Make Plastic Bottle Lanterns from SunnyD Bottles

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This time of year, before it gets too hot, we spend a lot of time outside. We’re big fans of picnics on the back porch and weekend afternoons spent playing in the yard. The girl has a big playset complete with swings, a slide and a little loft with a play spyglass, steering wheel and bell that gets a lot of use.

A lot of times its a pirate ship, of course, but it can also be a school, an island, whatever she decides at that moment.

Summer fun calls for festive summer drinks, and SunnyD is a cool option for kids and nostalgic adults alike. The single-serving bottles are easy to grab and go whether you’re going to the yard or the park, and the sweet citrus flavor is refreshing on hot days.

And right now you can grab a 24-pack of SunnyD from Sam’s Club (you’ll find it in an endcap in the refrigerated section) for just $5.98.

And when you’re done drinking, save the bottles for these fun plastic bottle lanterns, which are a great project for adults or kids (with help) to do.

What You’ll Need

• SunnyD bottles
• craft knife
• paint and/or tissue paper and Mod Podge or watered-down glue
• paintbrush
• hole punch (optional)
• twine (optional)
• LED candles

What You’ll Do

Drink the SunnyD. Rinse the bottles and take off the labels. It doesn’t have to be perfect.

Use a craft knife to cut the neck off the bottle. This doesn’t have to be perfect, either.

For the painted version, I used Cadmium Yellow and just brushed it on quickly and unevenly.

For the tissue paper ones, which come out looking kind of like stained glass, tear up pieces of different colored tissue paper. Put glue or Mod Podge on the bottle, lay tissue paper down randomly, overlapping pieces, and put more glue on top. Allow to dry.

If you want to make a swag of lanterns like I did for the play house, punch holes in the tops of the bottles. I made mine more toward what would be the back of the lantern instead of centered so it would be easier to get the candles in and out.

Thread the lanterns onto a piece of twine, tying knots to hold the bottles where you want them.

Add LED candles for a fun effect.

I think these will be a lot of fun in the evenings when we’re outside. I can see the girl using the single painted one as an explorer’s lantern (and I may yet add a piece of string to carry it with) and she will definitely want to make more of these with me when she sees them.

Check out tons more ideas for things to make with SunnyD and the bottles at WhereFunBegins.net.

What would you make with a bunch of plastic bottles? I’d love to hear your ideas!