Make ocean waves at home

Whether your family is just back from a day at the ocean and you're missing the sand and surf, or you never made it to a seaside beach at all this summer, you can create the lure of ocean waves right at home . . . in a plastic bottle.

With some vegetable oil, water and a dose of your imagination, you can make fascinating waves in your wave-maker that are always ready for action when you are. It's a great activity for school-age kids on an afternoon when they're looking for something nifty to do. Or, collect several bottles and extra supplies for a memorable craft activity at a summer birthday party.

Here are the household items you'll need for each wave-maker:

• A recycled, clean and clear plastic soda or water bottle with labels removed (1-liter size works especially well)

• Tap water

• Food coloring such as blue and green

• Glitter or metallic confetti from your craft box (optional)

• Vegetable oil

• Household glue

• Plastic tape

Here's how to make the wave-maker:

Fill the soda bottle halfway with water and add about 4 drops of food coloring. Add a sprinkle of glitter or confetti for sparkle, a few pinches at a time, if you wish. You might even want to add small plastic fish or other sea-themed trinkets. Using a small kitchen funnel, fill the bottle the rest of the way with vegetable oil. Be sure to pour slowly as it nears the top of the bottle. If there's still oil dripping through the funnel, it may overflow. Add a dab of glue around the threads on the bottle top, and then screw the cap on very tightly to seal. Let the glue dry. Colored plastic tape can be wrapped around the cap for extra sealing protection and decoration.

Here's the fun:

Hold the bottle horizontally in front of you. Tilt and rock it slowly from side to side to create action in your new wave-maker. Keep it in a handy place to create your own "ocean view" anytime.

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Write Donna with your questions and ideas at www.donnasday.com. Donna's latest book, "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families," is available in bookstores nationwide. © Donna Erickson Dist. by King Features Syndicate