Remember the days of school science projects made from cardboard boxes, afternoons cutting and sticking magazine collages, and raiding the cupboards for anything that could fuel your imagination…
Without even realizing it, many of us spent our childhoods using recycled materials to create our own fun.
With so many toys on the market now - and attention spans infamously getting shorter - there can be pressure to constantly buy the latest games on the market regardless of the plastic waste they produce.
It’s time to bring that old-school creativity back to our kids.
Recycled materials projects are a great way to teach your children about resourcefulness, saving money, reducing their waste, and thinking creatively. And the best part is they’ll be learning through play, taking in sustainable wisdom without even realizing it.
Rain or shine, we’ve designed all these activities to be done from the comfort of your home. Some are accessible for all ages, and others are more suitable for older kids, just make sure to supervise when there are any sharp objects involved.
Get ready to raid the recycling, and let the fun begin!
Jump Straight In!
- Egg Carton Herb Starter
- Mason Jar Snow Globe
- Tin Can Wind Chimes
- Upcycled Tote Bags
- Glass Jar Lanterns
- Sock Puppets
- Plastic Bottle Rockets
Quick Facts: Toys, Waste, and Overconsumption
- Nearly 80% of toys end up in landfills
- Plastic toys are notoriously difficult to recycle because of their complex form and chemical additives.
- Studies have shown that fewer toys are a better way for children to play for creative and interactive outcomes
- The US spends $90 billion on toys ($300 if games are included)
Fun doesn’t have to come at a cost to the planet. Explore our eco-friendly toy options or try the DIY activities below to reduce your waste.
The Benefits of Crafting With Kids
Okay, so your little one’s latest ‘‘refrigerator masterpiece’’ might not be the next Picasso, but crafting with your kids has benefits way beyond their creations. It can:
- Help develop fine motor skills by using the small muscles in their fingers, which are necessary for everyday tasks like writing, eating, tying shoe laces...
- Boost cognitive skills according to the International Child Art Foundation, such as the ability to discover and innovate.
- Improve self-esteem and mental health by allowing them to freely express themselves in new and varied ways.
- Teach problem-solving skills by requiring children to think outside the box and come up with new ways of completing a task.
"I love crafting with my kids, as it’s a way for us all to hang out and create something together." - Monica, our lovely Operations Manager
Here are some fun projects to get you started!
7 Recycled Materials Projects To Try Today
Egg Carton Herb Starter
This simple activity for budding gardeners teaches the skills of patience and satisfaction of watching seeds grow.
Materials: egg carton, soil, herb seeds, water
Instructions:
- Cut the egg carton into individual sections.
- Fill each section with soil and plant herb seeds.
- Water gently and place in a sunny spot.
- Once seedlings are large enough transplant them to larger pots or your garden.
Why not repurpose... eco-kids Dinosaur Eggs Beeswax Crayons
These fun crayons already come in a post-consumer egg box, and you can use them to decorate the cardboard for your herb garden!
Mason Jar Snow Globe
Whether it’s mermaids, dinosaurs, or space, theme your DIY snow globes around your kid’s current obsession for hours of wonder.
Materials: mason jar, natural ornaments (e.g. rocks, shells, pine cones), glitter, water, glue.
Instructions:
- Glue the ornament to the inside of the mason jar lid and let it dry completely.
- Sprinkle some glitter into the mason jar and carefully fill the jar with water, leaving a small gap at the top.
- Apply glue around the rim of the jar lid and screw it onto the jar tightly. Shake gently to create a snow globe effect.
Tin Can Wind Chimes
For those who love all things shiny, sparkly, and magical, creating wind chimes can provide hours of entertainment and a tuneful melody to your backyard.
Materials: empty tin cans, paint, string, beads, and metal washers
Instructions:
- Rinse out old tin cans.
- Paint the cans and let them dry.
- Punch holes in the bottom of each can and thread string through the holes.
- Attach beads and washers to the strings.
- Hang the cans to create a decorate wind chime.
Why not use... Honeysticks Children's Paintbrush Set
If you’ve got baby brothers and sisters wanting to join in the fun, these ergonomically designed paintbrushes for ages 1-3 allow little ones help the big kids out with painting part!
Upcycled Tote Bag
Think you've got a fashionista on your hands? This stylish DIY is for you. It's suitable for older children supervised by an adult.
Materials: old t-shirts, scissors, needle, and thread
Instructions:
- Cut off the sleeves and neckline of an old t-shirt.
- Turn it inside out and sew the bottom hem shut.
- Turn it right-side out to create a tote bag, using the sleeve holes as a handle.
Glass Jar Lanterns
They might not be as sophisticated as your usual candles, but they’re sure to be sentimental. Let your children add some personality to their room by creating stained glass-style lanterns.
Materials: empty glass jars, tissue paper, glue, electric tea lights or fairy lights
Instructions:
- Cut tissue paper into small pieces.
- Glue them onto the outside of the glass jar to create a stained glass effect.
- Plastic a light or lights inside to make a lantern.
Why not repurpose... Candle Jars
Once all the wax has melted, let your kids give your cozy candles a new lease of life by creating their own!
Sock Puppets
We can’t tell you where your missing socks went, but we can tell you what to do with your odd ones. Gather them up and bring back a classic craft - sock puppets! Once you’ve made your puppets let the creativity continue by encouraging your kids to put on a show.
Materials: old and odd socks, buttons, fabric scraps, glue
Instructions:
- Decorate old socks with buttons for eyes, yarn for hair, and fabric scraps for clothing
- Use glue to attach the decorations and create fun puppets.
Plastic Bottle Rockets
Collect plastic bottles you see out and about, clean them up, and nurture your future astronauts by transforming them into bottle rockets.
Materials: empty plastic bottles, cardboard, paint, tape
Instructions:
- Decorate an empty plastic plastic bottle with paint to look like a rocket
- Cut fins and a nose cone from the cardboard and tape them on
- Enjoy hours of fun playing space with their homemade rockets!
Why not use... Kraft Tape
More durable and sustainable than masking tape, you can use this kraft tape to put your rockets together. Bonus: you can draw on the tape to add to the design.
Final Thoughts: Raising Conscious Consumers
We hope these recycled materials projects have left you feeling inspired to sort through your recycling and come up with creative craft activities for the whole family!
More than just fun, these activities pass on to your children the message that buying new things isn’t the only way to have fun. You can raise them to live sustainably, mindfully, and joyfully, just by thinking outside of the box.
Kids who play with egg carton herb gardens and plastic bottle rockets grow into trendy teenagers that thrift and upcycle, and before you know it we have a new generation of Earth Heros shopping for sustainable household essentials for their zero-waste home…
You might also like:
- 15 Fun And Affordable Activities For Kids For Plastic-Free July
- 10 Natural Baby Products for The Eco-Conscious Parent
- 10 Eco-friendly Toys To Keep Active Kids Busy
