recycled craft | There's Just One Mommy

Flying Dragon Craft

OneMommy — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:03:47 +0000

Cardboard tubes (some people call them paper rolls) are perfect for creating crafts that engage children in pretend play once craft time is finished.

They are also great for using in a variety of STEM activities for kids.

This Flying Dragon Craft is a fun cardboard tube craft that doubles as a simple STEM activity.

It uses materials you probably already have on hand, which means your child can get busy creating their very own flying dragon toy, without you having to hunt fancy craft stores for supplies.

Do you know a child that loves dragons?

Dragon activities like this one are sure to be a hit!

Your child may also love this homemade dragon cake and homemade dragon pinata. They’d be fun dragon crafts for kids that are older, or make them for a dragon themed party.

This dragon craft had my son roaring and smiling as he made his homemade dragon fly over and over again. Your child is going to love it, too!

Flying Dragon Craft

Affiliate links have been used below. See my full disclosure for more details.

Materials Needed:

empty cardboard roll (4-6 inches long)
construction paper
yarn (or heavy string)
markers
wiggly eyes
scissors
craft glue

Decide what color you want your dragon to be.

We chose green, but your child can make their cardboard tube dragon whatever color they choose. They might even want to make it have multiple colors, using a different color for the wings, body, and head.

Measure the length of your cardboard tube and cut a strip of construction paper that wide so it will cover the tube.

Glue this paper around the tube. You could also use clear tape to hold it in place.

Fold a piece of construction paper in half and draw a wing shape on the paper, with the folded edge being where the wing would meet the dragon’s body. Cut out the wing shape so that when you unfold it, you have 2 wings that are connected.

Glue the wings to the cardboard tube.

Use construction paper to create a tail and a head for the dragon. For our head we cut a piece that looks a bit like an acorn with 2 small horns.

Your child may choose to cut a simple circle shape. Or they may get even more creative when making their paper dragon head.

Attach the wiggly eyes to the head and use markers to complete the dragon’s face.

Glue the tail and head to the cardboard tube.

Let the glue dry completely before doing the next part.

How to Make a Flying Dragon Toy

Cut 4-5 feet of yarn (or heavy string).

Fold it in half and loop it over a doorknob so an equal amount hangs on both sides. You could also hang it from a hook or the knob on a cabinet.

Thread the loose ends of the yarn through the top of your cardboard dragon so they stick out the bottom.

To make the dragon fly, hold the two ends of the yarn, one in each hand, and pull your hands apart to separate the yarn.

As you move your hands apart, the dragon will fly to the top of the yarn. When you bring your hands back together, the dragon will slide back down.

Dragon STEM Activity

This simple kids dragon craft is also a wonderful STEM activity.

The yarn is actually acting like a lever in this activity.

Pulling the yarn pieces apart and to the sides changes the angle of the yarn to the tube. The yarn, working as a lever, pushes the dragon up.

When you change the angle of the yarn so it’s back to the center, the dragon slides back down with the help of gravity.

We had so much fun with this flying dragon craft and STEM activity. I know your child will love it, too.

Fun Recycled Crafts for Kids

OneMommy — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 05:00:04 +0000

If you have a child that loves to get creative you know that the cost of craft supplies can add up quickly.

One way to keep your crafting budget in check is by doing kids crafts with recyclables.

Not only are recyclables an inexpensive craft material, but crafting with recyclables is also a wonderful way to teach kids to think about the environment.

With Earth Day coming up in April, I wanted to share a few of our favorite recycled crafts for kids.

Affiliate links may be used below. See my full disclosure for more information.

Recycled Crafts for Kids

Celebrating Earth Day? Read The Lorax (a great book about taking care of earth); then create your own Cardboard Tube Lorax.

For a fun hands-on history activity, make tin can lanterns.

Use pages from old magazines to make this beautiful butterfly craft!

This Water Bottle Sun Catcher is simple to make and looks amazing when the sun hits it!

For those Star Wars fans, make this recycled X-Wing Fighter!

