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CraftsAll Ages44 Comments
Reduce, reuse and recycle with these 36 creative ides for upcycled crafts and upcycling activity ideas for kids!
I don’t think it’s possible to be a hands-on mom without saving anything and everything imaginable.
Ever since I started doing crafts and activities with Henry, we’ve been hoarding recyclables.
Henry actually has his own “recycling center” now.
I love seeing him take ownership of recycling and upcycling!
Now, whenever my kid adds something to his stash, he’ll tell me what upcycling ideas he’d like to use it for later.
So cool!
So, what is worth saving?
Because, let’s face it, not everything is worth saving.
36 Upcycled Crafts & Upcycling Activities Ideas for Kids!
What can be upcycled and put to good use for the kids?
Always check your recycled items for danger and really gross dirtiness before you start crafting.
Cans with roughed up edges, jars with cracks in them, or really gross paper products can all safely stay in your recycling bin.
We took a good look at our recycling bin – and checked with some of our favorite bloggers – for items that are usually in there.
And we found tons of things that can be turned into 36 upcycled kids crafts and upcycling activity ideas!
What are you and your family going to upcycle first?
It’s not just limited to these!
I’m collecting more and more ways to create upcycled kids crafts on Pinterest.
It’s neverending!
Get more cool ideas with the complete Hands On As We Grow upcycling ideas for kids collection!
Download FREE Week of Fun Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers here!
What is upcycling for kids?
Just in case you are not very familiar with the term upcycling or upcycled, we’ve got you covered.
Upcycling for kids is taking recyclable items and, with a creative idea, giving it a new use.
This can be as simple or complicated as one might like.
Taking an egg carton and turning it into a memory game.
Using a cereal box as a puzzle.
Or using old water bottles for sensory bottles.
In these upcycling ideas you take old pool noodles and cut them up for the kids to spell their names.
Upcycling for kids doesn’t “have” to be a recyclable item from the trash either.
It can just mean to take something that no longer has a purpose or need and using it for something new.
Like an old paper towel holder and shower rings being used as a ring stacking toy for babies.
Or an old wire hanger turning into a giant DIY bubble wand.
Let your imagination run wild!
What are your favorite ways to re-use recyclable items with your kids?
We’d love to try your creative ideas!
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Danny Paul says
Recycling protects the world from environmental changing and harmful substances like dust. By recycling old stuff. One decreases the amount of rubbish that will go to the dustbins as well as saves people from harmful diseases.
Black Widow says
People are so creative!
Rubbish into fun says
So many green, fun projects, can’t decide which one is my favourite! It is with such creative activities and initiatives that we should raise our kids into respecting the environment and not taking it for granted.
Chloe Dawson says
These are great ideas! My daughters and I were talking about recycling recently and these are good projects to make and to spend some nice time together. Thanks for the inspiration!
Patricia Bends says
Kids really love upcycled items, be it a toy or a lamp. My observation shows that upcycling educates children in the right time on questions like fighting waste and preserving new resources. Recently I found another big list filled with upcycling ideas and projects, you can give it a try, it might inspire you for another upcycling goodie!
http://rubbishbegone.co.uk/blog/28-fun-trash-to-treasure-ideas-for-creative-art-a-fun-way-of-looking-at-serious-crafts/
ohhdaave OG says
brill
Jessica says
I like the layout you set up. Way more user-friendly than the many lists I’ve come across where all of the images are massed together with a long list of links below..making it hard to tell what goes with what. Please keep this improved format and tell your fellow Bloggers about it!
Kristin @ Sense of Wonder says
Thanks so much for featuring our metal lid magnet tub! This is a great list
JDaniel4's Mom says
What wonderful ideas! I love all the ways people came up with to recycle.
Kathy @ MerrimentDesign.com says
Thanks for including my oatmeal container activity! Also for introducing me to your blog because it's new to me – am now following on twitter and pinterest :)
maggy, red ted art says
Nothing quite like crafting with recyclables! LOVE IT!
Thank you for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
Gail Terp says
Outstanding ideas – I look forward to trying some. Thanks!
Amy's Cooking Adventures says
Thanks for sharing my paper bag activity! What a fun group of activities for kids!
Kristina says
Saw this and thought of our can discussion… http://ohhappyday.com/2012/02/mini-cakes-diy/
Wouldn't it be fun and yummy to re-use some cans this way?
Great round up!! Will need to spend some time pinning this weekend.
Jamie @ hands on : as we grow says
Dorothy! — that is one brilliant idea you have! I'm so saving my milk jugs for that! I think the Sunny D jugs would be the best – they're square and seem sturdier. Love that idea. Really really do!
Melissa @ The Chocolate Muffin Tree says
Thanks for the feature of our CD hovercraft! We had so much fun with that and need to revisit it again soon! Thanks for the great round up—-as always!
Esther says
Wonderful Collection of upcycled crafts! Thanks for featuring our packing peanut sculpture
Dorothy says
This was great! I'd like to add- I like to take two milk/juice cartons and cut the tops off. I jam one inside the other open end to open end to make a closed block. After a while you amass a large enough collection for a set of building blocks. If you are really ambitious I suppose you could decopage or contact paper them.
Kristi @ Creative Connections for Kids says
Thanks for sharing our milk jug toss! Love this round-up. I find myself using more and more recyclables all of the time. :)
Cerys @ Rainy Day Mum says
What a great list of ideas – we have the recycling centre as well for J – it's growing with everything that he thinks he could make something with.
OneMommy says
What an assortment of great ideas!
Terri Thompson says
Great list!!