We are having lots of fun creating thanks to a set of coloured Sharpie pens. As well as the recycled bottle lanterns I shared over at Go Explore Nature last week, Immy and I recently tackled another recycled bottle project with our Sharpies – making our own version of a Japanese koinobori wind sock.
To make your own koinobori wind sock from a recycled bottle, you will need:
- An empty, clean soft drink bottle with the label removed (we used a 2 litre bottle)
- One black and several coloured permanent marker pens (we used Sharpies)
- A utility knife and pair of scissors
- A hole punch
- Several lengths of ribbon
Decorate the length of your bottle by drawing fish-inspired, scale shapes with the black marker.
Colour the scales with the coloured markers. Bright, bold colours produce the best effect. The colouring in can take quite a while, in fact, Immy completed it over several days. If your child does not like to colour in, you could suggest decorating the scales with a series of patterened lines instead (which could actually look very striking if using just black marker or all one colour).
Cut the bottom off the bottle by making a small slit with the utility knife and then sliding the bottom blade of the scissors into the hole. Cut all the way around the bottle (depending upon the age of the child, this may be best performed by an adult). If you find the exposed, plastic edge is sharp (ours was not), fold a length of coloured washi or electrical tape along the edge.
Use the hole punch to make a series of holes along the bottom edge of the bottle.
Thread a length of thin, coloured ribbon into each hole…
…and tie off so that the ribbon does not pull through.
Draw the eyes of your fish at the top of the bottle with a marker.
Hang your koinobori inspired wind sock where it can catch the wind and enjoy.
Do you have a favourite kids project using Sharpie markers? Or another idea for creating something beautiful from a recycled bottle?
Looking for more inspiration for creating with kids, check out my new book, Time to Create: Hands On Explorations in Process Art for Young Children.
Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
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