Fun And Creative Crafts With Recycled Plastic Soda Bottles

Last Updated on July 7, 2025 by teamobn

Though we can’t say that everybody drinks soda, we’re sure that every household buys products in plastic bottle containers. Now before you throw away those plastic bottles, you might want to consider these creative upcycling projects.

There are several great ideas out there, for small water bottles up to 2-liter soda bottles. Some are simply decorative, while others prove to be really useful organizers and containers for the home.

Soda Bottle Craft Ideas

Take a look at our examples — and maybe do some of them with the kids? 🙂

Lawn Sprinkler

Turn a two-liter soda bottle into a thrifty lawn sprinkler that saves water and money. Rinse the bottle, then heat a nail and pierce ten to twelve evenly spaced holes around the lower half. 

Wrap plumber’s tape around a standard garden hose connector, push it firmly over the bottle opening, and tighten with a hose clamp. Lay the bottle horizontally on the grass and adjust water pressure until the spray pattern covers the desired area. 

Rotate or reposition every ten minutes for even coverage. The lightweight design makes it kid-safe and easy to store. When finished, detach and hang the bottle to drain, stopping algae growth between uses.

Bird Feeders

Create an inviting bird buffet using a clear soda bottle, a pair of wooden spoons, and sturdy twine. Drill two pairs of opposite holes, one pair low, the other high, so the spoon handles slide through and the scoops jut out as feeding trays. Fill the bottle with seed, cap it, and tie twine around the neck for hanging. 

As birds perch on the spoon scoops, seed trickles out to refill them, reducing waste and constant refills. Position the feeder near shrubs to give visiting finches or chickadees quick cover from predators. Clean monthly with mild soap to keep avian diners healthy and returning.

Butterflies

Transform lightweight soda bottles into colorful butterflies that brighten a child’s room or garden fence. Trim flat panels from rinsed bottles and sketch symmetrical wing shapes. Cut them out with sharp scissors, then gently score along the body line so wings bend upward for a lifelike flutter. 

Paint both sides with acrylics or permanent markers, adding dots and stripes for a monarch or swallowtail look. Glue a chenille stem body down the center, curling antennae at the tips. Poke two small holes and thread clear fishing line to suspend each butterfly midair, where sunlight catches the translucent plastic and makes colors glow like stained glass.

Organizer

Turn a one-liter bottle into a desk organizer that finally tames those stray chargers and sticky notes. Slice the top third off with a craft knife, then score three vertical lines to fold inward and form shallow pockets. 

Wrap the base in twine or fabric for a finished look, hot-gluing as you go. Punch two small holes near the rim and add a wire handle so you can hang it on a pegboard or carry it room to room. 

This soda bottle craft hides clutter while keeping daily essentials visible at a glance. Add labels for power cords, pens, or receipts, and the soda bottle craft becomes a personalized command center that costs almost nothing.

Stationary Supply Storage

Give pencils, markers, and erasers a neat home using a quick soda bottle craft that stacks like modular bricks. Cut several equal-height sections from identical bottles, sand the edges smooth, and hot-glue them side by side in a honeycomb shape. 

Spray paint the cluster with matte white, then line each cell with colorful washi tape so kids spot their staples instantly. The flat backs let you Velcro the unit inside a locker door or on a study wall. 

Because each tube is clear inside, you know when supplies run low without rifling through drawers. Replacing worn units is simple, just repeat the soda bottle craft with another empty bottle before the recycling bin claims it.

Jewelry Stand

Display earrings and bangles on a spinning pedestal made from a two-liter bottle and an old CD. Slice the bottle into three graduated rings, flip them so the curved edges face up, and drill tiny holes along the lips to hang hooks or studs. 

Thread the bottle neck through the CD, add a wooden dowel into the opening for stiffness, then secure everything onto a small wooden base. Paint the tiers rose gold to look boutique-worthy. Because each level rotates independently, matching pieces takes seconds. Dust the surfaces with a microfiber cloth to keep sparkle intact. 

This elegant soda bottle craft makes accessorizing fun, proves upcycling can be chic, and inspires friends to try their own soda bottle craft weekend project.

Wall Garden

Build a vertical herb wall from two-liter bottles and turn a blank fence into living décor. 

