How to Make Kids' Art from Recycled Materials

When kids make art, they develop essential skills and learn about the world through the creative process. Art materials are often expensive and usually aren't durable enough to withstand wear and tear. Next time your child asks to do an art project, gather materials from about the house and teach her the benefits of recycling.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Large baby food jar
• Glitter pens
• Hole punch
• String or fishing wire
• Potpourri
• Small doily
• Rubber band
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun
• Craft embellishments, optional
• Cardboard wrapping paper tube
• Popcorn kernels
• Markers
• Glitter
• Wine bottle
• Adhesive remover
• Glass paint
• Empty vegetable can
• Construction paper
• Buttons
• Stickers
• Damaged CDs
• Crayons

1. Create a potpourri jar using common household objects. Remove labels from a baby food jar and wash it. Fill the jar with colorful potpourri and cover the jar with a small lace doily. Secure the doily with a rubber band and tie a ribbon into a bow around the jar's neck, covering the rubber band. Use a glue gun to add decorative embellishments like fabric flowers or plastic buttons to the bow's knot.

2. Make a rain stick with a cardboard wrapping paper tube. Roll pieces of aluminum foil into a long tubular form approximately twice the length of the cardboard tube and about ½ inch in diameter. Gently push the tinfoil piece into the cardboard tube and glue a round cardboard piece to one end. Pour popcorn kernels into the tube and glue a cardboard cap to the open end. Use markers, glitter and construction paper to decorate the tube. When children turn the stick upside down, the popcorn kernels fall around the foil creating a sound like rain.

3. Turn a glass wine bottle into a flower vase. Take off the labels with an adhesive remover and wash the bottle's interior. Ask your kids to paint colorful designs on the bottle with glass paint. Add water and a flower for a lovely recycled decoration.

4. Use an empty vegetable can and construction paper to make a pencil holder. Cut construction paper to fit the metal can and use a glue can to adhere paper to the can. Use buttons, glitter, stickers and markers to decorate the can. This item looks great on children's desks and is the perfect homemade Christmas gift for teachers.

5. Decorate damaged CDs to hang from the ceiling of a child's room. Cover the printed side of the discs, using construction paper and a glue gun. Use markers, crayons, paint, glitter pens and stickers to turn the discs into works of art. Punch holes in the tops of the CDs and hang them with fishing wire or string.

Tips & Warnings

• Paper plates, cardboard tissue boxes, egg cartons and plastic bottles are great recycled art supplies. Save items like these and encourage your children to create cool art with them.

• Making recycled art isn't just for kids. Many successful artists have begun to experiment with earth-friendly materials in recent years.

• Art supplies like hot glue guns, paint and scissors can harm children and must be used under adult supervision.

Resources

• List of kids' recycled art projects