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Art Projects for Kids: Recycled Bottle Koinobori

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.

Childhood-101-Art-Projects-for-Kids_Recycled-Bottle-Koinobori-Kite1

 

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

Art Projects for Kids_Recycled Bottle KoinoboriDecorate the length of your bottle by drawing fish-inspired, scale shapes with the black marker.

Art Projects for Kids_Recycled Bottle Koinobori WindsockColour 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).

Art Projects for Kids_Recycled Koinobori WindsockCut 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.

Art Projects for Kids_Recycled Koinobori WindsockThread a length of thin, coloured ribbon into each hole…

Art Projects for Kids_Recycled Koinobori Kite…and tie off so that the ribbon does not pull through.

Art Projects for Kids_Recycled Bottle Koinobori KiteDraw the eyes of your fish at the top of the bottle with a marker.

Childhood-101-Art-Projects-for-Kids_Recycled-Bottle-Koinobori-Wind-sock

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.

Time_to_Create_by Christie Burnett

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.

Filed Under: Art, Bigger Kids Play, Preschool Play, Time to Create

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Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Faigie says

    June 6, 2013 at 2:58 AM

    It actually looks like something you can put behind the car of some newlyweds and write "just married" There is a gorgeous sharpie picture that I saw done on this site of a woman who was chronicling her daughters artwork. She used wax paper I think http://2me4art.com/2012/03/23/sophies-art/
    • Christie Burnett says

      June 8, 2013 at 9:31 AM

      Thanks for sharing, Faigie. I am truly besotted with coloured Sharpies LOL
  2. Jackie@My Little Bookcase says

    June 6, 2013 at 1:55 PM

    This project looks stunning. Cammy is obsessed with plastic bottles at the moment. She comes up with all sorts of designs. I can't wait to show her this idea.
    • Christie Burnett says

      June 8, 2013 at 9:32 AM

      Thanks, Jackie. Have you shared Cammy's projects on the blog?
  3. Lauren says

    June 7, 2013 at 5:00 PM

    LOVE this idea !! and I saw a rainbow pack of Sharpies on special at Big W today (will have to go back!). filing away for future teaching !! although I'll have to find some bottles then make some with my kids! thanks :)
    • Christie Burnett says

      June 8, 2013 at 9:26 AM

      Oooh, I will have to go and have a look at Big W, Lauren, we could do with some more :) Thanks for the tip!
  4. JDaniel4's Mom says

    June 11, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    This is gorgeous! What a fun and pretty craft. I have pinned this post.
  5. Robyn says

    June 26, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    This is a lovely craft, but how do you hang it? Do you tie fish wire around the nozzle of the bottle?
  6. Cindy deRosier says

    August 28, 2014 at 7:33 AM

    I'm the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your project! You can see it here: http://funfamilycrafts.com/koinobori-inspired-wind-sock/ If you have other kid-friendly crafts, we'd love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a neat project idea!

Trackbacks

  1. Koinobori - Learn, Go, Make - Best Living Japan says:
    April 23, 2017 at 8:20 AM
    […] Great art project using plastic bottles. Make one of these for everyone in your family! Details on how to make are at Childhood101.com […]
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