30 Recycled Crafts for Kids That Are Easy and Fun
Tin can planters and water bottle fishes are only a few unique ideas on our list.
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Crafts are always fun to try with your kids — especially when you rely on crafting supplies straight from your recycling bin. In light of Earth Day (and love for our planet), we're sharing our favorite recycled crafts for kids that are simple, unique and great for keeping your kids entertained at home.
Our DIY ideas range from egg carton flowers and cork bottle bugs to water bottle fishes and bird feeders made of toilet paper rolls, which are perfect for inspiring your child's creativity and teaching them about climate change (and how to make a positive impact on our environment). And don't worry about blowing your budget on craft supplies. The materials needed are versatile, with glass, plastic and cardboard being a few pieces you can purchase for less or find around the house (great for showing your little ones how important it is to make responsible choices about products they buy daily). So if you're looking for something fun to do on April 22 with your kids, choose one (or even two) of these crafts from our list. Plus, be sure to check out our best Earth Day quotes for eco-friendly inspiration.
Accordion Paper Flowers
These paper flowers are so colorful and fun to make. Download these templates before following the steps below to make them (in multiple, sizes, shapes and colors).
- Cut out 4 pieces of yellow or white paper (depending on what color daffodil you would like) using the first template.
- Fold the paper in half both vertically and horizontally and open again. Fold the bottom up about ¼" and crease it down.
- Flip the paper over and fold all the way to the top until you create an accordion.
- Fold the accordion-folded paper in half and attach the two middle pieces together with double-sided tape.
- Repeat steps 2-4 with the remaining 3 pieces of paper.
- Connect all 4 together with a strip of double stick tape to create a flower shape.
- Cut out a rectangle of orange paper about 2" x 1.5" and cut little points on one of the long edges.
- Roll the rectangle loosely to make a tube shape and connect with a small piece of double-sided tape, folding the bottom edge down to create a flat bottom.
- Glue the little cup you made into the center of the flower to finish your daffodil.
Window Frame Organizer
Turn a dumpster-bound window frame into an entryway organizer. Have your kids help you paint the frame in their preferred color before DIYing unique ways to make it functional, including adding small hooks for keys and compact accessories.
Egg Carton Flowers
These colorful flowers will last longer than real ones — and only a few materials are required (egg cartons included).
Paper Flowers
Your little ones will have so much fun making paper flowers to spruce up their room. To make, have them fold dyed cupcake liners in half and cut out petal and fringe shapes. Then fold a piece of floral wire in half and twist around the faux flower stamen. Poke the wire through the center of three to four paper liners. Finish it off by wrapping floral tape around the base of the liners and bringing it all the way down the stem.
Recycled Robot
Let your kids search through the recycling pile for materials to make their own robots. Cardboard, tissue paper rolls, canisters and containers can all be added to a pile so they can pick their preferred robot parts.
Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder
Spring is a beautiful time to go birdwatching. Bring the birds to your backyard with a DIY bird feeder.
Tin Can Planter
After turning a regular tin can into a silly-faced planter, show your kids how to grow and care for their own succulents.
Bottle Cap Horse
Gather the stash of bottle caps you've been saving and invite your kids to DIY their version of a horse. You can also purchase caps if you don't have enough to complete this project.
Wine Cork Giraffes
If the zoo is your child's favorite place, bring the animals right to them! Your little one can make their very own mini and tall giraffes with an assortment of wine corks.
Earth-Shaped Crayons
These unique earth-shaped crayons can be made using a round silicone mould or a metal muffin tin. Along with being a fun Earth Day craft, they also make cute gifts.
Juice Jug Rocket
Believe it or not, this rocket was made with a finished bottle of apple juice. You can use any bottles of juice, water or soda in the house and give kids the freedom to transform them into rockets.
Mini Lid Banjos
These mini banjos can be made in less than 10 minutes. Although their sound is on the soft side, they're still cute crafts for kids to try.
Water Bottle Flowers
Instead of discarding your pack of water bottles when they're finished, your kids can turn them into colorful flowers using pom poms, construction paper and straws.
DIY Terrarium
Develop your child's green thumb early on with this DIY terrarium made from paper and a plastic cup.
Tin Can Wind Chimes
You and your kids can make wind chimes using tin cans and washers. Try different sizes of washers and tin cans to experiment with a variety of sounds.
Cork Love Bugs
Show the Earth your appreciation with these adorable cork love bugs. From coloring the corks to glueing on the googly-eyes, your kids will enjoy every step of this craft.
Banana Leaf Wreath
As warmer weather approaches, this wreath makes a cute decoration for the home. You can swap out the green color of the crepe paper for your kids' favorites.
Yogurt Cup Animals
After they clean out their yogurt cups, they can easily be turned into their favorite zoo animals — from bears and elephants to monkeys and giraffes.
Water Bottle Fish
Teach your kids all about ocean life by teaching them how to make their own little fishies with simple water bottles. Use both standard size and smaller bottles to mix things up.
Tissue Box Succulent Planter
Save your tissue boxes so your kids can turn them into planters. Wrapping twine around the box makes a unique design, while keeping it sturdy enough to hold their succulents.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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