5 DIY Crafts That Teach Kids About Recycling

Recycling is an important part of taking care of our planet. It helps reduce waste and conserves resources. Teaching kids about recycling at a young age can help them develop an environmentally conscious mindset that will stay with them throughout their lives. One way to do this is through fun and creative DIY crafts. Here are 5 DIY crafts that teach kids about recycling.

1. Tin Can Wind Chime

Tin cans are a common household item that can be recycled into a beautiful wind chime. To make a tin can wind chime, you will need:- Tin cans- Paint- String or twine- Beads- ScissorsStart by painting the tin cans in your desired colors. Once they are dry, poke a hole in the bottom of each can with a nail or screwdriver. Thread string or twine through the holes and tie a knot at the top of each can. Add beads to the string for decoration. Tie the strings to a stick or dowel to create a hanging wind chime.

Image of tin can wind chime with colorful cans hanging from a branch

2. Egg Carton Caterpillar

Egg cartons are another common household item that can be recycled into a fun and cute caterpillar. To make an egg carton caterpillar, you will need:- Egg carton- Paint- Pipe cleaners- Googly eyes- ScissorsCut out the individual cups from the egg carton. Paint them in your desired colors and let them dry. Poke holes in the sides of each cup and thread pipe cleaners through the holes to connect the cups together. Add googly eyes to the front cup and pipe cleaners for antennae.

Image of colorful egg carton caterpillar with pipe cleaners and googly eyes

3. Newspaper Basket

Newspapers can be recycled into a useful and stylish basket. To make a newspaper basket, you will need:- Newspaper- Glue- ScissorsStart by cutting the newspaper into strips. Fold each strip in half and glue the ends together to create a long strip. Weave the strips together to create a base for the basket. Continue weaving the strips around the base, gluing them together as you go. Once you have reached the desired height, fold over the top edge to create a finished edge.

Image of a newspaper basket with a finished edge made from woven newspaper strips

4. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder

Plastic bottles can be recycled into a bird feeder that will attract birds to your yard. To make a plastic bottle bird feeder, you will need:- Plastic bottle- Paint- String or twine- Scissors- Bird seedStart by painting the plastic bottle in your desired colors. Once it is dry, poke a hole in the bottom of the bottle with a nail or screwdriver. Thread string or twine through the hole and tie a knot at the top of the bottle. Fill the bottle with bird seed and hang it from a tree or post.

Image of a plastic bottle bird feeder with bird seed and string hanging from a tree branch

5. Cardboard Tube Binoculars

Cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towel rolls can be recycled into fun binoculars for kids to play with. To make cardboard tube binoculars, you will need:- Cardboard tubes- Paint- String or twine- ScissorsStart by painting the cardboard tubes in your desired colors. Once they are dry, glue them together side by side. Punch a hole in each side of the tubes and thread string or twine through them to create a strap to hold the binoculars.

Image of cardboard tube binoculars with colorful painted tubes and a string strap

Teaching kids about recycling can be fun and creative with these 5 DIY crafts. By using common household items that can be recycled, kids can learn about the importance of taking care of our planet while using their imagination and creativity.