Cardboard Box Bird Feeder

A cardboard box is decorated with wrapping paper and then stuffed with popcorn to make an easy upcycled bird feeder.  Maros kindergarten cuts a door in the box so the birds can stand and eat the popcorn and hangs it from the tree with yarn. 

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://maros-kindergarten.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-post_31.html

Jello Playdough

In this recipe Jello doesn't just give playdough its color but also a great scent.  Playdough recipe shares the ingredients.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.playdoughrecipe.org/playdough-recipes/jello-playdough-recipe/

Bead Bookmarks

Very simple and pretty, beads are strung onto a matching color ribbon and tied into a bow at the end to make a beautiful bookmark.  To make the part that goes into the book use flat long beads such as shown below.

Flower Glass Decorated Vase

Glass vase beads are used outside of the vase to make an ordinary vase a bit more interesting. 

Paper Plate Purse

You will need:
- Paper plates
- Staples
- Ribbon
- Decorations (markers, stickers, sequins...)

1. Put two plates together and cut in half.
2. Then cut two of the pieces in half again.  You should have two halves and four quarter pieces.
3. Hold the two halves together so the front pieces are facing inwards.
4. Do the same for the quarter pieces and slip inside or outside the bag so it has a scalloped top and staple the corners together.
5. Attach a strap of beads or ribbon for the handle into the corners and staple to secure.
6. Staple the rest of the plate together.
7. Decorate the bag.

This tutorial first appeared on jellyfish jelly which unfortunately is no longer available.

Lip Gloss Necklaces

You know those machines stores seem to always have in their tiny vestibules filled with trinkets kids can buy for 25 cents and all of the trinkets come in a little plastic bubble?  Well not so idle hands has found a really unique way to upcycle those containers.  She makes lip gloss out of Vaseline and Kool-Aid and then stuffs it into the containers.  To make them even more special she decorates the containers with stickers and ties them to a beaded chain for her girls to wear.

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://notsoidlehands.com/2009/08/freecycle-friday-luscious-lips-for-the-kids-too.html

Wood Spoon Puppets

Wood spoons are dressed up with fabric and yarn and of course googly eyes to make people puppets with free kids crafts.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/wooden-spoon-puppets/

Crafting connections makes spoon faces and even creates a cardboard theater.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftingconnections.net/the-blog/diy-puppet-theater/

Emma owl adds a fabric dress with a ribbon on the top.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.emmaowl.com/make-mom-wooden-spoon-puppets/

Paper Plate Turtles

Busy bee kids craft shows how to make a super cute preschool turtle craft making a mosaic using a paper plate, construction paper and pretty polished stones.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.busybeekidscrafts.com/Turtle-Mosaic.html 

Because i said so and other mommyisms uses cut squares of green tissue paper and glues them onto a plate to make the tortoise shell.  She then adds construction paper legs, head and tale and googly eyes to give it a face.

Get the instructions here:

http://becauseisaidsoandothermommyisms.blogspot.com/2011/03/yertle-turtle-craft.html

 

 

 

Partially perfection uses half of a plate and decorates it with squares of scrapbooking paper.

 

Get the instructions here:

http://www.partiallyperfection.com/paper-plate-turtles/

Flower Mask

A simple plastic mask is decorated with flowers and ribbons to jazz it up.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.bhg.com/crafts/kids/rainy-day/fun-crafts-to-make-with-your-kids/#page=4

Foil Glue Drawings

Glue is squeezed onto aluminum foil to make a nifty pattern and let to dry completely before another piece of foil is placed on top.  Next, a q-tip is used to outline the glue patterns creating an indentation in the foil.   A dull pencil can be used to add additional details.  To make the project even more dramatic use black shoe polish over the entire work with a sponge.  Art club blog shares the details for this really nifty project.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://artclubblog.com/2012/02/01/foil-drawings/ 

Painted Rocks Mosaic

Pebbles are painted solid colors to use for building a mosaic.  After the picture is formed the rocks are glued onto paper.  Education.com shares the details.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.education.com/activity/article/painted-rock-mosaic/?cid=90.002

Egg Carton Butterfly

The top of an egg carton is cut out to a butterfly shape using the indent as it's base and the panels as wings with craftoart.  She then paints and decorates the carton.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.craftoart.com/2011/11/kids-craft-styrofoam-egg-carton.html

Looledo uses the entire egg carton as the body and adds paper wings and pipe cleaner antennae and legs.

