How to Make a Watering Can

What You Need:

• Liquid laundry detergent bottles
• Sharp scissors or utility knife (adult only)
• Non-toxic permanent markers
• Hole punch

What You Do:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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 for ideas!

Voila! Your child has a simple, environmentally-friendly watering can that's sure to put a smile on any gardener's face.