Lisandra Morales

LEI4724
Activity File 15
Activity Title: Decorating Empty Plastic Buckets for Planting
Source: Figueroa, J. (2004, April 19). Decorating Empty Plastic Buckets for Planting. Retrieved
October 10, 2015.
Equipment:
Empty plastic containers 3 to 5 gallons, paint (oil paint, acrylic, or spray paint), soil, plant of
your choice
Description of Activity:
Prior to the activity collect empty plastic containers. Remove lids and wash them well. Drill
holes on the bottom of buckets. With paint (spray paint, oil base paint, or acrylics) use your
imagination and embellish them with hand painted pictures of favorite plant, or flowers. Let
them sit and dry. Seal them with clear spray paint for a shiny coat. Fill them up with potting soil.
Plant your favorite plant and watch them grow.
Leadership Consideration:
This activity works best with a group of 5 individuals. This activity would be better if it is done
outside. Give participants ideas, but allow them to use their imagination. Give compliments for
job well done. If vegetables are grown, allow participants to make salads. If flowers are grown,
allow participants to photograph them. Have the participant go and water their plant and have
them take pictures periodically to see the progression.
Adaptations:
Participants with Bipolar Disorder: The therapist will need to pick a location in the facility where
it has an optimistic feeling within the environment. The participants need to be in an area that
will limit them from feeling irritated. The therapist may need to educate the participants that if
they are feeling frustrated or annoyed, they should accomplish relaxation techniques to have
them focus back on the activity. The therapist may need to instruct the participants if they are
having a tough time, they can always ask the volunteers for help. This activity can calm them
down if they begin to get annoyed.
Participants with Traumatic Brain Injury: These participants have agonized physical abuse to the
brain. They probably have problems with physical, emotional, or social functioning. This
activity will allow participants to improve these skills and express themselves by creating a
painting on the bucket. The therapist will be involved and assist each participant in expressing
themselves by creating what they like on bucket. Make sure that directions are stated as simple
as possible.