Introduction
Classroom waste: Did you know classrooms generate tons of waste? But what if all that trash were possible to recycle or actually remake into something cool? Recycling Crafts is one of such wonderful fun ways to learn how to protect the planet while engaging the students with fun activities. You can also find lots of interesting age-appropriate ideas for varying skills levels.
Crafts with Cardboard: Create from Boxes
Cardboard. It can be almost anything. Boxes and tubes are just the beginning-it’s easy to cut, paint, and create with-and so collect those cardboard scraps!
Cardboard Cityscape
Want to build your city? You can with cardboard! First off, you take a variety of different sized cardboard boxes. Shoe boxes and, yes, even cereal boxes work well. Next, paint the boxes different colors. Use the markers to draw windows and doors. Finally, glue the boxes together to make buildings. Now you have a cool city.
This craft teaches geography! Where do people live? What are cities like? It can also be a lesson in social studies.
Animals from Cardboard Tubes
Making cute animals from cardboard tubes is great. Paint the tubes different colors according to which animal you want to make. Add ears, tails, and other features. Now let your imagination take over. What animals can you create?
Great for STEM learning this craft lets you engineer stable animal features. Can your animal stand on its own? What will make it easy to identify?
Transforming Plastic: Waste into Wonderful
Plastic becomes something new instead of going to a landfill. Old bottles and containers can transform. Make sure to have an adult help you when cutting plastic.
Containers Out of Recycled Plastic Bottle
Do you want to plant your own plants? Use some plastic bottles! Cut a plastic bottle in half. Decorate its bottom half using paint or markers. Add soil and plant seeds. Water your plants regularly. Now you have a cool planter out of waste.
Learning about plants teaches kids many things. It tells them about how the environment works. It also tells them about recycling. What’s not to love?
Plastic Art: Making with Recycled Plastic Bags
Plastic bags can create art; however, adult supervision is required for this craft. Melting utilizes heat to plastic. Collect colorful plastic bags for this next step-the first step is the one above. Iron the bags between two sheets of parchment paper. The heat will melt the plastic. Then, cut the melted plastic into shapes. Now you have the coolest plastic art in town!
The colors and textures of melted plastic are super inspiring. So go ahead and make up anything you want!
Paper Magic: Reusing and Reinventing
Paper is the easiest to recycle. Reusing paper scraps, old newspapers, and magazines is limitless, so give it a whirl!
Make Your Own Bowls
Collect some newspaper and glue, and get yourself a bowl to work as your mold. Tear the newspaper into strips. Mix glue with water, then dip the strips in it and cover the exterior of the bowl with them. Leave it to dry, and now you have your very own paper mache bowl. You can paint it up.
Beads Created from Recycled Paper
Create some long, thin triangles from paper. Roll each triangle around a toothpick. Glue the end. Remove the toothpick. Seal the beads with glue or varnish. The beads are strung together for jewelry.
Making paper beads teaches math skills. Measuring and cutting are required and can also learn about patterns.
Fabric Fun: Creative Repurposing of Fabrics in Classrooms
Old clothes and fabric scraps shouldn’t naturally go to waste. You can make something really cool out of them. Very simple in green.
Scraps-to-Bookmarks
Make bookmarks from old fabric scraps. Cut rectangles from different kinds of fabrics. Sew or glue the joined fabrics together. You can even add some ribbons or buttons. Now you have a plug-in unique bookmark.
Use a different themed fabric for every book. Make a spooky bookmark for a horror book. Use holiday fabrics for a festive bookmark. Get the idea?
T-Shirt Tote Bags
Everything is done to convert an old t-shirt into a tote bag. Sew it, don’t sew it. Off with the sleeves and neckline. Tie those bottom edges. Voila, you have your reusable bag.
Using reusable bags is kind to the environment. Reduce plastic waste. They are very easy to make, too.
Conclusion
Recycled crafts are a good way to learn. They teach the environment and foster creativity. They also urge resourcefulness. Get trying with those crafts. Make them your own. Adapt them to your resources. Remember, it is very important to teach about sustainability. It begins with hands-on, simple projects.
