A milk gallon is a wonderful tool for children to use. Start with an empty one you cleaned and let dry. Then use a variety of common items to begin the fun and learning. Depending on what you do with the gallon, you may have to be the one to modify it. Supervise as needed for your child's age, skills, and maturity levels.

1. Scoop - A gallon makes for a great scooping tool. Cut away the top half using a sharp pair of scissors. File down any sharp edges with a piece of sandpaper or a file. Then, give your child beans, rice, and pasta to scoop. Bonus: Ask your child to measure what he or she scoops. Build good reading skills by asking him or her to predict differences in the results. Then, write a short story!

2. Water Pitcher - Your child will thrill as he or she turns an ordinary gallon into a watering pitcher for flowers and plants. Use paint to decorate and let dry. Follow this with a sealer, found at most craft stores.

3. Nature Collection - Take a walk with your child and let him or her collect small pieces of nature in the gallon. Before you go, cut off the top half with a sharp pair of scissors. Use the discard piece for more fun with scooping or water play. File down sharp edges.

4. Skill Booster - Pouring drinks from a large pitcher can be a challenge for many children. Try boosting your child's skills and confidence by pouring a small amount of water in the gallon. Let him or her practice pouring the water in a cup. When this is mastered, mark the level on the outside of the gallon. The next day, add a little more and repeat the process. As he or she learns to control the flow, confidence and skills increase.

5. Sorting - Use multiple containers to help your child learn to sort common items. These can include beans, rice, and pasta. Ask your child to predict how much of each item a container could hold. Write down the predictions. Bonus: Your child can develop another skill by figuring out which items fit best in each container if you use large pasta and other large items.

6. Weighing - Liquids can weigh different amounts. We know this; yet, a young child will thrill as he or she learns it. Help him or her pour different amounts of liquid in the gallon. As he or she does this, weigh the gallon. Bonus: Let your child further math skills by measuring out the liquid poured in the gallon. See how many ways the amount can be combined to equal different measurements. Make a chart for the results.

7. Toy Washer - Germs can easily hide on toys. Let your child fill a gallon with water. You spray each toy, waterproof ones only, with a safe soap. Then, your child can rinse the toy. This is a great outside activity on a hot day.

8. Water Play - Nothing says summer fun like playing in the water. Using a sharp tool, poke holes in the bottom of a gallon. Tie it to a branch of a tall tree. Then, place an old shower curtain on the ground. Use a water hose to add water to the gallon and watch your child have fun as it flows down on his or head.

9. Goldfish Home - Cut away the top half of the gallon, and fill the bottom with pebbles and  water. Let it sit for a day, in a clean area. Add a goldfish or two, following directions from a pet store. This must take place in the right way or the fish will not survive. Don't forget to feed the fish and clean out the gallon on a regular schedule. Bonus: Your child will learn responsibility in small does.

10. Bank - Skip the more expensive banks for helping your child save money. Use leftover scrap items to decorate the gallon. Then, as your child collects coins and bills, ask him or her to set small goals for saving even more. Use a calendar to help save too by writing down the amount saved each week or month. Bonus: Your child will focus on saving, not spending, so hopefully he or she will not bug you for funds!