Playtime Pantry

Activities with plastic bottles

You probably have this already. 13 ideas
  • Scarf Pull-Through: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Scarf Pull-Through

    5–20 min 8 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • a cardboard tube or container
    • scarves or fabric strips
  • Endless Pulling Box: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Endless Pulling Box

    5–20 min 7 mo–2 yrs Low mess
    • a box or tub with a small opening
    • scarves or fabric strips
  • Rolling Bottle Chase: the setup, laid out
    5–15 min 6–18 months Low mess
    • a clear plastic bottle
    • rice, beans or pasta
    • strong tape for the lid
  • Bottle Bowling: the setup, laid out
    Good for siblings

    Burn energy

    Bottle Bowling

    10–30 min 2–9 yrs Low mess
    • empty bottles or cups
    • a ball
  • Bubble Snake: the setup, laid out

    Burn energy

    Bubble Snake

    10–25 min 3–10 yrs Some mess
    • a plastic bottle
    • dish soap
    • water
  • Bath Pouring Station: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Bath Pouring Station

    15–40 min 12 mo–6 yrs Low mess
    • a bath, sink or tub of water
    • cups and containers
  • Calm Down Jar: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Calm Down Jar

    10–25 min 3–10 yrs Some mess
    • a clear plastic bottle with a lid
    • warm water
    • glitter or food coloring
  • Bottle Orchestra: the setup, laid out

    Burn energy

    Bottle Orchestra

    15–35 min 4–11 yrs Some mess
    • five bottles or glasses
    • water
    • a metal spoon
  • Shaker Making: the setup, laid out

    Burn energy

    Shaker Making

    15–35 min 3–9 yrs Some mess
    • small bottles or tubs with lids
    • rice, beans or pasta
    • tape to seal the lids
  • Build A Boat That Floats: the setup, laid out
    20–45 min 4–12 yrs Some mess
    • foil or a bottle for the hull
    • water
    • a tub of water
    • a small figure as the passenger
  • Bird Feeder: the setup, laid out

    Stay busy and calm

    Bird Feeder

    20–45 min 3–11 yrs Some mess
    • bird seed
    • string
    • a tube, bottle or plate
  • Junk Model Robot: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Junk Model Robot

    30–75 min 3–11 yrs Some mess
    • clean recycling
    • tape or glue
  • Pom-Pom Push: the setup, laid out

    Learn something

    Pom-Pom Push

    10–20 min 12 mo–3 yrs Low mess
    • a container with a lid
    • pom-pomsto buy