Have a vehicle fan at home? This Recycled Bottle Helicopter will have their imagination soaring!

Too early to catch fireflies? Craft this Plastic Bottle Firefly which can double as a nightlight when camping!

Make a bouquet of Cardboard Tube Flowers to decorate the table. (These are great for Mother’s Day, too!)

Don’t toss that old drink pouch! Turn it into a drink pouch change purse.

This Toilet Paper Tube Octopus is fun for little ones to craft and play with.

You may also want to try this cute little cardboard tube bunny.

One of our favorite crafts every year is building a fairy house from recyclables. They always come out so unique, like this beach-themed fairy house.

Spring is the perfect time to make your own mini garden.

Add to the dress up clothes with this Pretend Play Helmet made from cereal boxes.

This Pretend Play Jet Pack is sure to take your preschooler on many far away adventures.

Allergy season leaving you with lots of empty tissue boxes? Make a few Tissue Box Vehicles — perfect for giving stuffed animals a ride!

Use cardboard tubes to make your own American Girl Doll campfire! (Also great for those stuffed animals!)

This do-it-yourself Water Wall will keep them cool on hot days!

Recycle over-sized tin cans into classic tin can stilts for lots of fun outdoor play.

Hair supplies all over the place? Recycle a hot chocolate canister into a cute hair supplies organizer!

Turn large packing boxes into thrifty play houses, like this cute Sweet Shop or this fun Cardboard Castle.

Instead of tossing out old Christmas cards, recycle them into your very own recycled Christmas card ornament.

Have a Lightning McQueen fan at home? They will love this cardboard tube car craft.

For even more recycled crafts for kids, check out these 40 Fun Egg Carton Crafts and Activities.

Fun Egg Carton Crafts and Activities for Kids

OneMommy — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 12:08:52 +0000

When it comes to doing activities with the kids, using recyclables is a great option.

Not only does it make craft & activity time less expensive, but there are always plenty of materials on hand.

This time of year families tend to have a lot of egg cartons on hand, which is perfect for using in some fabulous Egg Carton Crafts and Egg Carton Activities.

They have become some of our favorite recycled crafts.

Springtime is the time for flowers, more time outdoors, and colorful eggs.

And all those eggs come in cartons, which means you’ll have plenty of containers for some of these creative ideas.

Egg Carton Activities

Egg Carton Coding — Introduce your child to coding with this egg carton STEM activity.

Making 10 Activity — Create your own physical 10 frame to work on making 10 and simple addition skills.

Egg Carton Building Blocks — Create endless egg carton STEM opportunities by creating these building pieces. Can your child engineer a pyramid?

Fine Motor Activity — Toddlers and preschoolers can work on fine motor skills with this threading activity using egg cartons.

Egg Carton Math — Make learning math facts more fun with this simple idea.

Egg Carton Games

4 in a Row Game — Make your own version of 4 in a Row, using an egg carton. This game is perfect to play with preschoolers.

DIY Mancala Game — Ever want to learn how to play Mancala? Learn how to make your own version and play the game with the kids.

Egg Carton Multiplication Game — Make learning those math facts more fun with this simple game.

Stack the Turtles Game — How many turtles can your child stack before they come tumbling down? Kids can work on basic addition skills while stacking their egg carton turtles.

Egg Carton Color Sort — This simple egg tray game is perfect for toddlers.

Egg Carton Crafts for Kids

Egg Carton Fire Truck — Build an incredible fire truck in this craft with recycled egg cartons.

Blossom Fairy Lights — This craft is absolutely magical. It would make a wonderful decoration that your child will adore.

Egg Carton Flowers — Make beautiful daffodils, perfect for spring, with this recycled craft.

Egg Carton Sculptures — Spark your child’s creativity with this open-ended craft idea.

Egg Carton Roses — These roses are so pretty, you won’t believe they are made out of egg containers.

Cute Crab Craft — With its bendy legs and googly eyes, this little crab is adorable and fun to play with.

Bird Mask — You’d never guess this fancy mask was made with egg cartons.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — This egg tray craft is sure to be a hit with TMNT fans.

