Ready to turn your recycling bin into a treasure trove of creativity? Upcycled crafts are the perfect way to keep kids entertained, spark their imagination, and teach them the value of reusing materials. From cereal boxes to mason jar lids, the possibilities are endless when you start looking at “trash” with an artistic eye.
In this post, I am sharing fun and easy upcycled crafts for kids that are not only budget-friendly, but also earth-friendly. Whether you’re looking for a rainy day project or a weekend activity these ideas will inspire your little ones to transform ordinary items into something extraordinary. Let’s dive in and get crafting.
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What Makes a Craft “Upcycled”?
An upcycled craft takes discarded, old, or unused items and transforms them into something new, functional, or decorative—often giving them more value than they had in their original form. Unlike recycling, which typically breaks materials down into raw components, upcycling preserves the material’s structure while creatively repurposing it. Some of the key components of upcycled crafts include the following:
- Repurposed Materials
- Creative Transformation
- Eco-Friendly Approach
- Unique & Personalized
- Budget-Friendly
Upcycled crafts are a fun and meaningful way to teach kids creativity, resourcefulness, and environmental responsibility—all while making something amazing!
Things Kids Can Learn from Creating Upcycled Crafts
Creating upcycled crafts is so much more than just a fun activity for kids. It’s a hands-on way to teach life skills, foster creativity, and nurture a deeper understanding of the world around them. As a parent, I’ve watched my kids turn everyday “trash” into treasures, and I’m always amazed at how much they learn in the process. Here are some of the things children can gain from creating upcycled crafts:
- Creativity – Turning “trash” into treasure teaches kids to think outside the box and see potential in everyday items.
- Problem-Solving – Kids tackle challenges like figuring out how to build, attach, or transform materials boosting critical thinking.
- Environmental Awareness – By repurposing items, they learn about sustainability and how small actions can help the planet.
- Patience and Perseverance – Crafting with unconventional materials builds patience and rewards persistence when projects are tricky.
- Resourcefulness – Kids learn to use what’s available, finding value in things others might discard.
- Teamwork – Working on crafts together fosters collaboration, communication, and sharing ideas.
- Gratitude – Creating something with their own hands helps kids appreciate simplicity and feel proud of their work.
Fun & Easy Upcycled Crafts for Kids Idea List
This list of fun and easy upcycled crafts for kids is packed with budget-friendly ideas that transform everyday items into masterpieces.
1 – Paper Plate Caterpillar
A paper plate caterpillar is an adorable craft where kids cut a paper plate into a caterpillar. Get creative and decorate your caterpillar any way you like—don’t forget to add googly eyes for extra charm! For a helpful guide, you can download a free template [here].
2 – Apple Stamping Craft
Apple stamping is a fun and simple craft where kids use halved apples as stamps to create unique art. Dip the flat side of the apple into paint, then press it onto paper to make colorful apple-shaped prints. It’s a great way to explore textures, patterns, and seasonal creativity while using something from the kitchen. Use those apples that go bad to make a craft instead.
3 – Egg Carton Turtles
Egg carton turtles are made by cutting and painting sections of an egg carton to form the turtle’s body and shell. Add googly eyes, a painted face, and pipe cleaner legs to bring your adorable turtle to life.
4 – Paper Tulip Straw Craft
Create a vibrant paper flower by cutting a tulip from colored paper and attaching it to a straw for the stem. This easy craft is perfect for adding a fun, floral touch to any project or decoration.
5 – Butterfly Filter Craft
A butterfly coffee filter craft involves coloring a coffee filter with markers, then folding and pinching it in the middle to create wings. Add pipe cleaners for antennae to complete this simple and colorful butterfly craft.
6 – Yarn Wrapped Monster Pencil Holders
Yarn-wrapped monster pencil holders are made by wrapping colorful yarn around a recycled can, creating a fun and textured surface. Add googly eyes, a monster mouth, and other decorations to turn it into a playful and functional desk accessory.
7 – Butterfly Toilet Paper Roll
Transform a toilet paper roll into a butterfly by painting it and attaching colorful paper wings. You could add pipe cleaners for antennae to complete this fun and easy craft.
8 – Bouncy Toilet Paper Roll Flower Craft
Create a bouncy flower by decorating a toilet paper roll and cutting it into strips to form petals. Attach a springy pipe cleaner as the stem, and watch the flower bounce when gently tapped.
9 – Egg Carton Bugs
Turn an egg carton into a cute bug craft by cutting and painting the individual cups to resemble insect bodies. Add googly eyes, pipe cleaner legs, and antennae to complete your colorful bug creations. Start saving those egg cartons.
10 – CD Scratch Art
CD scratch art involves using a wooden stick or other pointed tool to scratch designs onto an old CD, revealing colorful patterns beneath the shiny surface. It’s a fun way to repurpose old discs and create vibrant, unique artwork.
11 – Homemade Stamps with Toilet Paper Rolls
Make a homemade stamp by shaping the end of a toilet paper roll into a fun pattern, like a star or heart, and dipping it in paint. Press it onto paper to create unique stamped designs.
12 – Balloon Rockets
Balloon rockets are a fun, hands-on activity where a balloon is inflated and then attached to a straw on a string. When released, the air rushing out of the balloon propels it along the string, mimicking a rocket in flight.
13 – Paper Plate Sponge Turkey
Create a fun turkey by decorating a paper plate as the feathers with a sponge and some paint. Add the body to complete this festive craft. Download the template here.
14 – Sock Snake Stuffies
No-sew sock snake stuffies are made by filling an old sock with stuffing, then tying the end to create the snake’s body. Add googly eyes and a felt tongue to bring your cuddly, colorful snake to life without the need for any sewing.
