Kids Crafts
Recycled Kids Crafts
By Holly C. Blackwell
Jan 26, 2005, 03:46

If you are looking for some inexpensive and quick entertainment ideas for kids of all ages, try some of these unique recycled craft ideas. Each project is very quick and easy-to-make, as well as done using recycled materials. This is a great way to teach children the importance of recycling and our environment?not to mention the value of saving a few pennies! 

Made from magazine pages

The Traditional Paper Airplane

Supplies: Old Magazines

We've all made paper airplanes and chances are that your child may already know how to do this. Put a slight twist on it. Instead of using new paper, try using pages from magazines or other things that might just get thrown in the trash. The child may enjoy picking out the perfect brightly colored page to create his or her airplane.

Created from old greeting cards

Bookmark

Supplies: Old greeting cards, ribbon or string, hole punch, scissors,

Most greeting cards are the perfect height for a bookmark. Cut a strip about 2? wide from old cards that you?ve received and they are ideal bookmarks. The weight of the card makes for a sturdy bookmark ? and you can laminate it if you choose as well. Punch a hole at the top and tie in some ribbon or string. This, too, can be done with recycled items that may have come on a gift or purchased item. These bookmarks can be made from Christmas cards and are wonderful gifts from children. But, don?t feel limited ? they can be made from ANY type of card for any themed bookmark that you wish! Have fun with it!

Created from egg carton, cereal bag, rubberband & pipe cleaner

Butterfly

Supplies: Scissors, pencil, old egg carton, pipe cleaner, empty cereal bag, rubberband

Start with an old egg carton and cut out a ?3 egg? section of it. Punch two holes at one end with a pencil. Insert a pipe cleaner in the holes so that the ends are on the outside and they resemble antennae. Cut a large section of plastic from an empty cereal bag that comes inside cereal boxes. Scrunch it in the middle and use a rubberband to secure it to the egg carton. Spread out the plastic to give the appearance of wings. Children can also further decorate the butterfly if they choose.

Made from an old greeting card

Christmas Ornament

Supplies: Scissors, hole punch, old Christmas card, two brads, string

From an old Christmas card, cut out 6 strips that measure approximately 1? wide and 5? long. Stack them on top of one another, all facing the same direction, and punch a hole at each end. Insert a brad at each end. Gently spread out the strips until they form a ball. Loop some string around the brad on one end to hang from tree. These ornaments also found up easily for storage!

Made from a photo mat and anything else you can find!

Picture Frame

Supplies: Picture frame mat, Glue, miscellaneous items

This is a great project for children that don?t like to be hindered by rules and instructions! Start with an old picture frame mat that you might have lying around, or talk to a local frame shop about getting their scraps at a discount or even for free. Collect various items from within your household and allow the child to glue them to the mat as he or she wishes. Some possible ideas include old puzzle pieces, old game pieces, buttons, stickers, confetti, ribbon or string, any small craft supplies that you may already have on hand, uncooked noodles, etc.

*All crafts described above were offered free to children at a Recycling Day event hosted by the York County Museum in South Carolina.