Today marks the start of a new series in this column -- weekly green craft round-ups!
Today's crafts all involve recycling and repurposing materials in fun new ways. Most of these are very child-friendly but they should be fun for all ages.
Tin Can Windsocks: All you need for this whimsical outdoor art is a tin can, paint, a drill, twine and ribbon. Under the Table and Dreaming has all the directions.
Mini Notebooks: Everybody has cardboard, and this cute little craft finds something fun to do with it to keep it out of the recycling bin. Simply cut up cereal or cracker boxes, staple together with some paper and assemble these cute little mini notebooks, with a rubber band and tiny pencil (optional) to finish them up. Head over to Family Economics for the instructions.
Hand Puppets from Stuffed Animals: Our family has been making these easy puppets from unwanted stuffed animals for years. This is a wonderful way to repurpose those millions of stuffed animals that children seem to accumulate. Save the stuffing for other uses, like stuffing sachets, pincushions, small pillows and handmade ornaments. I have the instructions here.
Make a Furoshiki to Wrap Gifts: Japan's Minister of the Environment gives us this tutorial on how to use a simple square of fabric to wrap any shape of gift into a delightful package or carrier. This is the ultimate easy green craft, requiring absolutely nothing but a square of cloth that can be reused again and again.
Where to find materials: Look around your house for most, since all of these require next to nothing that you should need to purchase. Check thrift stores for other items you need. In Mankato, the MRCI thrift store is a great source of crafting materials like fabrics and paints. Also be creative. For fabric for a furoshiki, for instance, repurpose a stained tablecloth or baby blanket. You can also ask on Freecycle for items like old stuffed animals, since many people have more than they want!
See also:
How to make avocado pit pendants
Leaf crowns to nature potions: Green children's crafts to try today
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