Let’s Bowl, Make a Bowling Pin Set from Recycled Plastic Water Bottles

Kids today are much more eco conscious then when we grew up. With the help of my son, we continuously try to make our home more eco-friendly. We especially love creating something out of “would be” trash headed for a land fill. Even more fun is a craft that becomes a toy.

Make a Bowling Pin Set from Recycled Plastic Water Bottles

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Skill Level: Easy
Total Time: 35 + minutes

Materials

• 10 plastic water bottles, all the same size (we used .5L/15.9 oz size). Make sure they are dry and empty.
• Felt or fabric totaling about 4 sheets. (We used various scrap and eco felt in 4 different colors.)
• Felt numbers (We used eco felt numbers.)
• Glue (We used hot glue but craft glue will also work.)
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun and pinking sheers optional

Marla’s advice: This project can be made without glue if you use felt that is adhesive backed. We did find that the hot glue actually worked the best and kept the felt from peeling up. We made this set early in the summer and it’s still intact and being played with.

Instructions

1. Save or collect at least 10 water bottles of the same size. Make sure they are dry and empty.
2. Cut 10 strips of felt (or fabric) about 10″ long x 2″ wide.
3. Find something circular about 2″ in diameter. Cut around or trace & cut.
4. Cut 10 circles.
5. Lay out your strips and circles. Come up with the color combinations you like best.
6. Place hot glue all around the label and lay the felt strip on top. When you reach the other end, place a small amount of glue on the edge of the top of the felt strip. Cover with the other end of your felt strip and trim off any excess. School glue works as well but will need more drying time. If using adhesive felt, simply remove the backing and place around the bottle.
7. Place felt strips on all 10 water bottles. Make sure to keep your circles matched up with bases you choose for your color combinations.
8. Glue on the circles.
9. Allow bases to dry. If using hot glue it should only take a minute or so. If using school/craft glue allow for a bit more drying time.
10. Now add your numbers. We used self adhesive precut numbers or create your own, cut out and glue on.
11. Have fun bowling.

Creative Dish additional ideas: We decided to cut the edges of our strips with pinking sheers as seen in our final pictures. To make the bowling harder, add some sand or beans to the bottles. For a colorful option, add some magic sand.

For more eco crafting try our Recycled Rocket Ship using a toilet paper roll (free rocket template), make a Sewing Box from a old book and check out eco friendly all natural paint by Glob.

My Creative Dish