Scuba Tanks

Materials

• 2-liter soda bottles (with caps), 1 per child
• Spray paint (see Tip Corner)
• 20x30-in. black foam board, 1 piece for every 12 children
• Black 4mm nylon craft cord, 6 ft. per child
• Black masking tape, amount varies
• Duct tape, amount varies

Tools and Basic Supplies

• Power drill (with ¼-in. bit)
• Box cutter
• Scissors

Pre-Prep

1. Spray paint the 2-liter bottles.
2. Cut the foam board into 6x10-in. pieces, one per child.
3. Drill a ¼-in. hole in each corner of each 6x10-in. piece.
4. Cut the black cording into 6 ft. lengths, one per child.

Class Time Directions

1. To create shoulder straps for your scuba tanks, first place the foam panel in front of you so it is oriented vertically. Then take one end of the black cord, thread it down through the bottom left hole, up through the top left hole, down through the top right hole, and up through the bottom right hole. Then tie the ends together.
2. Now adjust the “straps” so the knot is located between the bottom holes, and the right and left loops are about the same size.
3. Try on the panel to see how it fits. If it’s too loose, adjust the knot to make the loops (straps) smaller.
4. Place the 2 bottles side-by-side and carefully tape them together with black masking tape. Two bands of tape across and around the middle should be enough.
5. With the 2 bottles taped together and laying in front of you, place the foam panel on top of the bottles and position it so it is even on each side. Then attach it to the bottles with duct tape. Now your scuba tanks are ready to wear!

Tip Corner

• Possible color choices for the spray paint can include black, silver, green, blue, yellow, or even hot pink.
• If desired, add an air hose using ½-in. black corrugated plastic tubing (available at hardware stores) and black tape.