How to Make an Animal With an Empty Plastic Jug

Turn an empty plastic jug into an animal.

Recycle an empty plastic jug by turning it into a craft or art project for young children or a decoration for your outdoor garden. Turn the empty jug into the animal of your choice or make a small herd of animals. You can set up the empty plastic jugs for little kids to make their own animals or walk older children through the project. Making animals can also supplement a study unit about animals.

Things You'll Need

• Picture of the animal
• Felt
• Marker
• Craft knife
• File or sandpaper
• Glue
• Embellishments

Instructions

1. Draw the animal's body parts -- such as its head and legs -- on a piece of felt using a picture as a stencil or guide. Coloring book pictures work well. Use different colors of felt to make a realistic-looking animal, such as pink for pigs, brown for a wolf or black and white for a penguin.

2. Trace the outline of the animal onto the jug, using the jug as the animal's body. Cut away the excess pieces with a sharp craft knife. File the edges for a smooth finish.

3. Glue the felt pieces in the appropriate places on the jug.

4. Add buttons for eyes, faux fur or chenille pipe cleaners for the tail.

Tips & Warnings

• An adult should cut the jug.

References

• Disney Family Fun: Milk Jug Animal Masks
• Disney Family Fun; The Milk Jug Gallery; Dawn Chipman
• Twin Cities Live; Zoo Crafts; June 2010