Empty milk jugs pile up fast — and they're secretly perfect little planters. Turning plastic milk jugs into pots is a brilliant kids' project: it's a craft, a science lesson, and a garden starter rolled into one.
Kids paint them, plant a seed, and get to watch something they made come to life on the windowsill. Here's how to upcycle those jugs into cheerful seedling planters, step by step.
Why milk jugs make great planters
- Free and always in supply.
- Just the right size for seedlings and small herbs.
- Weatherproof, so they last outdoors.
- That handle makes them easy to move — or to hang.
What you'll need
- A clean plastic milk jug
- Scissors or a craft knife (adult only)
- A nail or skewer for drainage holes
- Non-toxic paint, or twine and fabric to decorate
- Potting soil, a few pebbles, and seeds or a seedling
Step by step
- Rinse thoroughly. Any leftover milk turns sour and attracts fruit flies, so wash it well.
- Cut it (adult job). Cut the top off for a deep pot, or cut a large window in the side and keep the handle for a hanging planter.
- Add drainage. Poke four or five holes in the base with a nail so roots don't sit in water.
- Lay a pebble base. A thin layer of pebbles helps water drain.
- Decorate. This is the kids' part — paint the outside, or wrap it in twine or fabric. Let it dry.
- Fill and plant. Add potting soil, tuck in seeds or a seedling, and water lightly.
- Find a sunny sill and put the child in charge of watering.
Best first plants for kids
Pick fast, forgiving growers so little gardeners don't lose interest:
- Beans and peas — sprout in days and grow visibly fast.
- Sunflowers — big seeds, easy to handle, dramatic results.
- Cress — practically instant.
- Marigolds and basil — cheerful and hard to kill.
Care tips
- Water when the top of the soil feels dry.
- Keep them in the sunniest spot you have.
- Transplant into the garden or a bigger pot once roots fill the jug.
For another plant-and-grow project, the seed-starter cups in these egg carton crafts are a perfect companion.
Grew something from a jug? Share it in the comments at ecoxee.com — we'd love to see what sprouted.
Keep reading: Rainy Day Cardboard Box Crafts for Toddlers, How to Make a Cardboard Marble Run, and How to Make Leaf Print and Nature Art.
