How to Make Helmets From 1-Gallon Water Bottles

One gallon bottles turn into fun and exciting helmets that children can wear and play with for hours. The bottles take just a few hours to make, or they can take even less time to make if you skip the painting process. A gallon bottle helmet can turn into almost any type of helmet, such as modern, scary and medieval.

• 1

  Wash and dry the water container with soap and warm water. Allow the water carton to dry overnight to remove all liquid from inside the carton.

• 2

  Draw an outline around the top of the water jug and around the handle. Make sure the top is flat where you cut it, and not rounded. The top of the water jug will turn into the bottom of the helmet, so it has to be wide enough to fit over the child's head and neck.

• 3

  Cut out the top and handle from the water container. Round all edges so that there are no sharp edges on the helmet. Fit the helmet over the child's head to adjust the size of the helmet if necessary. Make sure all edges are round and do not dig into the child's ears, neck or jaw.

• 4

  Draw the outline of the pattern onto clear, polyurethane film with a permanent marker. Number the pattern pieces so that you know how to fit them together once you cut them apart. Cut apart the different pieces with scissors.

• 5

  Punch two holes into the sides of the helmet with a hole punch. Cut a strip of acrylic plastic large enough to fit comfortably over the child's face. Make sure his nose is not squished or breathing impaired. Punch two holes into the sides of the acrylic sheet as well.

• 6

  Stick two brads through the holes punched into the sheet of acrylic and the helmet to make a clear visor for the helmet. Cut slits in the acrylic sheet to create a knight's helmet, or leave it solid for a race-car driver or other modern helmet. Paint the visor as desired.

• 7

  Have the child paint the helmet according to his or her wishes. For a knight's helmet, use gold or silver paint. For motorcycle helmet, use bold colors.