Create Craft
4 Fun upcycling activities to keep kids entertained
Upcycling is a creative and eco-friendly way to keep kids entertained while teaching them about recycling and sustainability. Here are some fun upcycling activities for kids:
1. Tin Can Planters: Turn empty tin cans into colorful planters. Clean the cans, paint them, and then plant small flowers or herbs in them. Kids can decorate the cans with stickers, markers, or even decoupage.
2. Cardboard Box Creations: Gather cardboard boxes and let kids transform them into playhouses, castles, or cars. They can use paint, markers, and old fabric for curtains, making it a fun and imaginative project.
3. T-Shirt Tote Bags: Repurpose old T-shirts by turning them into tote bags. Kids can cut off the sleeves and neckline, and then decorate them with fabric paint or markers.
4. Glass Jar Lanterns: Collect glass jars and create beautiful lanterns. Paint the jars or use tissue paper and glue for a stained glass effect. Place tea lights or battery-operated candles inside for a soft glow.
5. Magazine Collage Art: Have kids cut out images and words from old magazines and create collages on canvas or paper. This activity is not only creative but also helps improve fine motor skills.
6. CD Spinners: Old CDs can be turned into colorful spinners. Kids can paint them, attach a string, and watch them twirl in the wind. It’s a great way to add some color to the garden.
7. Egg Carton Critters: Egg cartons can be transformed into cute critters. Cut individual cups from the carton and paint them to look like animals or bugs. Add googly eyes, pipe cleaner legs, and other decorations.
8. Plastic Bottle Bowling: Collect empty plastic bottles and turn them into a bowling set. Fill them with a bit of sand or water to make them stable. Use a soft ball to roll and knock them down.
9. Denim Pocket Organizers: Cut pockets from old jeans and stitch them together to create a wall organizer for small toys, art supplies, or other items. Kids can decorate them with fabric paint or embroidery.
10. Newspaper Hats: Create stylish hats by folding and shaping old newspapers. Kids can then decorate them with paint, stickers, or even origami flowers.
11. Puzzle Piece Art: Gather puzzle pieces from old or incomplete puzzles and use them to make unique artwork. Paint the pieces and assemble them into interesting designs.
12. Cereal Box Puzzles: Kids can draw or paint their own pictures on the back of cereal boxes, then cut them into puzzle pieces for a fun and personalized puzzle.
13. Junk Robot Sculptures: Collect various odds and ends (bottle caps, screws, buttons, etc.) and use them to build fun and imaginative robot sculptures. Let kids’ creativity run wild.
14. Scrap Fabric Friendship Bracelets: Use small fabric scraps to make colorful and unique friendship bracelets. Braiding, weaving, or knotting techniques can be used to create different patterns.
15. Plastic Lid Suncatchers: Gather plastic lids from containers and have kids decorate them with translucent paint. When dry, these can be hung in windows to catch the sunlight and create beautiful patterns.
These upcycling activities not only provide hours of entertainment but also teach kids the importance of repurposing and being environmentally conscious. Enjoy the creative journey!
Also Like:- 10 Eco Friendly Crafts.
1. Build a Bird feeder
Building a bird feeder is a fun and rewarding DIY project that can attract beautiful birds to your garden or backyard. Here’s a simple guide on how to make a basic bird feeder using commonly available materials:
Materials Needed:
1. Wooden Planks: You’ll need some pieces of untreated wood. Cedar is a good choice because it’s naturally weather-resistant. The dimensions can vary based on your design, but a common size is 6″ x 6″ for the base and 12″ x 12″ for the sides.
2. Screws: To assemble the pieces of wood.
3. Plastic or Glass Panels: These will be used to create the walls of the feeder, allowing you to see the birds. You can use old picture frames or any clear plastic or glass sheets.
4. Wire or Twine: This will be used to hang the bird feeder.
5. Birdseed: To attract the birds.
6. Bird Feeder Perch: You can use small dowels or sticks for the birds to land on.
Tools Needed:
1. Saw: To cut the wood to the desired size.
2. Screwdriver: For attaching the wooden pieces.
3. Drill: To create holes for the perch and for hanging the feeder.
Instructions:
1. Design Your Feeder:
• Decide on the size and shape of your bird feeder. You can make it as simple or as ornate as you like.
• Ensure that you have a removable top or lid for refilling the birdseed.
2. Cut the Wood:
• Use a saw to cut the wooden planks into the required pieces for the base, sides, and roof.
3. Assemble the Feeder:
• Attach the sides to the base using screws to create a box-like structure.
• Attach the clear plastic or glass panels to three of the sides to create walls. Leave one side open for filling the birdseed.
4. Create Perches:
• Drill small holes near the bottom of the feeder on two opposite sides.
• Insert dowels or sticks into these holes to create perches for the birds.
5. Create a Hanger:
• Drill a hole at the top of the feeder.
• Thread a wire or twine through the hole, and tie it securely to create a hanger.
6. Fill with Birdseed:
• Open the top or lid, and fill the feeder with birdseed.
7. Hang Your Bird Feeder:
• Find a suitable location in your garden or backyard, preferably near trees or shrubs to provide cover for the birds.
8. Enjoy the Birds:
• Keep an eye on your feeder, and enjoy the various birds that visit to feed.
Remember to regularly refill the feeder to keep the birds coming back. Additionally, cleaning your bird feeder from time to time is essential for the birds’ health and well-being. A clean feeder helps prevent the spread of diseases among the birds.
