Image that today you received your custom water bottles bought online shopping to find your kids water bottles.
You open the box and pull out 3 or 4 of the water bottles you ordered.
A little bit disappointment goes through your mind regretting that all the bottles look the same.
On top of all of this stress you know your kids are going to give you a headache that will result in an argument about which bottle is better and who gets which one.
But remember that all is not lost there are plenty of things we can do to keep them happy and occupied for hours.
We are going use these water bottles for an art project.
Each child will get to customize their own bottle.
This can eliminate many "would be" problems and turn it in to a constructive art activity for everyone.
This activity works best with the a hard plastic bottle usually with a material like polycarbonate or Copolyester which is the new BPA-free plastic.
We want to use a plastic bottle because they are usually a see through type material and can come in shades of colors giving you a color palette to start with.
Materials List:

• Engraver (not necessary but handy, check and see if a neighbor or friend has one to borrow)

Permanent marker color availability is vast, most common color are Black, Red, Blue.
Although I've seen some Purple, Silver, Green.
Be sure not use or buy the permanent markers labeled as "Paint Pens", those are a bit toxic.
I would suggest "Sharpie" or a generic nontoxic brand.

• 2 different color permanent mark pens with a fine tip
• 2 different color permanent mark pens with a normal tip
• 2 different color permanent mark pens with a wide tip
• and anything else you want to use, be creative!

Stickers, Stickers, Stickers When buying stickers you can use anything but stay away from the puffy stickers those always seem to come apart soon after they are put on and that ALWAYS creates a big disappointment.
Optional: Use the engraver and write their initials on the bottom of the bottle, this would be an adult only task.
Using the stickers and markers have them draw and create a picture on their bottle to make it unique to them.
Ideas on what to draw

• Draw a picture of their family.
  
• Draw a picture of them and their best friends.
  
• A vacation destination that they went to.
  
• Use a famous quote they like.
  
• Use their favorite song lyric (please only choose tasteful phrases) writing a line from it.
  
• They can also use stickers to complement and add to their creativity.
  By placing the stickers on first they can draw a scene around the stickers making it look complete.
  
• Have them come up with an idea.
  

Kids love to draw! They show you all the time by drawing their names on your walls and furniture, right? They will have a great time creating a 3D picture that they create their own custom water bottles.
This will make their bottle unique and also provide them a fashionable item as well as an opportunity to be healthier.