How to Make a Large Hourglass

Use any two bottles of equal size and shape.

Hourglasses mark time by dribbling sand from one container to another. While hourglasses are typically very small, you can make a larger one from two soda bottles. Make a large hourglass as a fun project with your children and use it to time various tasks, or make one as a funky decoration for your home. A large hourglass is a simple project that takes a fairly small amount of time.

Things You'll Need

• 2 soda bottles of equal size, with lids
• Marker
• Electric drill
• Funnel
• Sand
• Duct tape

Instructions

1. Rinse out two soda bottles of the same size and peel off any labels on the body of the bottles.

2. Mark the center of the two plastic screw-on lids with a marker.

3. Drill a hole in both lids at the place marked using an electric drill. When you place the two lids together, the holes should be in the same place.

4. Place a funnel in one of the soda bottles.

5. Pour sand into the soda bottle through the funnel, filling the bottle to the halfway point.

6. Put the perforated caps on both of the soda bottles.

7. Place both bottles on their sides.

8. Tape the bottles together, lid to lid, with duct tape, wrapping duct tape around the join several times.

9. Turn the hourglass up so that the soda bottle with the sand is on top and allow the sand to dribble through to the bottom.

Tips & Warnings

• Time how long it takes the sand to make it from one bottle to the other to figure out how much time your hourglass marks.

• Replace the sand with colored water for a different visual effect.

References

• Easy Fun School: Homemade Hourglass
• Think Science: Soda Bottle Hourglass