Parents don’t throw away your empty egg cartons or glass jars. You can upcycle these items to be used for creating fun DIY craft projects that your kids will love to make. Upcycling items into craft projects will teach kids how to be both earth-friendly and creative with little cost involved. These upcycled DIY craft projects are also fun activities for a sleepover or birthday party.
Cereal Box Notebook
Kids can use these fun cereal box notebooks to draw pictures in or use as a diary. Another fun idea for kids is to turn their notebook into a mini photo album filled with pictures they cherish.
Supplies:
- Paper punch
- Cereal boxes
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Ruler
Directions:
- Cut open your cereal boxes so that they lay flat.
- On the inside of the box, measure and trace the desired size of your notebook. Cut these pieces out.
- Put all your cut cereal box pieces together. Punch three holes evenly spaced down the left size of your pieces.
- Hold your notebook together by tying pieces of yarn through the holes you just made.
Decorated Box Organizer
Kids will love these homemade box organizers to help them organize their toys, clothes or homework.
Supplies:
- Cardboard boxes
- Wrapping paper or fabric
- Scissors
- Glue
Directions:
- Gather a few boxes of various sizes. Cut the flaps off of the boxes.
- Have your kids decorate the boxes with fabric or wrapping paper glued on both the inside and outside of each box.
- Once all the boxes are covered, stack them so that they fit together against a wall or shelve.
Paper Towel Napkin Holders
Your kids can have fun designing a set of napkin holders for each holiday or any special occasion.
Supplies:
- Scissors
- Embellishments
- Glue
- Paper towel cardboard tube
Directions:
- Cut your paper towel tube into two inch sections.
- Have the kids decorate them with beads, ribbons or buttons. The kids could also use markers and glitter to decorate them.
Bottle Cap Magnets
You could also make personalized magnets by cutting, fitting and gluing mini pictures of the family or animals to the inside of the bottle caps.
Supplies:
- Bottle caps
- Self stick magnets
- Beads
- Scissors
- Glitter
- Glue
Directions:
- Lay out your bottle caps on a covered work area.
- The kids can glue beads from upcycled jewelry or any trinket to the inside of the caps. Glue a magnet on the bottle cap top.
- Cover the entire cap with glue. Sprinkle the entire cap with glitter. Gently shake the cap to remove the excess glitter. Glue a magnet on the bottle cap top.
Jar Pencil Holder
There are a multitude of other ways kids can use their decorated jars. The jars can be used as a piggy bank or filled with potpourri to beautifully scent their room.
Supplies:
- Glass jar
- Stickers
- Ribbon
- Glue
Directions:
- Save all your glass jars. Wash them inside and out. Also, remove any stickers that remain on the jars.
- Have the kids choose their stickers. They can use one of the stickers to decorate the front of their jar. Another option is to cover the entire jar with stickers to form a collage designed jar.
- Glue a piece of ribbon around the rim of the jar.
- Fill your homemade pencil holder with pens, makers and pencils.
Egg Carton Jewelry Box
Kids can also use their decorated egg cartons to organize their beads or other craft supplies.
Supplies:
- Egg carton
- Scissors
- Acrylic paint
- Old necklaces
- Glue
Directions:
- Place your egg carton on a covered work area.
- Have the kids paint both the inside and outside of their egg carton.
- Cut any old necklaces or bracelets you no longer wear.
- With supervision, have the kids glue these upcycled beads around the outside edges of the carton.
Image Credits: RubbishLove22, RedPlum, Curbly, Celebrations &BInsipiredMama
Jeremy enjoys sharing new ways to save money. He writes about this topic on behalf of Easy Appliance Parts. They are an online resource that aids homeowners with their home repairs and retailer of appliance parts.