2. Make your own geodes
Creating your own geodes is a fun and creative craft project that can be done using readily available materials. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your own geodes:
Materials you’ll need:
1. Eggshells: You can use empty, clean eggshells for the outer shell of your geodes.
2. Alum powder: Alum is a common crystalline substance that you can find in most grocery stores or online.
3. White glue: To create the crystal-like interior of your geode.
4. Food coloring: This is optional, but it can add color to your geode’s crystals.
5. Hot water: For dissolving the alum.
6. Containers: Small plastic or glass containers for mixing your alum solution.
7. Paintbrush: For applying the glue.
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Prepare the eggshells:
• Carefully crack open the top of your eggshells and empty them. Rinse them thoroughly and let them dry.
2. Paint the eggshells:
• Use a paintbrush to apply a thin layer of white glue inside the eggshells. This will provide a base for your crystals to form.
3. Create the alum solution:
• In a separate container, dissolve alum powder in hot water. You’ll need approximately 3 tablespoons of alum for every cup of hot water. Stir until the alum is fully dissolved.
4. Optional: Add food coloring:
• If you want your geode to have colored crystals, add a few drops of food coloring to the alum solution. Stir to distribute the color evenly.
5. Grow the crystals:
• Pour the alum solution into the eggshells with the glue. Fill them to the top.
• Place the eggshells in a cool, undisturbed location. Let them sit for several days or even up to a week. As the water evaporates, alum crystals will begin to form on the inside of the eggshells.
6. Check and harvest your geodes:
• After a few days, check the progress of your geodes. You can gently tap the sides to see if any crystals have formed. If they haven’t reached the desired size, allow them to continue growing. If they look good, carefully remove the geodes from the solution.
7. Finishing touches:
• Once you’re satisfied with the crystal growth, let the geodes dry completely. You can also seal the outside of the eggshells with clear nail polish or a sealant to give them a glossy finish.
Now you have your homemade geodes! These miniature geodes can be great for educational purposes, decorative pieces, or even as gifts. Experiment with different colors and sizes to create a stunning collection of geodes.
3. Learn how to make tube owls
I’m not familiar with the term “tube owls.” It’s possible that you’re referring to a craft or project involving the creation of owl-shaped decorations or art using cardboard tubes. If that’s the case, here’s a simple craft project to make “tube owls” from cardboard tubes, like toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls:
Materials you’ll need:
1. Cardboard tubes (toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls)
2. Colored paper or craft foam in various colors
3. Googly eyes
4. Scissors
5. Glue
6. Markers or colored pencils
7. Pipe cleaners (optional, for feet)
Steps to make tube owls:
1. Flatten and cut the cardboard tube:
• Start by flattening the cardboard tube to make it more owl-shaped.
• Cut the tube into the desired length, which will determine the size of your owl.
2. Cover the tube:
• Wrap the flattened tube with colored paper or craft foam. This will be the body of your owl. Glue it in place.
3. Make the owl’s face:
• Cut out a circle from colored paper to create the owl’s face. The size should be proportionate to the body.
• Glue the face onto the front of the covered tube.
4. Add eyes:
• Glue googly eyes onto the face. You can use two googly eyes or create more unique designs with different sizes and colors.
5. Create a beak:
• Cut a small triangle from colored paper or craft foam to make the owl’s beak.
• Glue the beak beneath the eyes.
6. Make feathers:
• Cut out small feather shapes from colored paper or craft foam.
• Glue these feathers to the sides and top of the owl’s body to create the feathers.
7. Wings and feet:
• Cut out wing shapes from colored paper or craft foam and attach them to the sides of the owl.
• If you’d like to add feet, you can use small pieces of pipe cleaner and glue them to the bottom of the owl.
8. Details:
• Use markers or colored pencils to add additional details to your owl, such as markings or patterns on the feathers.
9. Let it dry:
• Allow your tube owl to dry completely before handling it.
Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have your own homemade tube owls. Feel free to get creative with the colors and decorations to make each owl unique. It’s a fun and imaginative craft project that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
4. Create a no-sew tote bag
Creating a no-sew tote bag is a simple and practical craft project that doesn’t require any sewing skills. Here’s how you can make one using an old T-shirt:
Materials you’ll need:
1. An old T-shirt (the larger, the better)
2. Scissors
3. Ruler or straight edge
4. Washable fabric marker or chalk (optional)
Steps to make a no-sew tote bag:
1. Prepare the T-shirt:
• Lay your T-shirt flat on a table or work surface.
2. Cut the sleeves off:
• Use your scissors to cut off both sleeves along the seam. Start at the shoulder seam and cut down towards the bottom hem.
3. Cut the neckline:
• Cut a U-shape from one shoulder seam to the other, removing the neckline of the T-shirt. You can make this cut as deep as you like, depending on how wide you want the opening of your tote bag to be.
4. Create fringe for the straps:
• Turn the T-shirt inside out.
• On the bottom edge of the T-shirt (the hem), make small cuts about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of uncut fabric along the edge. These cuts will be the fringe for your tote bag’s straps.
5. Tie the fringe to create straps:
• Take each pair of cuts in the hem and tie them together in a double knot. This will create two handles for your tote bag.
6. Trim the excess:
• Trim any excess fabric from the ends of the knots to tidy up the handles.
7. Optional: Reinforce the bottom:
• If you want a more structured bottom for your tote bag, you can cut a piece of cardboard to fit the bottom and insert it inside the T-shirt.
8. Turn the T-shirt right side out:
• Once you’ve tied the knots and completed the handles, turn the T-shirt right side out.
Your tote bag is now ready for use!
Your no-sew tote bag is complete, and you can use it for shopping, carrying books, or as a casual, eco-friendly accessory. The best part is that it’s a sustainable way to upcycle an old T-shirt into a functional bag.