24 easy recycled craft ideas for kids … using things you’d usually throw away
Charlotte Thomas
Deputy Editorial DirectorThis page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
These simple kids' craft ideas recycle everyday household goods, from plastic bottles to old newspapers and denim jeans. So there's no need to splash out on expensive art supplies.
Perfect for rainy days, school holidays and arty weekends, these quick and easy kids’ craft ideas are a great way to recycle things you'd usually throw away.
From plastic bottles to egg cartons and old CDs, kids will love upcycling everyday household items into cool art projects.
And not only will they have fun, they'll learn all about recycling, too.
It’s time to raid the rubbish and get crafty!
Recycled kids' crafts using plastic bottles
Old plastic bottles can be used to create hundreds of fun craft projects, from bottle top art to plastic bottle plant pots.
If you cut them down they make great paint and paint brush holders, too.
1. Recycled kitten planters
Super-simple to make, these cute kitten plant pots are great for storing kitchen herbs or your favourite cactus.
Cut a plastic bottle to size – don't forget to leave higher points for ears. Kids can then draw on faces and decorate with paint, glue and buttons.
Oil paint or even a simple permanent marker will prevent their lovely creation from smudging. This handy multi-pack of 18 coloured sharpie fine-tip markers are just what you need. You can get them at Amazon for a bargain price of £10.12.
You don't have to stick to kittens either, why not try tigers, monsters and other animals?
2. Recycled bottle top pictures
Colourful bottle tops make great art supplies.
Stick them onto card to create exciting 3D pictures. Kids will love using them as the centre of flowers, the bodies of fish or the wheels on cars … the only limit is their imagination!
These self-adhesive 'googly eyes' set are just perfect for crafty creations! Use them on bottle tops or any other item to turn them to life-like humans or animals. You can find this 1200-piece set at Amazon for just £5.99.
3. Recycled plastic bottle top ladybirds
These ladybirds from the Love & Lollipops blog are SOOOO easy to make.
All you need are marker pens and some stick-on googly eyes. Or if you don't want to use googly eyes, kids can paint them on instead.
Try making bumblebees as well.
4. Recycled bottle print flowers
How had we never noticed this before?
Lots of plastic bottles have a base that's shaped like a flower. Dip bottles in paint as in this creative idea from blog Crafty Morning to create a pretty painting. Use different size bottles and multiple colours and you can create a whole garden.
We highly recommend investing in a full paint set that will encourage your little one to spend time on fun and creative crafts like this one. This 24-piece set of acrylic paint tubes can be used on pretty much any surface AND comes with three handy brushes. A great starter kit that's available here at Amazon for just £10.99.
5. Recycled plastic bottle piggy bank
Use the bottom of a plastic bottle and a sponge cloth to create this turtle money box.
Cut the sponge into the shape of a turtle and attach to the bottom of an old plastic bottle. You can attach it with needle and thread (this bit is best done by adults if you're crafting with younger children) or strong glue.
Make a slit in the bottom of the sponge cloth so you can insert coins into the piggy bank.
6. Recycled sci-fi rocket fuelled jet pack
Zoom! This rocket jet pack from Doodle Craft looks impressive but is actually super-easy to make.
Paint two large plastic bottles in a suitable intergalactic shade. Attach to a piece of card and use string, ribbons or webbing to make straps.
The flames are the fun part. Kids can create them from felt, old t-shirts, crepe paper or painted recycled newspaper.
Recycled kids' crafts using card
Fish those old egg cartons, cereal boxes, loo rolls and cardboard boxes out of the recycling bin and let the kids get creative.
7. Recycled toilet roll monsters
Prepare to be scared! These DIY toilet roll monsters will keep kids entertained for hours.
There are so many different varieties for them to make. Any old items you have around the house can be used for decoration, from buttons to bottle tops.
8. Recycled egg carton caterpillars
These cute caterpillars from Creative Green Living are really easy to make. Get the paint, biodegradable glitter and crafting supplies out and let the kids go wild.
If you want some more egg-box inspo, check out these cute recycled egg box flowers and easy egg box ladybirds.
You will need pipe cleaners to create the characteristic antennas. This useful pack of 100 multi-coloured ones will last you for ages and can be used in SO many craft activities. You can get it at Amazon for just £1.75.
9. Recycled art wall
We love this idea from Art Bar blog. Open out a large cardboard box. Gather loads of materials from around the house that would otherwise be thrown away – egg boxes, lollipop sticks, bottle tops…
Then let kids use their imagination to create a huge recycled art wall.