Mini Whale Craft — These tiny whales are fun to play with once they’ve been made.

Spring Wreath — Challenge your child to create this spring wreath, made with egg carton pieces decorated to look like spring flowers.

Egg Carton Crafts for Preschoolers

Cotton Ball Chicks — Toddlers and preschoolers will have fun making these cute little chicks, each sitting in their own egg carton nest.

Mini Helicopters — These cute helicopters are super simple to make, and perfect for kids that love vehicles.

Incy Wincy Spider — These little spiders are perfect for acting act out the rhyme with your toddler or preschooler.

Mini Fairy Houses — Preschoolers will have fun making their very own miniature collection of fairy houses, perfect for setting in flower pots.

Egg Carton Train — This adorable craft is fun for little engineers to chug-chug-chug through the living room.

Ladybugs — If your child loves bugs, they’ll love this colorful ladybug craft.

Bunny craft — This simple egg container craft is perfect for spring.

Simple Cars Craft Inspired by the Movie

OneMommy — Tue, 26 May 2020 14:05:13 +0000

When it comes to crafts, there are so many fun kid craft ideas out there. The thing is, most of them just don’t excite boys. (Or maybe it’s that they just don’t excite MY boy.)

He has always loved car crafts, and Lightning McQueen is his absolute favorite movie.

This Disney Cars Craft is the perfect mix of the two.

Like so many boys, my son loves cars. Actually, he used to be pretty obsessed with them, especially the ones from the Disney movie. That’s why we’ve done so many car and vehicle activities over the years.

This car craft for kids that love the movie was a huge hit with him. I know your kids will love it, too.

And, if your family loves snuggling up with a few classic movies, check out these Lesson Plans for Disney Movies.

Disney Cars Craft

This craft for the Cars movie would be fun to do at a party or just with your own fan.

Affiliate links provided below.

Materials Needed:

Cardboard Toilet Paper Roll
Acrylic Paint
Construction Paper
Permanent Markers
Scissors
Glue

Start by cutting a rectangle out of the top of the cardboard tube, leaving 1/4 inch on one of the short sides and folding it up. This will become the car’s windshield where the eyes will be.

Then have your child paint the cardboard tube the color desired. My son loves Lightning McQueen and couldn’t wait to craft his own, so the red paint started going on pretty quickly.

Let the paint dry completely. While you’re waiting you might want to try some of these fun learning activities using toy cars.

Once your cardboard tube cars are dry, its time to add wheels.

Cut 4 black circles from construction paper. We traced around a small roll of tape to make our circles.

Then cut out 4 smaller white circles and glue them in the centers of the black circles. These will be the car’s wheels.

Once the paint is dry, glue the 4 wheels in place.

Cut a small rectangle from white paper. Cut a curved “V” shape at the top to form the eyes. Then use marker to color the pupils and glue the eyes into place.

We added a small yellow construction paper lightning bolt on each side of our red car.

Then we used an orange marker to write 95 on the lightning bolt to complete our Lighting McQueen craft.

We also painted a few other cardboard rolls to create some more favorite characters.

A pair of buck teeth cut from white paper and a brown pipe cleaner as a tow hook created Mater, our favorite tow truck.

And of course we made one yellow, just like the newest race car.

This simple inspired by Disney Cars Craft was one of my son’s favorites. I hope your child loves it, too!

If you liked this craft, you’ll also like:

Craft Stick Mater by Glued to My Crafts
Tipped Tractor Cupcakes (and tractor cake)
25 Recycled Crafts for Kids

Originally published July 15, 2017.

The post Simple Cars Craft Inspired by the Movie first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.

Beautiful Recycled Christmas Card Ornaments

OneMommy — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 02:28:32 +0000

With the modern technology of email and texting, getting cards and letters in the mail seems a thing of the past. This time of year, however, cards are still popular to find in the mailbox.

The cards are colorful and fun to display.

But what do you do with all those holiday cards once the decorations come down?

