When you repurpose materials, it helps reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills and the ocean. When waste products break down, greenhouse gasses are emitted into the air, causing pollution. Also, the trash that ends up in the ocean can harm marine life. Upcycling can also have a personal impact. Upcycling encourages you to be creative and use problem-solving skills.
When You Collaborate With Others To Create Something Brand-New, It Can Form Bonds Within Your Community.
This activity can even earn you some extra cash. Some companies purchase these upcycled products to produce new ones.
Top 7 Upcycling Activities for You and Your Kids
While upcycling can often be confused with recycling, they are different from one another. Recycled items are collected and processed before being repurposed. On the other hand, upcycling refurbishes objects within their current state. Now that you know some of the benefits of reusing items, here are seven fun upcycling projects to create with your kids.
- Fairy Houses. Use old milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and body wash to build adorable little fairy houses. This project will give your kids something new and whimsical to play with. It also prevents the containers from being thrown away. Creating fairy houses is an amazing art and crafts activity to keep your kids entertained and off their devices.
- Tin Can Planters. Take your tin food cans and turn them into plant holders. This is a great way to add unique decorations to your home. It can also teach your kids about gardening techniques. Consider filling your can with an easy-to-maintain and beautiful-looking coffee plant.
- Jump Ropes. Take used plastic bags and tie them together to create a jump rope. Consider making the handles out of durable and recyclable material, such as bulk bags. This project is a great way to encourage your kids to stay active. It also helps the planet by preventing plastic from ending up in our rivers and oceans. Also, when plastic gets incinerated, it releases greenhouse gases into the air, contributing to climate change.
- Egg Carton Sea Turtles. This is a fun way to get your kids’ creative juices flowing. Art projects allow your kids to express their emotions constructively. This craft project is also the perfect chance for you to let your inner child out. Consider encouraging your kids to use the sea turtles as room decorations. This saves you money and helps the planet. Manufacturing processes can emit gases into the air that contribute to pollution.
- Kleenex Box Monsters. Save your used tissue boxes from being tossed into the trash. Turn them into fun toys for your kids instead. This activity allows your kids to use their imagination. Their creations can also be something they show off to their friends at school. Try to find boxes with a fun pattern. This way, you can reduce any potential mess by supplying your kids with construction paper and buttons instead of paint.
- Bird Feeder. All you need is a plastic bottle, wooden spoons, yarn, and some birdseed to make an upcycled birdhouse. Here are the steps to take to create your bird feeder: 1. Poke holes on opposing sides of the bottle. 2. Push the spoon through one hole into the other. 3. Repeat this process for the rest of your spoons. 4. Pour the birdseed into the container. This activity is a helpful way to get your kids outside. If your child enjoys learning about nature, it can also turn into an educational moment. Plus, it’s a project that can last for an extended time before being thrown away.
- Piggy Banks. This is a fun way to repurpose items such as cardboard and glass jars. Creating a piggy bank also teaches your children the value of money. Being able to handle money responsibly will be a valuable skill for them later in life. It can also teach them how to save up their cash.
Upcylcing can be fun and environmentally friendly. Spending time with your kids creates lifelong memories! And upcycling is an excellent way to connect with them while helping the earth. Consider these upcycling projects the next time you’re looking for a fun family activity.