10. Recycled shoebox theatre
Kids will love creating their own theatre from an old shoe box and acting out plays with handmade puppets.
Create puppets by drawing them on card and attaching them to wooden sticks or old pencils. If you want to get really snazzy, try this light-up arctic theatre from craft blog Handmade Charlotte.
11. Recycled toilet roll mobile
Turn your old loo rolls into colourful mobiles by attaching strips of coloured tissue paper or old magazines inside. They'll waft like colourful fish when you hang them near a window.
You will need multi-coloured tissue paper. You can find a variety of colours and quantities on Amazon, but we would recommend opting for this basic one containing 40 pieces in a variety of colours. Get it here at Amazon for £3.29.
12. Recycled toilet roll octopus
Paint a toilet roll in the colour of your choice. When it's dry, draw on a face and cut slits in the bottom to give it eight legs.
Looking for more ways to upcycle toilet rolls? Check out these easy toilet roll crafts.
Recycled kids' crafts using cans
Wash out old cans to create these fab craft ideas for kids. Just make sure the cans you're using don't have sharp edges, first.
13. Recycled tin can drums
Kids will love these easy to make tin can bongos. Your ears, however, might not.
All you need are some old tin cans, balloons and elastic bands.
14. Recycled tin can stilts
Did you have some of these when you were a kid, too?
Take two large tin cans and punch a hole in both sides of each one, using a nail and hammer or drill (this bit's for the adults). Thread string through the holes. Now let the kids loose in the garden.
Recycled kids' crafts using CDs
These cool crafts will give a new lease of life to all those old CDs and DVDs you've been meaning to take to the charity shop.
15. Recycled CD fish
Draw scales on an old CD with a marker pen. Add fins with folded card.
Kids can create a whole school of fish and paint a seascape to stick them to.
16. Recycled CD windspinners
The beauty of CDs is they're just so pretty and shiny.
Grab any crafty decorating bits, from ribbons and chocolate coin wrappers, to buttons, gems and biodegradable glitter. Then let your kids decorate the CDs however they like.
This 750-piece set of gorgeous floral and stone gems will give a sparkling finishing touch that kids (AND adults) will love. Plus, it comes with its own handy organiser. Find it here at Amazon for £3.44.
You can then hang the windspinner CDs in the garden or by the window where they'll spin and catch the light in the breeze. They're great for keeping birds away from your plants, too!
Recycled kids' crafts using paper
Upcycle old newspapers, magazines, wrapping paper, printer paper and even old books with these simple craft ideas for kids.
17. Recycled folded paper bracelets
These are a great craft project for slightly older kids, who'll love giving them to friends. You can use any old paper, from newspaper, books and magazines to the kids' own paintings. Picklebums has step-by-step instructions.
18. Recycled paper mache bowls
Paper mache (papier-mâché) can be a bit messy, but the results are worth it. You'll need old newspaper, flour and water to create these paper mache bowls, and a balloon or old bowl covered in foil to mould them round.
19. Recycled newspaper or book leaf garland
When you paint over newspaper or pages from old books using watercolours or thin paints, you can still see the words for a great textured effect.
Try painting different colours and cutting out shapes to make pretty garlands like this autumnal leaf garland from Red Ted Art. There are loads more autumn craft ideas for kids here, too.
20. Recycled magazine craft collage
Old magazines and comics are great for crafting. Kids can cut out pictures and sections of colour and use them to create artworks and greetings cards.
Recycled kids' crafts using denim and old clothes
Recycle worn-out clothes with these easy DIY craft ideas.
21. Recycled glove monsters
Got some single gloves knocking around? Turn them into these simple but effective monsters from Craftaholics Anonymous. You'll need to do the sewing for younger children but they'll enjoy sticking on buttons and fabric to create faces.
22. Recycled kids' sock puppets
A crafting classic, sock puppets are so easy to make and kids can create plays for them to star in afterwards. Recycle an old cardboard box to make the stage.
If you want to add more characters, check out these easy puppet making ideas for kids.
23. Recycled tie-dye kids' t-shirt
Tie-dye is a great way to make an old t-shirt fun again. There are loads of tutorials and different techniques to try on YouTube.
Just make sure you use rubber gloves and protective sheeting as tie-dying can get messy, particularly with younger kids.
24. Recycled denim photo frame
Use old jeans to cover a plain photo frame like this one from Crafts by Amanda. Kids can then use other scraps of fabric to decorate the frame and put their favourite picture inside it.
Have you got any great recycled craft ideas? Share your thoughts with other parents in the forum below.
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This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.
