4 Fun Game Ideas for Recycling Plastic Bottles
There are many recycling game ideas you can teach children. Some games that make use of plastic bottles are an on-the-spot craft making contest, a plastic bottle hunt, a flower planting contest, and a bottle tossing game.
Recycling is becoming increasingly relevant especially as people are more aware of environmental concerns. You can make recycling a fun activity so even young children will enjoy and appreciate the principles behind it. A wide variety of recyclable materials such as plastic sleeves and plastic bottles can be used for playing fun games. Here are some game ideas for recycling plastic bottles:
On-the-spot craft making contest
Encourage children to use their creativity by hosting an on-the-spot craft making contest with old plastic bottles as the main material. Gather clean plastic bottles in a variety of sizes, colors and shapes and distribute them among the kids. Add in extra materials like beads, colored paper, small seashells, glitter, markers and other arts and crafts supplies. You can also allow the kids to bring their own materials and supplies to ensure that every project is unique. Give them an hour or so to customize the bottles to their liking. Prepare prizes for the best and most unique bottles, and have all the finished pieces used as shelf decorations, coffee table centerpieces, paperweights and other home décor.
Plastic bottle hunt
A plastic bottle hunt is an interesting variation of Easter egg hunting, but the advantage is that you can have children play this on any day. Hide clean plastic bottles all over the house, garden or backyard. Gather the kids in one place and instruct them to search for the bottles. If the hunt takes too long, you can give hints to the children. The child who finds the most bottles within the time limit will be given a prize. After the activity, tell the children to place their bottles in the appropriate recycling bin.
Flower planting contest
Plastic soda bottles can be recycled as pots for flowers. Teach kids this earth-friendly activity by providing them with clean plastic bottles that have been cut in half. Fill the bottom half of the bottle with potting soil and distribute packets of flowers seedlings to the children. Instruct them to water and take care of the plants. The child that owns the flower that sprouts first or is the healthiest can be given a prize. An alternative would be to let the kids guess which among the potted plants will grow first. The ones who guess correctly will be the winners.
Bottle tossing game
You may have seen tossing games featured in game arcades or carnivals. Recreate this amusement but use recycled plastic bottles instead of store-bought props. Inform different community members and households that you are hosting a game and need recyclable bottles like shampoo containers, soda bottles and detergent bottles. Gather all the bottles in your driveway or lawn and draw a line in front of them using chalk. Place a recycling bin about 4 to 8 feet away from the line and instruct children to try to toss the bottles into the bin. Don’t let them walk over the line. Give a prize to the child who manages to shoot the most number of bottles inside the bin within a preset time limit.
Don’t forget to explain to the children the importance of recycling after each game.