The site is no longer available.

Velcro Building Sticks

Velcro is glued onto popsicle sticks and bottle caps of varying sizes to make a unique building tool with 4 herreras.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://4herreras.blogspot.com/2011/09/velcro-craft-sticks-and-bottle-lidsoh.html

Birds' Nest Kits

Help out a bird this spring by providing supplies it might need and want in her nest.  Use a mesh bag to hold various items such as small twigs, hay, yarn, cotton and whatever else you can find and place it in a tree for the birds to access and take what they like.  We made that shares the details.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://we-made-that.com/bird-nest-kit/

String Art

An interesting variant from lacing cards, cindy derosier creates flower cards with scalloped edges and has kids wrap the yarn around the cards in different forms and patterns.  She calls this spirelli.

Good for ages 3 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2012/03/spirelli.html

Toilet Paper Roll Paper Dolls

Toilet paper rolls are turned into costumes for a new twist on paper dolls from a little learning for two.  She makes smaller size roll face insertions with different emotions to slip inside.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://alittlelearningfortwo.blogspot.com/2011/03/changing-faces-toilet-roll-dolls.html

Life over cs uses wrapping paper and cupcake liners.

Get the instructions here:
http://lifeovercs.com/toilet-paper-roll-friends-getting-crafty-link-up/

Rice Paper Charm Bracelet

Beautiful rice paper is cut into circles, rectangles and squares and glued to make charms with carolyns homework.  Next she cuts holes into them and strings them onto a ribbon to make a pretty charm bracelet.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.carolynshomework.com/2012/03/accessories-paper-and-mod-podge-charm.html

Origami Turtles

Fun patterned green origami paper is folded into a turtle shape with free kids crafts.  She even adds googly eyes to show the face.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/origami-turtle/

Egg Shell Jewelry Box

Egg shells get smashed into tiny bits and pieces and glued to a box to make a really unique jewelry box with all free crafts. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.allfreecrafts.com/homemade-gifts/decoupage/eggshell-box/

Shower Liner Coloring Mat

A shower curtain turns into a huge canvas for kids to color and draw on.  Buy them in bulk at the dollar store and let the kids color it in.  Filth wizardry shares the details.

Good for ages 1 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.filthwizardry.com/2009/02/shower-curtain-village-play-mat.html

Stripy Seahorse

Strips of colorful patterned scrapbooking paper are cut out and glued to a paper seahorse to make this vibrant ocean creature with cindy derosier.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2014/08/the-cursive-project-seahorse.html

Paper Doll Garland

A paper chain of dolls is cut is decorated with everything from face to clothes with tea wagon tales.  Note she does not provide a template.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://teawagontales.blogspot.com/2015/02/tutorial-happy-people-banner.html

Bungee Cord Bracelets

Bungee cords make a simple colorful bracelet.  All you need is scissors and glue.  I spy diy shares the details.

Good for ages 7 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://ispydiy.com/my-diy-bungee-cord-bracelets/

Rolls of Paper Sculptures

Colorful paper is rolled up and glued to a square of cardboard to make a nifty looking sculpture with art actually.  She uses different sized paper to give the sculpture three dimensions.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://art-actually.blogspot.com.es/2012/01/paper-sculptures.html

Toilet Paper Roll Wreath

Toilet paper rolls are cut into one inch strips, folded to make a leaf shape and glued into a wreath.

Good for ages 9 and up.

Paper Plate Fish

A colorful paper plate is turned into a fish with strips of colorful paper to make nifty looking stripes.  Next add a paper tail, fins and gills.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Paper Bowl Turtles

Colorful paper bowls are colored to make tortoise shells and then given legs and a turtle face to make a cute little turtle.

Good for ages  8 and up.

About.com creates their turtle with a green paper bowl as its shell.

Get the instructions here:

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/turtlecrafts/ss/Turtle-Bowl-Craft.htm

Crafty crafted makes turtles out of a plastic bowl, cut out shapes, foam heads and feet and glue to put all of little parts.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.crafty-crafted.com/category/animal-crafts/turtle/

Paper Plate Compass

A paper plate, wooden dowels, string, a needle and a magnet come together to make a nifty hanging compass. 

