Creative ways to recycle or reuse common household items

For those with children at home, the number of things that they need is equally proportionate to the things that they can no longer use. For parents, the real challenge is how to effectively maintain a balance between the needs of the kids and avoiding unnecessary expenditures. If you as a parent believe in recycling stuff so that you can use them to cater to newer needs, while raising eco-friendly kids,  you should definitely read ahead.

Advantages of recycling/ reuse of  useless items by kids at home

Kids would learn to create new things out of waste items. 

It is a great way to give wings to their imagination and creativity.

Recycling or repurposing of items will save a couple of bucks too.

Kids will learn the value of things bought for them.

The activity is great to keep kids engaged in a productive way.

The valuable lesson of being eco friendly becomes visible to kids.

Creative ways to recycle or reuse common household items

Creating something new out of old items can be fun. It is more interesting when parents join kids to make recycled products. Here is a list for transforming common household items into recycled products-

From cracked ball to beautiful paperweight: 

It’s true – the rubber balls which crack and can no longer be played with can be used as a paperweight by using pins to hold pressed sequins or beads on the exterior of the ball. You can also paint the surface of the ball to make it more attractive.

From the broken globe into beautiful light holders:

Many households have a globe for children. Once broken into two halves, it becomes useless but you can use it as light holders to cover the bulbs. It would add to the décor of your room and give it a ‘world-class’ touch!

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From metallic bottle caps and broken crayons to beautiful mini diyas: 

You would normally throw out the metallic bottle caps after using the opener to remove them. The same goes for the crayons. Collect them instead. All you need to do is clean them, put a thick thread as a wick in each of them, and pour molten wax by melting the crayons. Your colorful mini diyas/ candles are ready for use during festivals or as home décor.

From old crayons to push up crayons: 

Yes, the pushup crayons can be made at home too instead of buying them from the market where they are relatively more expensive than the normal ones. Melt old or broken crayons and pour them into the plastic cover of the finished glue stick. Let it dry and there, your new push up crayon is ready.

From newspaper to odor absorbent: 

You would have never looked at the newspaper this way but you can try it out for yourself. So, you can either crumble it to keep it inside the shoe for those who have smelly feet or keep a dry stack in the room. It absorbs bad odor.

Moreover, newspapers can be used to make baskets, gift bags, party hats, paper flowers, and ornaments, etc.

From leftover cardboards/ stationery items to the desk organizers

Use leftover cardboard, colorful papers, decorative items, etc., to create a desk organizer. The kids can keep their pencils, crayons, and other small items safely in the same. Here is a link for making desk organizer at home- 
 https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-DIY-Storage-Organizer-From-Cardboard/

From old plastic bottles to beautiful flower pots and piggy banks

piggy bank image from Pinterest.com

Handmade items look adorable when kids create them out of waste products. Paint a bottle and cut the same into half horizontally. The cut out pots need to be deep enough to contain soil and space for the plant to grow. Now pierce two holes on the two sides to tie a rope. Your pot is ready!

For making piggy banks, hold a wide-mouth plastic bottle horizontally and cut out a small rectangular piece from the center. Now, using colorful papers, sketch pens, watercolors, etc to create face, arms, and feet.

Related posts:

Ways to recycle kids' stuff

Eco friendly decoration ideas