Crafting with kids is a great way to get them creative on a lazy afternoon at home, and using recycled materials not only saves you money but also teaches your kids the value of reusing and recycling.
Next time you’re in the mood to get crafty with your family, try out these great projects using recycled food packaging to show your kids that reusing can be fun.
Classic Tin Can Phone
Most of us have at least one cherished childhood memory involving summer afternoons, siblings, and tin can telephones.
Want to share some nostalgic, feel-good moments with your kids, but can’t remember how to put together a makeshift phone? By Joel We’ve got you covered.
Created by a designer, artist, and father of two Useful tutorialsIt’s packed with tips, photos, and all the information you need to keep your canning traditions alive.
Note: Feel free to make a spare phone, I’m sure you’ll want to play with it yourself!
Plastic Bottle Bowling Game
For hours of fun using recycled materials, why not create some games that can be played using disposable items you already have around the house?
Made from recycled plastic bottles, this bowling pin takes very little effort to assemble, and your kids will have fun bowling on lazy afternoons to come.
For creative moms Ucreate tutorials To see how it’s made.

Egg carton boat
This adorable Egg Carton Boat Tutorial from Life at the zoo Perfect for little ones, it will provide hours of imaginative play.
All your kids need is a few simple materials and a little creativity. This is a fun project that will teach them that it’s okay to play with trash sometimes.

Tin Can Stilts
For more nostalgic family fun, it’s hard to beat tin can stilts.
These old-fashioned classics are easy to put together and will keep your little one smiling for hours.
For a refresher course on stilt making, see here Step-by-step tutorial From blog Anna Diengel, mom, furniture designer, and crafts expert Bubble Double Do.

Bottle Cap Memory Game
This fun matching game East Coast Mommy Blogger Gina Bell helps kids learn numbers and hone their critical thinking skills.
Plus, the project is made entirely from recycled bottle caps, so it didn’t cost you a cent.
Check out Bells for tips and instructions. tutorial At East Coast Mommy.

Cereal Box Pinata
Whether it’s an upcoming birthday party or just a sunny afternoon outside, this cereal box pinata is sure to please the whole family.
This colorful piñata may look expensive at first glance, but blogger Chelsea Costa made it almost entirely from recycled materials: She used empty cereal boxes, scraps of other cardboard packaging, and leftover tissue paper.
There’s plenty of recycled items to enjoy under the sun, so Costa Guest Posting Tutorial in The sweetest occasion Check out our tips, step-by-step instructions, photos and more.

Tin Can Bongo Drum
Grab some cans from the recycling bin and enjoy a musical afternoon with Kate Petty’s creative projects. Mini Eco.
Add in a few repurposed materials, like stale rice or old balloons, and your discarded tin can becomes a musical instrument that inspires creative play.
This simple tutorial Follow the instructions and start making music with your disposable instruments!

Wall Organizer
The trays in which meat and some vegetables are sold will not end up in the bin with other styrofoam and textile packaging. Dipley suggests Turn these trays into wall organizers. The trays come in different sizes so you can mix and match different sizes to hold mail, nails, pens, pins, and more.
Wash the trays thoroughly and focus your kids’ energy on decorating the organizers with pictures and labels. Getting your kids to think about organization now will help them organize the complex issues they’ll face as adults later.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on April 2, 2013 and updated with new ideas in July 2024. Featured Image: Gustavo Fring From Pexels.