There are some must-have recycled items that can be used in making crafts for kids. Many of the these items can be found in your recycling bin, and can be saved for use in a craft project.
For kids 12-18 months, parents and caregivers may have to do part of a project, or prepare the recycled materials in some way before involving the toddler in the craft. For older kids, and those who are not longer putting everything in their mouth, they get involved at earlier stages of the recycled materials crafts process.
Always remove any pieces of plastic or foil from boxes or other items when they will be used in crafts for kids. Clean and dry all recycled item for toddler crafts. Only save recycled materials that have not come in contact with refuse, or with any raw eggs or meat.
Some of these recycle materials can be painted ahead of time by parents or caregivers, before they are given to the toddler.
Plain brown wrapping paper, mailing paper, or cut up paper bags from the supermarket can also be used to give the recycled materials a “clean slate” for use in crafts for kids.
Recycled Items Homemade Crafts for Kids
Applesauce Containers – A small, plastic applesauce container makes a great paint holder, for kids crafts that involve painting. They are a better alternative than using up all of mom’s Tupperware for the same purpose.
Brown Paper Bags – Brown paper bags from the grocery store, if you can find them, can be used to make book covers that can be used in crafts for kids. Brown paper bags can also be cut up to cover any other recycled materials so they may be decorated with crayons, stickers and markers.
Cardboard Food Boxes of Any Kind – Kids who like to play grocery, or just like boxes can use any recycled cardboard food box. A painted recycled food box can be made into a skyscraper, a robot, or a house.
Egg Carton – Egg cartons can be painted and made into anything: a bus, a vehicle, a caterpillar, a snake, a centipede, or any other fun vehicle or creature. Parents may want to paint the recycled egg carton before using in any crafts for kids.
Plastic Juice Containers– Some juice, like frozen Welch’s, now comes in convenient plastic containers with easy-to-remove lids. The lids come off, leaving a smooth surface on the top of the container, which makes it a safe choice as a material for crafts for kids. The cleaned and dried recycled container can be used to hold crayons. The recycled container can also be painted or decorated in some way. A recycled juice container can also be used to make a character of some kind, by adding feet, hands, a tail, and a face.
A juice container is preferable to an aluminum can because a can can have sharp edges.
Tissue Boxes – Empty tissue boxes can also be used for storage of small toys, or made into tall buildings, or vehicles. They are sturdy enough to use in any crafts for kids.
Paper towel Rolls – Paper towel rolls can be used to make horns, telescopes, shakers, and almost anything else a kid can imagine. Thepaper towel roll is an abundant recycled material in any house with kids.
Plastic Water Bottles – Plastic water bottles can be used to make rattles and shakers, or can be painted to make a vase, or can be made into creatures or characters.
Used Printer Paper – Unless you are using both sides of paper in your computer printer, recycled printer paper provides kids with plenty of “scrap paper” for drawing and creating.
Save empty and clean recycled materials for the next craft time with your kids.