The first step is to magnetize your needle.  Lay the needle on the table and then place the magnet on top.  The needle will want to jump to the magnet.  Next, slide the magnet in one direction only along the needle.  Make sure to apply some pressure to the magnet as you slide it along the needle all the way past the end.  Lift the magnet up and away from the needle.  Bring it around and start over again and again.  This needs to be done about 50 times to ensure it's properly magnetized.  Test to see if it's magnetized by touching it to another metal object, such as a paperclip.  If it sticks you're ready to make the compass, if not keep rubbing it against the magnet. 

Once the needle is magnetized, punch four small, evenly spaced holes onto a paper plate, and stick in the wooden dowels and tape them together at the top.  Then, tie a piece of thread to the needle and hang it down so the needle hangs above the plate, but doesn't touch it.  The needle needs to be level over the plate.  This is the tricky part.  Now it should spin around and move towards north. 

Plastic Jellyfish

A plastic bottle is cut from its rounded side to make this nifty jellyfish.  After cutting out the head, tape on long strings of bubble wrap for the tentacles.  You can also use cut out strips from a clear plastic bag.  Stuff the head with white cotton to give it definition.  Next, glue on paper eyes and add a long string so the jelly can hang down so he can swim in the wind.

You can also make a big jellyfish mobile. 

Toilet Paper Roll Airplane

A toilet paper roll is the base for this cardboard constructed airplane.

To make the plane you'll need:

- a toilet paper tube
- a cardboard box
- masking tape

Good for ages 9 and up.

This site is no longer available.

Upcycled Tin Foil Robots

Kids will have fun making a trash bot.  The first step is the most fun, finding different parts and pieces to include.  They can use anything they want.  Tell them to find items such as old boxes, cans, plastic containers, paper towel rolls, cartons, bottle caps, string, and packaging material and most important their imagination.  

You'll also need tape and glue.

Remember, the trash bot doesn't have to be perfect.  He doesn't need to have an arm, leg, head or even an eye.  Anyway he's made is great.  

Cereal boxes and toilet paper tubes are wrapped in tin foil and decorated with colorful plastic lids and caps to make a robot.  Kids activity blog shares the details. 

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://kidsactivitiesblog.com/64846/recycled-crafts-cereal-box-robot

Minion Finger Puppets

Minion figures are drawn onto the fingers of yellow activity gloves and cut off to make finger puppets.  Paging fun mums shares the details.

Good for ages 8 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://pagingfunmums.com/2013/06/25/despicable-me-minion-finger-puppets-includes-easy-video-tutorial/

DIY Ring Dish

A wooden dowel and bowl are painted and glued together to make a very simple ring dish with everyday dishes.

Good for ages 65 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://everydaydishes.com/creative-crafts/ring-dish/

Homemade Color Rocks

Give kids a new sensory experience using rock salt, food coloring and glue from kids play box.  Kids can mold it into pretty looking crystals.

Good for ages 2 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.kidsplaybox.com/play-recipe-homemade-rocks-gems/

Monogrammed Mugs

Letter stencils and sharpie markers turn an ordinary mug into a personalized monogrammed mug with organized 31.

Good for ages 6 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://organized31.com/2015/01/easy-sharpie-dot-mug.html

Fabric Bookends

Styrofoam blocks are wrapped in fabric to make super simple bookends from chica circle 

Good for ages 5 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://club.chicacircle.com/easy-homemade-fabric-wrapped-bookends/

Dr. Seuss Temporary Tattoos

Check out this free printable of Dr. Seuss temporary tattoos including hats for the cat, Lorax mustaches, green eggs and ham and more from simply kelly designs.

Get the template here:
http://simplykellydesigns.com/blog/2015/01/20/diy-dr-seuss-temporary-tattoos/

Princess Scepter

Tin foil crumbled into a ball, bedazzled with colorful foil stickers and stuck onto a wooden dowel to make a royal scepter with cindy derosier.  She next adds pretty strips of ribbon to give it even more flair.

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.cindyderosier.com/2015/02/decoden-princess-scepter.html

Cupcake Liner Octopus

A purple cupcake liner is flattened and glued to a blue paper sea to make the head of an octopus with i heart crafty things.  She next adds eight strips of purple paper and decorates them with Cheerios. 

Good for ages 4 and up.

Get the instructions here:
http://www.iheartcraftythings.com/2015/02/cupcake-liner-octopus-kids-craft.html