Save on Kids Craft Supplies - Recycle!

Here is some information about how to collect and use recycled objects in your crafts!

You can save a lot of money on arts and crafts supplies by saving things that you might ordinarily throw away! If you are building up a craft supply box for a classroom, daycare, church or school - get the parents involved by sending out list of these items so they can help out too!

Make sure to prepare each item for storage. Wash and dry anything that contained food or liquids. Remove labels from jars, boxes, containers, etc. Be sure to have a place for each type of item. Plastic shoe boxes or empty baby wipe containers are great for storage. If you organize well, the supplies will be ready and easy to find when you need them!

plastic milk jug lids
plastic milk jugs (1/2 gal. and gallon)
soda can tabs
paper towel tubes
paper grocery bags
plastic grocery bags
baby wipe containers
baby food jars and lids
frozen juice can lids
plastic containers and thier lids(like Cool Whip)
empty milk cartons (any size)
plastic soda bottles (any size)
soda bottle lids
junk mail
newspaper
broken crayons
camera film canisters
old computer and music cd's
plastic produce baskets
magazines
popsicle sticks
old markers
mismatched board game pieces
cardboard or foam egg crates
candy wrappers
rubber bands

Now what do you do with all of this stuff?? Create! Here are a couple of ideas:

Wheelbarrow Planter

Need:

Laundry detergent scoop
2 plastic milk jug lids
6" length of ribbon
potting soil
flower seeds (seeds)
craft glue
water

Clean and dry scoop and lids. Glue a milk jug lid to each side of the scoop to form the wheels. Allow the glue to dry. Tie the ribbon to the handle of the scoop. Fill the scoop with potting soil, and plant the seeds. Sprinkle the soil with a few drops of water. You can have the child make these planters as gifts. Enjoy!

Ocean Treasures in a Bottle

Need:

empty small clear plastic soda bottle
water
cooking oil
blue food coloring
beads
shells
glitter
coins

Remove the label from the bottle. Pour enough water to fill 3/4 of the bottle. Add a drop of blue food coloring. Add in the shells, beads, coins, and glitter. Fill the remainder with cooking oil. Place the lid on securely - you may want to wrap the secured lid with electrical tape. Now you have an ocean in a bottle - with treasure!!

If you have trouble getting the entire label off - you may want to place a label over it saying "(child's name)'s Ocean in a Bottle".

Have fun and let your children be creative with thier recycled treasures!

Pam Lester is the owner and creator of http://www.TheIdeaBox.com. The site offer free kids crafts, recipes, games and activities for parents, teachers and caregivers. Please visit TheIdeaBox.com for more great ideas!

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Crafts-Hobbies Information:

Related Articles

The Wonderful Art of Bonsai
The potential for enjoyment of Bonsai trees is enormous. These are the dwarf-sized trees that have been developed in the Asian countries of China and Japan for many hundreds of years.
Puzzle Pieces, Sequins, and Rhine Stones in Your Scrapbooks
Puzzle pieces make playful embellishments and borders. Puzzle pieces give a creative and playful look to children's art and educational scrapbooks.
The Unusual Characteristics Of Reverse Painting
By stepping backwards in time one can discover an important part of art history associated with reverse painting on glass.It was an era that heralded the use of this art form 'en masse' during which people in communities could directly express in their own original way what they lived, perceived and felt in their own daily lives.
Organize 1000's Of Photos Easily
The easiest way is to start right from the beginning, your pregnancy. Chronological order is an easy way to organize your photos, that's if you remembered to write all the dates down.
Treasure Hunting - The Unusual Ways
When you think of treasure hunting, maybe gold coins and precious stones come to mind, but it doesn't end there. You can start in your own attic to see what treasures you find.
What Is An Un-circulated Coin?
You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?"Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin.
It is Possible to Create All Kinds of Items with Hobby Metal Casting
Hobby Metal Casting enables the home metal craft worker to createuseful products to use around the: -HOME-WORKSHOP-GARDEN or WORKPLACE- Or turn your skills into cash.Yes,you could also make your own unique products for next to nothing to sell at markets, direct mail, or on the internet etc for big profits.
Origami Instructions
Origami is a fantastic art form that guarantees hours of fun and enjoyment, not to mention a great way to challenge yourself and build your creativity. However many beginners come across trouble in 2 main areas:1.
Scrapbook Photographs -- How A Picture Can Be Worth A Thousand Words
For many people, photos are at the heart of their scrapbooks -- and for a very good reason. We all treasure photgraphs of friends and loved ones, and many of us carry some with us wherever we go in a wallet or locket or keep photos on our desk at work.
How to Make Sea Shell Candles
Collecting sea shells along the beach is a favorite kids summer activity. Take it one step further by transforming their seaside treasures into beautiful decorations or kids make-and-take party favors.
A Look at Cloisonné Lapel Pins
Cloisonné lapel pins are the most traditional, if not the most collectible of the lapel pin types. Most of the older lapel pins are either die-cast metal or cloisonné.
Scrapbooking Teen Memories
By the time your teen is in high school, you probably aren't taking as many pictures of them as you used to. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have a couple of years left and no time to waste trying to capture fleeing teenage memories.
History of Kokeshi Wooden Dolls from Japan
Little is known of the early history of Kokeshi Japanese Wooden Dolls. One school of thought believes that Kokeshi dolls have their origins in the practice of spiritualist religion.
A Playtime Project: The Memory Quilt
A friend recently suggested a use for my daughter's first wardrobe, which I've dutifully saved in the back of the closet, and lugged on two long distance relocations. Turns out she's done the same thing with her daughter's first clothes, and we've decided to make memory quilts.
Woodworking: The Best Wood For Beginners
Woodworking: Know Your WoodWood is made of cellulose fibers, held together with a property called lignin, and is classified as hardwood or softwood, depending on the type of tree from which it comes. In addition, sapwood or new growth wood on a tree is still alive, while heartwood refers to the part of the tree that is no longer functioning.
Rare Depression Glass Pieces
Depression Glass - The Rare PiecesDid you know that if you happen to have a crystal (clear) and pink Depression Glass refrigerator bowl in the Crisscross pattern in good condition and with its original cover, that it'svalued at between $300 and $335? Or that Shirley Templecream pitcher your grandmother keeps in the back of her upper cabinet could bring up to $1,250 at auction? If you didn't, thenyou've been in the dark about rare Depression Glass pieces and their values! Here are a few pieces for which knowledgeableDepression Glass collectors stay on constant lookout:The Ruby Red Aladdin Beehive LampMade for only six months during 1937, this lamp currentlybrings anywhere from $700 to $950 - if it can be found!Most collectors owning this piece understandably do not haveany interest in letting go of it, which makes it even rarer.The color of the glass in the Aladdin series of ruby lamps variesfrom a light red with an amber tint to dark, rich red, with the deeper reds fetching more interest with today's collectors.
Jewelry and the Art of Selling
Two of the most frequently asked questions we get at the Online Jewelry Appraisal Center is:"How do I sell an item of Antique or Estate Jewelry?" or..
Bartering: A Modern Day Phenomenon
Back in the early days of America, families didn't have much in the form of money. What they did have was skill, creativity, and a desire to help each other out.
Easy Origami
Starting outOrigami is an art of paper folding, therefore all you should need is a piece of paper and you can start folding away without any problems, right? Well, almost. You might need a few other things that we will talk about in this chapter.
How Could Your Hobby be the Key to Financial Success?
Virtually everyone has the knowledge they need to make a fortune. Everyone has an interest, hobby or has knowledge about a particular subject.
>