Water a plant with a tip-over device
Build a simple tip-over watering device using a bottle, cardboard, and a pivot so it automatically waters a plant when soil is dry.
Step-by-step guide to build a tip-over plant watering device
RAINPOINT Automatic Watering System for Potted Plants Review
Step 1
Cut one long rectangular strip from the cardboard about 30 centimetres long to make the seesaw lever.
Step 2
Cut two identical small triangles from the cardboard to use as pivot supports.
Step 3
Make a small notch at the top center of each triangle so the pencil can sit in the notch.
Step 4
Slide the pencil through the two notches and stand the triangles upright so the pencil rests across them as a pivot.
Step 5
Lay the long cardboard strip across the pencil so it becomes a seesaw lever.
Step 6
Put your small potted plant on one end of the cardboard lever.
Step 7
Tape the plant pot to the lever so it will stay in place when the seesaw moves.
Step 8
Use the pin to poke a tiny hole in the bottle cap so water can drip slowly when the bottle tips.
Step 9
Fill the bottle with water and screw the cap back on tightly.
Step 10
Tape the filled bottle to the other end of the cardboard lever so it points toward the potted plant and will pour into it when that end tips down.
Step 11
Add small coins or washers to the bottle end until the seesaw balances with the plant end down when the soil is moist.
Step 12
Let the topsoil dry a little and watch to see if the lighter dry pot lets the bottle end tip and pour water into the plant.
Step 13
If the bottle pours too fast cover part of the hole with a small piece of tape to slow the flow.
Step 14
Share a photo and description of your finished tip-over watering device on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead if we don't have cardboard, a pencil, or a pin for the pivot and hole?
If you don't have cardboard use a cereal box or foam board for the long lever, swap the pencil pivot for a wooden skewer or small dowel, and make the cap hole with a sewing needle, thumbtack, or small nail instead of the pin.
My seesaw won't balance or the bottle pours too fast—what should I check and fix?
Check that the pencil notches are centered and the triangle supports are taped firmly to prevent wobble, add or remove coins/washers on the bottle end to rebalance the lever, and slow the flow by covering part of the bottle cap hole with tape as the instructions suggest.
How can I adapt the steps for different ages so it's safe and still educational?
For younger kids have an adult pre-cut the 30 cm cardboard strip and punch the bottle cap hole and help tape the plant and bottle, while older kids can measure, experiment with coin weights to balance the seesaw, and build more precise pivot supports from the triangles.
How can we improve or personalize the tip-over watering device after finishing the basic setup?
Personalize and extend the project by decorating the cardboard lever and triangles, using multiple bottles or adjustable stacks of coins to change watering intervals, and testing different cap hole sizes or tape coverings to fine-tune how much water pours into the plant.
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Facts about simple machines and plant care
♻️ Upcycling a plastic bottle into a waterer keeps waste out of landfills and turns trash into a useful tool.
⚖️ A simple lever (pivot) can make a small push tip a heavy bottle, letting physics do the work for you.
💧 A half-liter (500 mL) bottle can water several small pots — a little water goes a long way for seedlings.
🔄 A tip-over watering bottle is a passive automatic system: it only pours when the pivot changes angle.
🌱 Soil that looks dry on the surface can still be moist an inch down — use your finger to check!
How do I build a tip-over watering device that waters a plant when the soil is dry?
What materials do I need to make a bottle-and-cardboard tip-over plant waterer?
What ages is this tip-over watering activity suitable for?
What are the benefits, safety tips, and simple variations for the tip-over watering device?
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