Looking for a fun and environmentally-friendly way to spend winter evenings or weekends? Check out these unique winter crafts that you can make from items commonly found in the recycling bin! Unleash your creativity and reduce your household waste at the same time. Boom! Keep reading for a few ideas to get you started.
#1: Tin Can Luminaries
All you need for this project are some clean, empty, tin cans, tea light candles, a hammer, a nail, and artificial foliage or other decorations around the house. Start by washing the tin cans and removing any labels. Once the cans are clean, use the hammer and nail to punch evenly-spaced holes around the top rim. (Kids will obviously need help with this part). Place a tea candle inside each can, and decorate the exterior of the can with leaves, flowers, or whatever strikes your fancy!
#2: Recycled Paper Bowls
This is a great project to do with kids, as it’s simple and doesn’t require any sharp tools. You’ll need some recycled paper, glue, wax paper, and a plastic bowl or plate to use as a mold. Begin by tearing the paper into small pieces and arrange the wax paper on the inside of the bowl or plate. Next, glue the pieces to the inside of the bowl or plate (over the wax paper), working in a circular motion from the center out. Once the entire surface is covered, allow the glue to dry. Carefully peel the paper bowl or plate off of your mold and voila! You can use these bowls for snacks, jewelry, or trinkets. To see a helpful tutorial on this craft, check out this video from Sophie’s World.
Winter Craft #3: Bird Feeder
Last but not least, you can used recycled materials to make a beautiful bird feeder! Find an empty plastic soda bottle, some bird seed, string, and a pair of scissors. Then carefully cut the soda bottle in half using the scissors. Take the top half of the bottle and make two small holes near the top. Thread some string through the holes and tie it off. Pour bird seed into the bottom half of the bottle, and then screw on the top half. Hang your new bird feeder from a tree branch or a fence, and enjoy watching the birds feast! Check out this alternative DIY recycled bird feeder from the Audubon Society.
So there you have it! Three simple craft ideas that you can make with materials that would otherwise be trashed! Give them a try and let us know how it goes. For more ideas, check out frostedflamingo.com And if you have any other great ideas for recycling crafts, feel free to share in the comments below! Happy crafting!
-Becca