August Eco-Activity: Recycled Water Walls & Cardboard Ball Runs
Looking for a fun way to stay cool, get creative, and reuse all those recyclables piling up at home? This month at Rutabaga, we’re sharing one of our all-time favorite summer camp activities: Recycled Water Walls!
These DIY contraptions are part science experiment, part sensory play, and all-around awesome. And if you’re staying indoors to beat the heat? No problem—we’ve got a cardboard twist on this idea that’s just as fun.
💧 Build a Backyard Water Wall
All you need is a fence, some recycled materials, and a little imagination. Kids can build their own gravity-powered water maze using anything water can travel through—then test it out with a hose or watering can!
Materials to Try:
Plastic bottles
PVC pipes
Milk cartons or juice jugs
Pool noodles
Funnels or strainers
Zip ties (these are gold!)
A hose or pitcher of water
How to Make It:
Rinse out your recycled items and cut openings where needed.
Use zip ties, string, or tape to fasten your pieces to a fence or railing—start high and work your way down.
Turn on the water and let it flow!
Try collecting the water at the bottom—how much can you catch?
Experiment and adjust your design. Test angles, speeds, and leaks.
This activity gets kids using STEM skills like planning, problem-solving, and testing hypotheses—plus, it's a great way to stay cool on a hot day!
🐣 Water Wall Variations for Littles
Younger children (even babies!) love the sights, sounds, and splashes of water walls too. Here are some baby- and toddler-friendly versions:
Low Wall Build: Set up materials along a low fence, baby gate, or tub wall for safe seated play.
Clear Bottles & Funnels: Use clear containers so babies can watch the water fill and flow.
Soft Tubing: Use cut pool noodles, soft tubing, or flexible funnels to create gentle drops.
Scoop & Pour: Offer cups, ladles, and plastic spoons for water transfer—great for fine motor practice.
Always supervise closely, and let them splash, pour, and explore at their own pace—it’s wonderful for coordination and early sensory development.
🏠 Too Hot? Try a Cardboard Ball Run Indoors
Bring the fun inside by turning leftover cardboard into a custom marble run or ball track. This is a great way to extend the idea when it’s too hot to play outdoors—or just to switch things up with some creative engineering.
Materials to Try:
Cardboard boxes
Paper towel or toilet paper tubes
Cereal boxes, egg cartons, cartons of any kind
Masking tape, painter’s tape, or a glue gun
A wall or large piece of cardboard to attach your run
Marbles, small balls, or pom-poms
Tips for Success:
Start by laying out your pieces and imagining the path.
Test as you go—adjust angles and spacing to keep the momentum going.
Let your child take the lead and experiment with different routes and features.
🎈 Ball Drop Fun for Toddlers & Babies
Ball runs don’t have to be fancy to be fun for little ones:
Vertical Drop Zone: Tape cardboard tubes or oatmeal containers to the wall at toddler height.
Big Ball Run: Use wrapping paper tubes or wide cartons for ping pong balls or soft toy balls.
Peek-a-Boo Holes: Add windows or flaps so littles can track the ball’s journey.
Hand-On Play: Let your child drop the ball in and follow it with their eyes—great for hand-eye coordination and simple cause-and-effect learning.
Endlessly expandable and perfect for rainy days, cardboard ball runs are a hit for all ages.
Both versions of this project invite hands-on learning, repurpose household waste in creative ways, and bring a little playful magic to the end of summer.
We’ll be building water walls during Water Wonders Week at camp and can’t wait to see what your kiddos create at home too. Let the good times roll—literally!
Stay cool and keep recycling creatively,
— The Rutabaga Toy Library Team 💧🌀
