How to Recycle Plastic Milk Caps or Lids with Craft Projects, Games and Activities

Don't throw your milk jug lids away. There are so many fun and creative ideas available to recycle them, and help our environment.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• plastic lids/caps and rings from plastic milk jugs

1. Play a very old game by stacking milk bottle caps. For more information copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link provided in resources below) and enter: http://www.punahou59.org/ppunahougames.htm.

2. 
    

   Make a flying saucer and recycle old CD's also. For directions on how to make one, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link found in resources below) and enter: http://www.everythingpreschool.com/themes/space/art.htm.

3. Make cup coasters. For an easy project that kids can make, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources below) and enter: http://www.craft.dow.com/craft/proj/1450.htm.

4. Use them to make cardboard box costumes. For ideas, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources below) and enter: http://www.parentinghumor.com/activityecenter/funwithboxes/boxcostumes.htm.

5. Make a piggy bank toy with a slot for milk caps. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link provided in resources below) and enter: http://www.potentialstherapy.com/homemade_toys.asp.

6. Make a game called "Fox and Rabbits". For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources below) and enter: http://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/games/game.htm.

7. Make a Bubble Mill that also recycles a few wine corks. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link provided in resources below) and enter: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10823

8. 
    

   Make Christmas Milk Jug Cap Ornaments by Kathy Ross. For directions copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the links provided in resources below) and enter: http://www.pinksunrise.com/craft/rossbotcap.htm

9. 
    

   Make a Recycled Christmas Wreath Milk Ring Ornament by crocheting around a milk jug ring or juice cap ring. For directions copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link to instructions in resources below): http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/2008/11/recycled-milk-ring-christmas-ornament.html

10. Make a school bus craft. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link provided in resources below) and enter: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/groundtrans/l/blbusmk.htm

11. Make a pumpkin magnet for October and November crafts. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources below) and enter: http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/pumpkincraft1/l/blpumpmag.htm.

12. 
     

    Paint a milk cap black and make a miniature frying pan (see resources). Directions are found at online by copying and pasting the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link provided in resources below) and enter: http://www.ehow.com/how_4428227_frying-pan-using-plastic-cap.html

13. For the creative sewing enthusiasts, make fashionable clothing. This will take some time and patience. For information on this copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources) and enter: http://www.factio-magazine.com/specialfeatures/spe_recicle_art.cfm.

14. Save a 1-gallon milk jug and cap to make a free watering can. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources below) and enter: http://inthegardenonline.com/serendipity/index.php?/archives/65-Reuse-It-5-Reuses-for-Plastic-Milk-Jugs.html.

15. Play an educational sorting game with your kids. For directins, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link provided in resources below) and enter: http://www.education.com/activity/article/sortinggame_preschool/

16. Milk Cap Stack lesson plan for grades K-2 (see resources).

17. Make a wheelbarrow planter, but instead of using buttons for wheels, use milk jug caps. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box (or click on the link in resources below) and enter: http://www.highlightskids.com/Express/Crafts/Decorations/C0699_seedWheelbarrow.asp.

18. Save two different colors of milk caps for checker pieces, 12 for each player.

19. Make a Pioneer Covered Wagon (see resources).

20. Build a Motor-Car (see resources).

21. Make a memory game (see resources).

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a sandwich size plastic bag on your refrigerator, held in place with a magnet, to save milk lids.
• Ask friends and neighbors to save lids/caps for you.
• Save lids/caps throughout the school year so you will have plenty of fun during the summer months.
• Read Little House on the Prairie books, and make the covered wagon as an activity.
• Book suggestion: "Bottle Cap Activities : Recycled Crafts for All Ages", by Kathy Cisneros, Humanics Ltd Partners (September 1, 1998), ISBN-10: 0893342793 ISBN-13: 978-0893342791.
• Be sure to wash and dry recycled items before using.

Resources

• Milk Bottle Cap Game
• Make a Flying Saucer
• Milk Cap Coasters
• Cardboard Box Costumes
• Homemade Toys ~ Piggy Back
• Make a game ~ Fox and Rabbits
• Family Fun ~ Bubble Mill
• Kathy Ross ~ Bottle Cap Ornaments
• School Bus Craft
• Pumpkin magnet Craft
• Mini Frying Pan - see Recyclable SWAPS
• Recycled Fashion
• Make a Watering Can
• Educational Sorting Game with Milk Caps/Lids
• Milk Cap Stack Activity - Grades K-2
• Pine Cone Tree Ornament
• DLTK's Pine Cone Ornament
• Wheelbarrow Planter Craft
• Pioneer Covered Wagon Craft
• Build a Motor-Car Craft
• Memory Game ~ Highlights Crafts
• Milk Cap Flowers ~ Preschool

[joni04]

on 3/12/2009 These are great! *****

[Gourmet2Go]

on 8/11/2008 What cute ideas! Thanks so much.