paint works well)
• Paper
• Empty and washed soda bottles
• Optional: twigs, berries, string etc.

Step-by-step process:
Collect soda bottles- wash well. Put paint into separate dishes so the children can choose their color. Have the children first paint the flower's ‘stem’- with their fingers. Then have them dip the bottom of the soda bottle in any color paint and create a beautiful painting!

Source:
http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/cherry-blossom-art-from-a-recycled-soda-bottle/