Selecting and Cleaning Bottles

Choose clear two-liter bottles without deep scratches. Rinse out syrup then soak them in warm soapy water for ten minutes. Peel every label so sunlight reaches the roots. Swish a little bleach solution inside to kill mold spores, then air-dry upside down. 

A spotless bottle stops algae from clouding the walls and keeps herb roots healthy. This simple step means the soda bottle craft will last through many growing seasons and won’t smell sour on hot afternoons.

Cutting Windows and Drainage

Mark a wide rectangle on one side with a marker. Leave an inch of plastic at every edge for strength. Score the outline with a craft knife and finish with scissors for a clean cut. Punch three tiny holes near the base using a heated nail. 

They release extra water and stop roots from drowning after summer storms. Smooth any sharp edges with fine sandpaper so your hands stay safe during planting and later harvests.

Assembling Vertical Columns

Thread sturdy nylon rope through the bottle neck. Pull it out the drainage holes and into the next bottle’s neck, forming a tight stack. Tie a knot beneath each bottle so it sits level. Keep eight inches between stacks to let air and light reach every leaf. 

Mount stainless hooks along the fence top rail and clip the rope loops over them. The column sways gently in wind but stays secure because the knots lock each layer.

Soil Mix and Plant Choices

Fill midway with a mix of coco coir, perlite, and compost for drainage and nutrients. Press the mix lightly. Don’t pack it hard or roots will struggle. Tuck in basil, mint, lettuce, or trailing strawberries. 

Herbs love the warm plastic because it raises root temperature a few degrees. If you prefer flowers, try nasturtiums or petunias for cascades of color. Rotate plant types every season to refresh the soil and keep pests guessing.

Ongoing Care and Harvest

Water each column from the top until you see drips at the bottom. That signal means every pocket got a drink without waste. Mist leaves during heat waves to cool them quickly. Snip herbs often and they’ll sprout twice as bushy. 

When roots fill a bottle, slide the rope out, tip the plant, and re-pot into a deeper container. This maintenance keeps the soda bottle craft productive year after year while turning a plain wall into a pantry.

Seasonal Upgrades

Swap clear bottles for green ones in midsummer to cut light intensity and slow moisture loss. Add polymer crystals before the dry season starts to lock in extra moisture.

Cherry Blossom Art

Re-create a springtime cherry grove on canvas with nothing more than pink paint, a branch template, and bottle bottoms. Dip the base of a small soda bottle in pastel acrylic, then press it onto the canvas to stamp flawless five-petal blooms. 

Vary shades by adding a drop of white or crimson before each press. Paint slender branches with a fine brush and let blossoms overlap for depth. Flick tiny spots of tan over petals to hint at pollen. 

Frame the finished soda bottle craft and hang it in a hallway that needs a splash of color. Clean the bottle base with warm water and save it for future prints. Kids love this soda bottle craft because results look professional without hard technique.

Apple Containers

Turn green or red plastic bottles into apple-shaped gift boxes that snap closed like real fruit. Slice two bottoms about two inches high, sand edges smooth, then fit them together so the ridged sides meet. Heat a nail and punch a tiny hole through the top half. 

Twist a short piece of brown pipe cleaner through the hole for a stem and glue on a felt leaf. Fill the container with wrapped candies or a small pair of earrings. A light spritz of clear sealant gives the surface a glossy skin-like shine. 

The compact, reusable design makes this soda bottle craft ideal for party favors or teacher presents while keeping more plastic out of landfills.

Planters

Give houseplants a light, durable home by turning any soda bottle into a chic planter. Slice the bottle to the desired depth, then smooth the rim with fine sandpaper. Poke three small holes in the base so excess water escapes and roots stay healthy. 

Wrap the outside with jute twine or paint it with matte spray to match your décor. Fill halfway with lightweight potting mix, nestle your succulent or spider plant, and top with decorative pebbles. Clip a loop of wire under the bottle lip if you want a hanging basket. 

This soda bottle craft keeps plastic out of landfills, costs almost nothing, and lets you change colors or sizes whenever your indoor jungle expands.

Conclusion

Upcycling soda bottles turns everyday trash into useful tools and bright decor. Every soda bottle craft saves cash and keeps plastic out of landfills. These projects entertain children, organize desks, water lawns, and grow herbs. Clear steps and cheap materials mean beginners succeed on the first try. Keep experimenting and share your next soda bottle craft to inspire others.

Have you got other upcycled plastic bottle ideas?