You can recycle Christmas cards into fun Christmas card ornaments that will look pretty on the tree for years to come.

These ideas may become some of your favorite homemade Christmas ornaments.

If you love recycled crafts, than you will love turning Christmas cards into ornaments. These ornaments make fun tween crafts for Christmas break.

Looking for more homemade ornament ideas? Check out these beaded Christmas ornaments.

Christmas Card Ornaments

3-D Christmas Card Ornament — Turn this year’s cards into a colorful 3-dimensional ornament that will remind you of all your friends and family.

Photo Card Ornament — Many families now a days send photo cards for Christmas. It’s wonderful to see how the kids have changed each year. But what do you do with the cards once the holidays are over? It seems a shame to toss them in the trash. These ornaments using photo cards are a fun way to display them year after year.

Christmas Card Shadow Box— Create vintage-looking ornaments using the cards you get from friends and family and a little creativity. You’ll love how these tiny diorama ornaments turn out.

Christmas Card Snowflake Ornament— Discover how you can create elegant ornaments using strips cut from this year’s cards.

Homemade Card Ornaments — With a few simple folds, you can turn Christmas sheet music, colorful card stock, or those holiday cards into beautiful ornaments to hang on the tree.

This year, once the decorations come down, recycle those Christmas cards into homemade ornaments you’ll cherish for years.

Star Wars R2-D2 Craft

OneMommy — Wed, 24 Apr 2019 20:07:28 +0000

Are you looking for a fun kids craft for someone that loves Star Wars?

This cute Star Wars R2D2 craft is perfect for celebrating May the 4th Be with You.

It would also make a fun decoration for a Star Wars birthday party.

Affiliate links have been provided below. Find my full disclosure here.

As I mentioned in my pool noodle lightsaber craft, my kids have gotten into Star Wars lately. This year we will be celebrating Star Wars Day.

This Star Wars craft is sure to be a huge hit with any fan all year long.

Star Wars R2D2 Craft

Materials Needed:

Empty powdered drink mix container (I used a large protein shake container, but an Ovaltine container would also work.)
Aluminum foil
Cardboard (An old cereal box would work.)
Blue duct tape
Silver/grey duct tape
Black duct tape
White duct tape
Hot glue gun (I love this one.)
Picture of R2-D2 (optional)

How to Make R2D2

Start by removing the label from your drink container.

I have found that most powdered drink mix containers are white — perfect for making R2D2. If yours is clear you could easily cover it with a few strips of white duct tape.

Next use aluminum foil to create a dome shape on top of the container’s lid. (See photo below.)

With the dull-side out, cover the dome and the lid with foil, tucking the edges around the lid’s edge. Trim off excess foil as needed.

Even though most drink containers have a screw-on lid, we were able to snap our back on to the drink container when we finished. You have just made R2D2’s head.

Using cardboard, cut out the droid’s two side legs.

You could leave R2 standing straight with just those 2 legs at his sides, or you can tilt him backwards a bit like he’s moving, which is what we did.

To accomplish this, cut a short strip of cardboard. Score it a bit and fold it into thirds. Tape the two ends together and push down on it a bit. (See photo below.)

Now it’s time for the duct tape.

Cover R2’s legs with white duct tape. Using blue duct tape add a blue stripe to the center of his side legs.

Cut a small grey duct tape circle and stick this to the top of the blue stripe.

Using your blue, black, and grey duct tape, continue decorating your R2D2. We used a few photos of R2 in this Star Wars droid book to make ours as accurate as possible.

Once you are finished decorating your droid, use the hot glue gun to attach his legs.

You now have an adorable R2D2 that is perfect for any Star Wars celebration.

Grab your lightsaber and duct tape and start making this R2D2 craft to celebrate Star Wars Day on May 4.

We used ours as a DIY Star Wars birthday party decoration. It looked cute sitting on the table by our DIY Darth Vader cake.

For more Star Wars crafts:

Originally published May 1, 2016.

The post Star Wars R2-D2 Craft first appeared on There's Just One Mommy.