… to all of you out there. I’ve been putting off the blog yet again, I apologize. I don’t even have a good excuse seeing as I’m ignoring all my homework as well… Anyway, in honor of Earth Day I thought I should post some of the creative ideas I’ve come across to upcycle and reuse trash to make other things. My hope is that some of these projects are easy, fun, and low-cost ideas for children. I thank all of the people whose blogs I’m sharing in advance for their creative ideas.
http://bhoomplay.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/diy_jellyfish_eng/
This is an adorable project where you make a “swimming” jelly fish with a plastic bag, bottle, water, and dye.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Designer-vases-from-used-coffee-cups/?ALLSTEPS
Cool idea of using plastic spoons to make flowers, however, the melting process makes this an older age activity for sure. I wish there was something like this for younger kids…
http://toge-nyc.deviantart.com/art/Plasticdragon-12822409
This amazing sculpture is also make out of plastic cutlery and other plastic eating containers. I can’t imagine every doing anything quite so complicated with kids, but I think it would be lots of fun to show them the possibilities and see what type of sculptures they CAN make using their imagination.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Designer-vases-from-used-coffee-cups/?ALLSTEPS
This project absolutely blew me away. I had no idea that you could shrink/expand styrofoam cups this way. I’m super eager to try this, the only downside as a kids activity is the long wait period. Kids hate having to wait. I can’t wait to try this on my own and see how it works!
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2008/11/recycled_styrofoam_block_print.html
As a printmaking student I’m intrigued by the idea of using styrofoam takeout containers to create relief prints. I’m still not sure exactly how this artist is making these except as a type of collagraph. This will have to be yet another project for me to try out this summer.
http://craftzine.com/quick/bleach_stencil/
I’m a bit hesitant to use bleach with kids, but this is such an easy project that I think kids would love to try. They can design and create their own personal t-shirts. Let’s face it, who doesn’t like to feel a bit unique when it comes to their clothes.
http://memoryradio.tumblr.com/post/17770080909/moveable-paintings-this-is-a-small-set-of
The small size and simplicity of these re-purposed wood scraps would translate really well into a kid friendly project. Give each kid their own piece of wood, some paint, maybe some charcoal and/or pastels and give them free reign. Depending upon where I’m working the finished projects could be hung together on a wall to provide some wall decoration or maybe made into a table top of plant box. The possibilities are endless!
If anyone has any other recycling ideas or projects to do with kids, PLEASE let me know! Also, if you have any advice to give on doing some of the above projects, any feed back is much appreciated.
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