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Tin can planters and water bottle fishes are only a few unique ideas on our list.
Crafts are always fun to try with your kids — especially when you rely on crafting supplies straight from your recycling bin. In light of Earth Day (and love for our planet), we're sharing our favorite recycled crafts for kids that are simple, unique and great for keeping your kids entertained at home.
Our DIY ideas range from egg carton flowers and cork bottle bugs to water bottle fishes and bird feeders made of toilet paper rolls, which are perfect for inspiring your child's creativity and teaching them about climate change (and how to make a positive impact on our environment). And don't worry about blowing your budget on craft supplies. The materials needed are versatile, with glass, plastic and cardboard being a few pieces you can purchase for less or find around the house (great for showing your little ones how important it is to make responsible choices about products they buy daily). So if you're looking for something fun to do on April 22 with your kids, choose one (or even two) of these crafts from our list. Plus, be sure to check out our best Earth Day quotes for eco-friendly inspiration.
These paper flowers are so colorful and fun to make. Download these templates before following the steps below to make them (in multiple, sizes, shapes and colors).
Turn a dumpster-bound window frame into an entryway organizer. Have your kids help you paint the frame in their preferred color before DIYing unique ways to make it functional, including adding small hooks for keys and compact accessories.
These colorful flowers will last longer than real ones — and only a few materials are required (egg cartons included).
Your little ones will have so much fun making paper flowers to spruce up their room. To make, have them fold dyed cupcake liners in half and cut out petal and fringe shapes. Then fold a piece of floral wire in half and twist around the faux flower stamen. Poke the wire through the center of three to four paper liners. Finish it off by wrapping floral tape around the base of the liners and bringing it all the way down the stem.
Let your kids search through the recycling pile for materials to make their own robots. Cardboard, tissue paper rolls, canisters and containers can all be added to a pile so they can pick their preferred robot parts.
Get the tutorial at My Mommy Style »
Spring is a beautiful time to go birdwatching. Bring the birds to your backyard with a DIY bird feeder.
Get the tutorial at Craftaholics Anonymous »
After turning a regular tin can into a silly-faced planter, show your kids how to grow and care for their own succulents.
Get the tutorial at Tried and True Creative »
Gather the stash of bottle caps you've been saving and invite your kids to DIY their version of a horse. You can also purchase caps if you don't have enough to complete this project.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »
If the zoo is your child's favorite place, bring the animals right to them! Your little one can make their very own mini and tall giraffes with an assortment of wine corks.
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas »
These unique earth-shaped crayons can be made using a round silicone mould or a metal muffin tin. Along with being a fun Earth Day craft, they also make cute gifts.
Get the tutorial at Emma Owl »
Believe it or not, this rocket was made with a finished bottle of apple juice. You can use any bottles of juice, water or soda in the house and give kids the freedom to transform them into rockets.
Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards »
These mini banjos can be made in less than 10 minutes. Although their sound is on the soft side, they're still cute crafts for kids to try.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Train »
Instead of discarding your pack of water bottles when they're finished, your kids can turn them into colorful flowers using pom poms, construction paper and straws.
Get the tutorial at Kid Friendly Things To Do »
Develop your child's green thumb early on with this DIY terrarium made from paper and a plastic cup.
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas »
You and your kids can make wind chimes using tin cans and washers. Try different sizes of washers and tin cans to experiment with a variety of sounds.
Get the tutorial at Hands on as We Grow »
Show the Earth your appreciation with these adorable cork love bugs. From coloring the corks to glueing on the googly-eyes, your kids will enjoy every step of this craft.
Get the tutorial at No Time for Flashcards »
As warmer weather approaches, this wreath makes a cute decoration for the home. You can swap out the green color of the crepe paper for your kids' favorites.
Get the tutorial at Persia Lou »
After they clean out their yogurt cups, they can easily be turned into their favorite zoo animals — from bears and elephants to monkeys and giraffes.
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas »
Teach your kids all about ocean life by teaching them how to make their own little fishies with simple water bottles. Use both standard size and smaller bottles to mix things up.
Get the tutorial at Meaningful Mama »
Save your tissue boxes so your kids can turn them into planters. Wrapping twine around the box makes a unique design, while keeping it sturdy enough to hold their succulents.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft »
These adorable little boxes feature three-dimensional flowers on top, making them cute items to display or gift.
Get the tutorial at Persia Lou »
This craft is the perfect DIY idea for spring and Earth Day. While toilet paper rolls are used to make the frogs, lily pads are made using paper plates.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
For this craft, you'll need self-adhesive laminating sheets, tissue paper, double-sided tape and an Earth-shaped template.
Get the tutorial and template at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Your kids can help you turn your shredded paper into plantable seed paper. After making the recycled paper, use them for DIY Earth Day cards to display or hand out.
Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade »
Your kids will love every moment of sprucing up their study room by creating and displaying these toilet paper crayons. They also make adorable pencil and pen holders.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids »
Your kids can make various sizes of cardboard suns to scatter around the house. They can hang a larger piece in their room to commemorate Earth Day and their love for warmer weather.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »
This mosaic earth can be made using construction paper. Using recycled magazines instead is a great way to get the eco-friendly message across to your kids.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »
Your milk cartons and juice boxes don't have to be discarded just yet. Help your kids turn them into birdhouses and feeders to attract those birdies you always hear but never see.
Get the tutorial at Happiness is Homemade »
Help your kids identify the earth's lands and oceans by using paper plates and tissue paper to replicate the planet.
Get the tutorial at Sunshine Whispers »
They'll need two paper plates for this entertaining aquarium porthole craft. The wiggly eyes and neon fuzzy sticks are used to make the fish and aquatic plants.
Get the tutorial at Craft Project Ideas »