15 – Coffee Filter Turkey
Make a turkey by coloring a coffee filter with markers, then folding it into a fan shape for the tail. Attach a paper body, beak, and googly eyes to complete this colorful, fun craft. Download the template for free here.
16 – 4th of July Pipe Cleaner Fireworks
Make these fun fireworks for 4th of July. This easy DIY pipe cleaner fireworks craft lets kids twist colorful pipe cleaners into sparkly, starburst shapes for a fun 4th of July decoration. It’s a simple, hands-on way to celebrate with creativity and festive flair.
17 – Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree
Create a festive popsicle stick Christmas tree by gluing the sticks in a triangle shape and decorating with paint, buttons, or glitter. Add a star on top to complete this fun and easy holiday craft.
18 – Bottle Cap Snowman Craft
Create a cute snowman by stacking bottle caps and gluing them together to form the body. Add a tiny hat, scarf, and googly eyes for a fun and festive winter craft.
19 – Inchworm Sock Project
The cute inchworm sock project involves transforming an old sock into a playful inchworm by filling it with stuffing and securing the ends to create its body. Add googly eyes and a felt tongue to complete the fun and easy craft.
20 – Snowflake Toilet Paper Roll Craft
Turn a toilet paper roll into a snowflake by cutting it into small segments and arranging them in a star shape. Decorate with glitter, paint, or beads for a simple, wintery craft.
21 – Santa Paintbrush Craft
Create a Santa craft by using the bristles of a paintbrush as his beard, then paint the handle red for his hat. Add a pom-pom nose, googly eyes, and a festive touch to complete this fun holiday craft.
22 – Valentine’s Day Shoebox
Transform a shoe box into a Valentine’s Day mailbox by decorating it with colorful paper, stickers, and hearts. Cut a slit in the top to drop in cards and treats for a fun and personalized way to collect Valentine’s.
23 – Water Bottle Penguins
Water bottle penguins are made by filling a water bottle with cotton balls to resemble a penguin’s body. Add a small orange paper beak, feet, and googly eyes to complete this adorable and simple craft.
24 – Tape Nature Bracelet
Create a fun nature bracelet by wrapping a strip of tape around your wrist, sticky side out, and attaching small flowers, leaves, or seeds you find outside. It’s a quick and easy way to make a wearable piece of nature art.
25 – Simple DIY Art Display Wall
Upcycle a display wall. Create a simple and affordable kids artwork display wall by hanging string or wire across a wall and using clothespins to clip up their masterpieces. This easy setup allows you to showcase their creativity while keeping the display fresh and rotating.
26 – Rock Painting
Rock painting is a fun craft where kids paint designs, animals, or messages on smooth stones, turning them into unique pieces of art. It’s a form of upcycling because it repurposes natural, found objects—rocks that might otherwise be overlooked—into colorful, decorative items. This creative activity also encourages resourcefulness, as it uses items that don’t require buying new materials.
27 – Sensory Bottles with Liquid Soap
Sensory bottles with liquid soap are created by filling a clear bottle with liquid soap and adding colorful items like glitter, beads, or small toys. When shaken, the soap and objects create a calming, swirling effect, perfect for sensory exploration and relaxation.
28 – Paper Mache Balloons
Paper Mache balloons involves covering a balloon with layers of paper strips soaked in a glue and water mixture to create a sturdy, sculpted shell. Once dry, the balloon is popped and removed, leaving behind a hollow, moldable shape that can be painted or decorated. This fun craft is perfect for creating unique bowls, masks, or other decorative items.
29 – Painting with Balloons
Balloon painting involves dipping a balloon in paint and gently pressing it onto paper to create fun, textured prints. It’s a playful and unique way to explore colors and patterns, perfect for kids of all ages.
30 – Popsicle Stick Airplane
A popsicle stick airplane is made by gluing popsicle sticks together to form the body and wings of an airplane. Kids can decorate it with paint, markers, or stickers to create a custom, flying-inspired craft.
31 – Cotton Ball Ghost
Create an adorable Halloween cotton ball ghost by gluing cotton balls onto a template to form the body. Add eyes and a mouth for the finishing touches. Use the free template to easily assemble your spooky ghost.
32 – Q-Tip Painting
Q-tip painting is a fun and simple art activity where kids use cotton swabs (Q-tips) as brushes to create designs or paint pictures. By dipping the Q-tip in paint, they can make fine details or textured patterns, making it a great way to explore different techniques and improve hand-eye coordination.
It’s perfect for all ages and a creative alternative to traditional painting brushes. You can check out my Q-tip templates which include Christmas and preschool.
Which upcycled craft for kids is your favorite?
Upcycled crafts have been such a fun and rewarding way to get my kids involved in hands-on creativity, and I’ve seen firsthand how much they love turning “trash” into treasure. Whether it’s a cereal box transformed into a sturdy robot or a plastic bottle turned into a flower vase, these crafts not only keep them entertained but also spark their imagination. What I love most is that each project teaches them the value of reusing and repurposing materials, while also helping to reduce waste in a simple and creative way.
These activities have become a go-to for our family, especially on rainy days or weekends when we want to get crafty together. Not only do we enjoy making something new, but we also get to talk about the importance of being resourceful and caring for our planet. So, the next time you’re about to throw something away, take a moment to think about the possibilities—it might just be the perfect starting point for a fun craft. Keep exploring, crafting, and upcycling with your kids—it’s a great way to create lasting memories and make the world a little greener at the same time.
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