These 20 Easy Recycled Craft Ideas for Kids turn items you already have lying around into hours of fun! Pulling from materials like old t-shirts, milk jugs, canning jars, paper bags, and magazines...this list is proof that crafts don't have to be complicated, or expensive!
Make a Whimsical Repurposed Wind Chime
Look through your kitchen cupboards, junk drawers or shop to find the fun items needed for you and your grands to make your whimsical repurposed wind chimes. A trip to your local thrift stores is also a great source of items to repurpose.
Create Bug Boxes from Bottles, Cartons and Milk Jugs
I love watching kids discover June bugs, ladybugs and lightning bugs outside in the grass or on the sidewalk. Upcycle milk jugs, cardboard milk boxes, plastic pop bottles, and yogurt containers into bug boxes for the kids!
Make Your Own Paper Using Recycled Paper
Paper making can get to be a habit if you aren’t careful. It is such an intriguing and hands on process. Once you start it is easy to think of many other things to try putting into the paper pulp to get different effects. It is also a wonderful way to recycle old paper.
Turn a T-Shirt Into a Tote Bag (2 Ways!)
Do you have a couple t-shirts in your closet that aren’t getting worn? Or one that has the coolest logo? Well, use it to make a t-shirt tote bag so it will get its second life!
Make a T-Shirt Tote Bag...No Sewing Required!
Here is another no-sew way to show your grands how to make a T-shirt tote bag. I forgot all about the possibility of tying off the bag. Aren’t the beads on the bottom so cool? It finishes off the bag and gives it a whole different look.
Create a Stained Glass Candle Holder From an Old Jar
This sweet stained glass candle holder is so simple to make but fun for every age! Each grand needs a jar, a canning jar or empty mayo jar of any size and shape that you would like. We used pint sized canning jars for ours.
Use Old Magazines to Make Mosaic Art
Seriously, this is the easiest craft we have done in some time and the grands all loved it! It works for any age, even for adults!! Torn Paper Mosaic Art is going on the list of “Nana’s Favorites”.
Turn a Wooden Pallet Into a Flag
Pallet crafts are popular, but this Fourth of July wooden pallet painted flag is the first pallet craft that I’ve done myself or with the grands. I don’t thing it won’t be the last!
Make Your Own Musical Instruments
Here are three homemade musical instruments you and the grands can make yourself; a drum, a tambourine and a fife. Organize your own little parade and have some fun!!
Decorate Glass Gem Magnets with Magazine Clippings
Aren’t these DIY Glass Gem Magnets so cute, colorful and cheerful? I’ve admired DIY Glass Gem Magnets for a long time. The DIY Amazing Magnetic Chalkboard project gave the perfect excuse to try and make a few.
Use Paper to Make Plantable Seed Valentines
The grands will enjoy making recycled seed paper Valentines with real flower seeds in them. When the lucky recipient is ready, they can plant them to get the seeds to grow. How cool is that?
Set up a Drive-In Movie Theater Using Cardboard Boxes
Have a few extra moving or apple boxes around? Turn them into "cars" and let each kid decorate their own, so they can have a Drive-In Movie Theater Birthday Party!
Use Old Denim and Rag Strips to Create a Flag Decoration
With ice cream in a bag, each child gets to make their own serving of home-made ice cream. They can watch it freeze before their very own eyes! This is a hit for any age, young to the not-so-young!
Turn an Sock Into a Silly Snowman
A fun and silly sock snowman made out of a…you guessed it, a sock! I tucked the idea in my head to try with the grands as it was simple and perfect for a winter day craft.
Make Glowing Luminaries from Paper Bags
Ready to have your heart warmed?? You and your kids can make some sweet and easy glowing paper bag luminaries to line your sidewalks. Guests will be charmed as they make their way to the door.
Turn a Wooden Picture Frame Into a Weaving Loom
Did you know you can make a weaving loom from any size wooden picture frame? Weaving is so amazing. I’ll never tire of it! Get ready for hours of fun!
Or...Make an Easy Weaving Loom from Cardboard
There are several ways to make an easy weaving loom, but when the grands popped in unexpectedly a cardboard loom just took minutes to make. Try this loom for a simpler version for younger kids!
Turn Plastic Bags into Parachutes
We used a tall kitchen trash bag for these beauties. If I had been thinking I would have looked for something a bit brighter in color. But during Covid, beggars can’t be choosey, we used what was on hand.
Make Puppet Pals from Paper Bags
Your imagination is the limit on what kind of paper bag puppet you would like to make. People, animal or fairy tale figures can all come to life in a puppet made with simple shapes cut out of construction paper, some paper bags and some glue. Come on, let’s go have some fun!
Turn Fabric Strips Into a Wreath
This sweet and simple wreath uses just recycled fabric strips and a wreath form! I found this heart shaped willow wreath at a garage sale, but I’ve seen several types similar to it in the hobby stores.
ENJOY!
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