• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Preschool Toolbox Blog

Educational Learning and Play for Children 2-7

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Shop Lesson Plans
    • My Downloads
  • About
    • PR/Social Media
  •  
  • Literacy
  • Math
  • PreK
  • Science
  • Fall Theme Activities
  • Preschool Themes

May 7, 2011
Earth Day Activities· Recycling· Science

Recycling Plastics for Kids!

Thanks for sharing!

  • Share
  • Tweet

1) MAKE A RAIN GAUGE and RECYCLE PLASTIC BOTTLES

Build a rain gauge by cutting off the top third of the plastic bottle and inverting the top inside the bottom to form a funnel. Use a permanent marker to record inches on the side of the bottle. Explain that people who report on the weather need to know how much it rains each day. Introduce your rain gauge and have children brainstorm ways the class can use the tool to discover how MUCH it rains. Show them how a rain gauge works: Set the gauge in a pan and pour a pitcher of water into the gauge. Have the children observe the rain gauge. Extension: collect some rain in a bottle and put tap water in another bottle.

2) MAKE A RAINSTICK and RECYCLE TOILET PAPER or PAPER TOWEL TUBES

Set out an assortment of beans, rice, and small manipulatives in containers. Ask parents for assistance in gathering enough toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls for each child to make a rain stick. Have the children decorate the tubes with markers, crayons, fabric strips, collage materials, etc. Seal one end of the toilet paper roll with wax paper (doubled-over for strength), fabric, and a rubber band prior to setting out for the children. Have the children fill or spoon beans, rice, and/or small manipulatives (beads, shells, etc.) into the tubes until they are approximately two-thirds full. When done filling the tubes, help the children seal the final end of the tube with wax paper (again, doubled-over), fabric, and a rubber band.

Extension: have the children listen for the different sounds they make. Is one rain stick softer or louder than the others? Do they really sound like rain or something else?

3) RECYCLE PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS into KITES!

We made kites out of plastic grocery bags (the ones with handles). They are easy to make: Give each child a plastic bag and help them tie the handles together with a piece of long string or yarn, then staple streamers to the bottoms. The children can then fly them outdoors.

4) RECYCLE PLASTIC BOTTLES and make BOTTLED NATURE!

You’ll need an empty plastic pop bottle, salt, items from nature (we used seeds and beans, small sticks, nuts, grass, etc.), colored drawing chalk, paper plates, and a small funnel (if you do INSIDEâ?¦put a plastic tablecloth on the floor for easier clean-up.) Lay the tablecloth on the floor and give each child one paper plate. Pour salt in a thin layer on each child’s plate and let them choose one color of chalk. Have the children lay their chalk flat and use to rub the salt in up/down motions. The salt will take on the color of the chalk. When the salt is colored, have the children fold their plates carefully and pour the chalk into the Ball glass jar. Keep laying the colored salt from the other plates. Repeat the process until the bottle is 2/3’s full with layers from the children’s colored rubbings. Add the nature items to the chalk. You can do as many or as few bottles as you like and have time for. Set the bottles out and have the children shake and roll them to find all the different items. See if the children can find ALL of the items you inserted into the bottle. *Can also use these bottles for Holidays…inserting various miniture flags, turkeys, Christmas Trees, Easter Eggs, etc. We made a work page with a picture of each item inserted into the bottles and had the children circle the item(s) as they FOUND it!

5) RECYCLE 2 LITER BOTTLES into TWISTERS!

Take two bottles and fill ONE bottle 1/2 way full with water. Set upright on a table and place the 2nd bottle (neck to neck) on top of the other. Securely wrap duct tape around the joined necks of both bottles. Have the children swirl the water in the bottle and turn upside down. A funnel will form just like a real TORNADO!

Every little bit helps…don’t be fooled by telling yourself that “I don’t make a difference!” We ALL do…one little piece at a time!

For more fun ideas see Preschool and Kindergarten Themes for Active Learning and Play!

Leave a Comment

Join our newsletter & receive the FREE DOWNLOAD:
Explorations with ALL 5 SENSES!

Enjoy in the classroom or at home!



Previous Post: « Help for Weekend Mornings!
Next Post: Bugs and Insects Theme Activities for Preschool! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

SEARCH for an ACTIVITY or SEASONAL THEME HERE!

Subscribe

Theme Activites, Parenting, Education

Copyright © 2025 · The Preschool Toolbox · Become an Affiliate · Web Hosting & Design by Servously

The Preschool Toolbox Blog uses cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and to personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies. Click READ MORE for details: Accept Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT