Cute Upcycled Planters With Kids In Mind

November 18, 2020November 1, 2020 kelleysdiy

This is a repost of a post I did last year. It was enjoyed so much, and I thought some of you would like to see it again.

Let’s recycle by creating upcycled planter characters with your older children. Whenever I look at something, I try to look outside the box a bit. You can inspire creativity by looking at plastic containers around the house in a different way. Wondering which characters to make? Here are some really neat ideas:

Aren’t these characters adorable!!!

Things You’ll Need

Collect discarded plastic bottles and containers from around the house. Spray paint made for plastics, acrylic paints, hot glue and a craft knife will also be necessary along with large beads (wooden or plastic), pom poms, and other decorative craft supplies. Your plant selections will also be part of the creative process.

Cut Openings

Use a craft knife to cut openings in the plastic containers to accommodate the vision of your character and where the plants will be located. Cut drain holes in the bottom of the container as well. Parents should help children with this step.

Assemble the Character

If they will be painted, glue together beads for legs or arms and attach them to the containers now. If they are already colored, assemble bead legs or arms and set to the side for later. Spray paint the containers in the chosen color.

Decorate the Character

Once the spray paint is dry, use acrylic paints, googly eyes, pom poms and other assorted decorative elements to add character to the planter. Watch your childs imagination go wild!

Fill the Planter

Put a layer of small rocks or pebbles in the bottom of the container to aid in drainage. Fill the container to near the top with potting soil and add the plant. Water and fill the remaining space with more potting soil. Press into place.

Snorting Pig

This little guy is made from a juice bottle. The legs are wooden rings and beads. His tail is a pipe cleaner and his ears are cut from craft foam. Drill holes in the cap for the plants coming through the nose.

I just love this little pig! The succulent inside the nose…one of my favorites!

Caterpillar

Powdered drink mix containers glued end to end form the body of this cute caterpillar. Colored beads make the legs and eyes, and a large pom pom forms the nose. The cactus plants make the antennae.

Screaming Lady

A soda bottle painted like a face with yarn hair creates a funny character. Kids are always suckers for bodily function humor! This is fun…

The Minion

This popular character is easy to create from a peanut butter jar. Spray paint the bottom of the jar blue, tape a line to avoid color mixing, then paint the top portion yellow. Add details with acrylic paint. The glasses are split rings and the plant is called a “live wire.”

Angry Man

A simple laundry detergent bottle finds new life as a tribal inspired planter. Flattened bottle caps, googly eyes and a plastic bead mouth complete the look.He looks pretty angry!

Razorback

Plant selection is important for this creation. Succulents require little soil or water to survive and can be utilized very well in small plastic containers.

So the next time you are about to throw those containers in the recycle bin….look at them in a different way…I would love to hear your ideas and see your creations from recycled items….Please send to my email…kelleysdiy@gmail.com

Published by kelleysdiy

I love creating new ideas. And now that I am happily retired, I have lots more time to create them! Whether its crafts for decorating my home, or up cycling items I find at garage sales, thrift stores, and even on the curb, and turning them into something wonderful. The creative juices flowing in my head are almost always in overdrive....so many ideas! I love sharing my new ideas with all of you! So please follow me and let me know how I'm doing! I hope I can inspire you.....and if I do....send me a pic. I would love to see your creation. View all posts by kelleysdiy