Add some color and fun to your outdoor living space with this cheerful plastic bottle windsock! Made from an upcycled water or soda bottle, it is perfect for adding color and charm to any space. The bottle shape adds stability in windy conditions, while the bright colors are sure to catch the eye. Hang it from a tree, deck, or porch using a simple ribbon or hook, and enjoy the playful movement of this charming windsock.

Plastic Bottle Windsock

We are the queens of recycling and upcycling, so this little idea of using an empty water bottle to make a windsock is a natural addition to our crafting list. This adds a bit of color to any space and is a great project for kids to help you make. While it is ideal for hanging outside on a tree, shrub, or porch railing, it is super cute being hung anywhere inside as well as in a child's bedroom.

If you like this idea, you may also like this cute plastic bottle floating turtle idea. It's super cute and easy to add to a garden. Another fun plastic bottle idea includes this plastic bottle hedgehog, or even holiday ideas like this plastic bottle penguin or even plastic bottle snowflake ornaments.

What Should I Use for the “Socks”?

I used a simple 1" ribbon, but you can get creative to use what you have on hand already. I like using matching colors, or like this, a rainbow of colors that is bright and pretty in the wind.

Other options include using thick yarn, rope, or ribbon. Things like tissue paper or crepe paper work great but can tear easily so it may be best if used just as an indoor decoration. You might also like the look of strips of cloth you have torn or cut from old sheets, t-shirts, or similar items you have on hand.

Whatever you choose to put on this as the "socks", make sure that the ribbon or hook you use to hang this is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the ribbons or fabric used.

What Can I Use to Make a Face on My Windsock?

I am using googly eyes as a simple way to give my windsock a face. You can get creative and use other items to create a face. Below are some ideas that work to create a face and some ideas you might prefer.

Markers, craft paint, or paint pens can be used to draw a face onto the bottle.
Stickers, decals, or similar items can be applied as eyes, nose, and mouth.
Use pipe cleaners, yarn, ribbon, twine, or small bits of felt to create the face and features.
Pom poms work great to create a nose on the windsock.
You can use a craft knife to cut a smile out of the bottle.

Of course, you can also give your windsock a personality with different animal themes. I love the idea of using cardstock or similar to create ears and a nose for an elephant. Another fun idea would be to paint the bottled orange and use yarn or felt to create a lion look.

What Should I Use for Hanging a Windsock?

You will need to use a strong string or ribbon to hang your plastic bottle windsock. I used a soldering iron to cut a small hole in the center top of the bottle to then slip the ribbon through and tie it in place as a hook. You can do this, or secure a ribbon, twine, rope, or even fishing line to the top for hanging.

If you are putting ribbon or string through a hole in the top, you may also want to add tape or glue on the inside of the bottle to secure it further to make sure it doesn't slip through the hole on top of the bottle. Another option for hanging is to put a Command hook on the side of the bottle to hang or put it against a wall or railing.

Can This Be Hung Indoors?

Yes, these plastic bottle windsocks can be hung indoors. While it won't have wind to blow in, it will look so cute hanging anywhere in the house. I love the idea of these in the kid's room. If you have a ceiling fan in a room, this can be hung on the ceiling nearby and will still get that wind blowing through it feeling.

Supplies Needed

How to Make a Plastic Bottle Windsock

Gather all of your crafting supplies, and make sure your plastic bottle has been rinsed out and clean, is dry, and any labels have been removed. Then, cut the bottle in half and discard the top (lid) half of the bottle.

Use a hole punch to make holes around the bottom edge of the bottle on the open end. Add 8 to 10 holes around the edge, one for each ribbon you plan to hang.

Now, in a well-ventilated area, spray the bottle with your chosen color of spray paint. Cover it well, then set it aside to dry for 30 minutes or until no longer tacky.

While the bottle paint dries, cut lengths of ribbon to use along the bottom. Make them between 12" and 18" long, and alternate colors.

Once the paint has dried, string the ribbon through each hole, alternating colors, and tie it to secure it in place.

When you have all of the ribbon "socks" on the base of the bottle, create a face using googly eyes and any other facial additions you want.

Now, use a knife or soldering iron to punch a hole in the center top of the windsock.

Cut another length of ribbon, twine, or rope and pull through the hole in the top and tie it off to create a hook or method of hanging your windsock.

You can now hang this on a tree, on a porch roofline, or railing.

More Easy Garden Decorations

This is such a fun idea for hanging in your garden. If you like the idea of windsocks or wind chimes, you'll love some of our other garden decor ideas. Below are some fun and easy ways to decorate your garden or porch with something beautiful and fun to make. Make sure that you bookmark these ideas, print out the tutorials, or pin them to your craft boards on Pinterest.

Yield: 1

Colorful Plastic Bottle Hanging Windsock

Make an adorable plastic bottle hanging windsock with upcycled items in just a few minutes! A great garden decoration!

Active Time 20 minutes

Additional Time 30 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $0

Materials

Tools

Instructions

Cut a plastic bottle in half and discard the top half.
Use a hole punch to make 8 to 10 holes around the edge of the open side of the bottle.
Spray the bottom of the bottle light blue then set it aside to dry.
Cut lengths of ribbon around 18" long, equal amounts of each color of ribbon.
Tie the ribbon through the holes on the base of the bottle, alternating colors in every other hole.
Glue the googly eyes onto the upper end of the bottle.
Use a soldering iron to make a hole on the top of the windsock.
Tie a length of ribbon through this hole for hanging the windsock.
Hang on a tree or porch railing.