We have found another great activity to keep your little man entertained, and it even helps you to recycle some useless junk in your own house. We all have dozens of those plastic water bottles that we do not want to just toss into the garbage and fill our beautiful Earth with. So why not repurpose them into fun entertaining crafts that can keep your little man and you connected, and help save a few spots in that landfill at the same time?  Well after scouring the web for some fun new ideas we have found this great idea created and posted by a Mom just like you.

While trying to find something fun for her son to do one afternoon and needing to get rid of some extra garbage this Mom got incredibly crafty and fashioned a jellyfish out of a plastic grocery bag, floated it in a plastic water bottle, and discovered a way to teach her son about recycling, ocean life, and entertained both him and his Dad for hours. Now you can find her idea here and try it yourself. So thanks Bhoomplay for the great idea!

What you will Need:

1. A transparent plastic grocery bag
2. A plastic water bottle
3. Thread
4. Food coloring (blue and green will make a great ocean look)
5. Scissors

 

What to do:
• Take your grocery bag and flatten it, then cut off the handle and the bottom part (closed section of the bag see picture 1)
• Cut along both sides (see picture 2) and split it  into 2 plastic sheets – You will only need one side

• From the center of the plastic sheet, fold it like a tiny balloon to make the head, tie it with the thread, not too tight (see picture 3). You will want the head to stay open enough to put water into the head later on (see picture 7-8).

• Now you will see a head and you can begin to form tentacles. Cut from the edge up to the head and form about 8-10 tentacles (see picture 4).
• Cut each tentacle again into 3-4 small strings (see picture 5).
• Trim to make random long and short tentacles (see picture 6).

• Put some water into the head part to make it be able to sink (see picture 7). While still leaving some air inside to make be able to float up (see picture 8).
• Fill up your water bottle (see picture 9).
• Put your jellyfish in the bottle with a few drops of blue and green food coloring. Screw on the cap remembering to ensure it is tight before giving it to children.

 

For a great lesson in Jellyfish pair this great activity with a book about these incredible marine animals. Floating Jellyfish is a great book for kids ages 5 and up that focuses on jellyfish. You can find it on Amazon.com or look for it at your local library. It has an incredible narrative voice perfect for young children and includes amazing pictures that will go great with your child’s own floating jellyfish! Enjoy!