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Recycling doesn’t just help the environment, it can also be fun! So, get your kids excited about sustainability with one of these easy creative recycled art projects that turn garbage from your recycling bin into art materials and masterpieces.
Recycled Art Projects Your Kids Will Love!
From sculptures made out of toilet paper rolls to colorful collages made with paper scraps, there’s an idea here for everyone and every recyclable material.
48 Easy & Creative Recycled Art Projects for Kids
Recycled Paper & Newspaper Art Projects
1. Recycled Paper Clay
Use shredded paper or torn newspaper to make your own recycled paper clay.
2. Cool Cat Newspaper Art Project
Use newspaper and magazine pages to make this cool cat-themed recycled collage art.
3. Watercolor Flowers with Recycled Newspaper
Not only is this recycled newspaper craft fun for kids, but the liquid watercolor droppers also make it great for building fine motor skills, too.
4. Magazine Page Butterfly
Some simple folding and a pipe cleaner turn an old magazine page into a beautiful recycled butterfly.
5. Boats at Sea Recycled Collage
This boat-themed recycled collage project uses recycled cardboard and newspaper while incorporating basic shape learning, too.
Recycled Art Projects with Cardboard
6. Printmaking with Recycled Cardboard
Try this printed art project that uses recycled cardboard box as a printmaking tool.
7. Recycled Cardboard Owl Craft
Every owl ends up different with this cute recycled owl craft project using recycled cardboard and other recyclables, too.
8. Recycled Dinosaur Art Project
Recycled cardboard, loose parts, and a little creativity go into making this creative dinosaur recycling art project.
9. Kids Process Art with Recycled Cardboard
Provide your kids with a variety of art supplies and cardboard from the recycling bin to inspire some open-ended recycled process art.
Paper Roll Art Projects
10. Cardboard Tube Sculptures
Cut cardboard tubes into rings for this neat open-ended recycled sculpture project.
11. Toilet Paper Roll Prints
Use cardboard tubes and paint to create some simple recycled printmaking art.
12. Recycled Paper Roll Fish
Some cutting, a little paint, and some googly eyes turn recycled cardboard toilet paper rolls into adorable little fish.
13. Paper Roll Zebra Craft
Turn cardboard toilet paper rolls into some cute little standing zebras.
14. Paper Roll Giraffe Craft
Then, use recycled paper towel rolls to make some tall-standing giraffes, too.
15. TP Roll Doodle Owls
Inspire your child to do some doodling with this creative owl art project using toilet paper rolls.
Recyclable Art Projects with Egg Cartons
16. Egg Carton Sculpture Project
Show your child how to use styrofoam egg cartons to make some creative open-ended recycled sculptures.
17. Cardboard Egg Carton Flowers
Save that cardboard egg carton from the garbage bin by turning it into a bouquet of pretty recycled craft flowers.
18. Recycled Egg Carton Turtle Craft
Or, use your cardboard egg carton to make these cute little recycled craft turtles.
19. Egg Carton Flower Art
This flower-themed recycled art uses egg cartons plus colorful cupcake liners, too.
20. Cute Egg Carton Mushroom Craft
How about using your egg carton to make some cute recycled craft mushrooms, too.
Recycled Plastic Art Projects
21. DIY Plastic Shrink Art
Find out which recycled plastics you can use to make Shrinky Dink-inspired shrink art.
22. Upcycled Plastic Earth Day Suncatchers
Or, use clear recycled plastic for this planet Earth suncatcher art project that’s perfect for Earth Day.
23. Jeweled Heart Suncatcher Craft
Recycled plastic from milk jugs makes the perfect base for these jeweled heart suncatchers.
24. Recycled Plastic Squid Craft
This creative squid craft utilizes recycled plastic bags, plastic bottle caps, and straws for its long, flowing arms and tentacles.
25. Plastic Bottle Art Butterflies
Use plain old plastic water bottles and a free printable template to make beautiful recycled art butterflies.
26. Upcycled Plastic Bottle Flower Vase
Turn a recyclable plastic bottle into a colorful flower vase that makes the perfect homemade gift.
27. Recycled Milk Jug Dragonfly
Or, use the plastic from a recycled milk jug for this creative dragonfly recycled craft project.
28. Plastic Water Bottle Fish Craft
Grab a plastic water bottle out of the recycle bin for this cute recycled craft fish.
Open-Ended Creative Recycled Art Ideas
29. Recycled Building Block Sculptures
Upcycle cardboard food boxes and toilet paper tubes into building blocks for recycled sculptures.
30. DIY Chalkboard Toys using Recyclables
Paint recycled materials with chalkboard paint to make some open-ended toys your child can transform with chalk.
31. Plastic Bottle Print Painting
Get your child to explore the prints and marks they can make with paint and plastic bottles.
32. Printmaking with Recycled Materials
Or, provide your child with a variety of recycled materials to explore printmaking.
33. Recyclable Art Mystery Box Challenge
Fill a box with random items from your recycling bin, then challenge your child to create recycled art using all of the materials.
34. Bubble Wrap Painting
Use a cardboard paper roll to make a bubble wrap paint roller for this fun recycled art painting project.
Upcycled Art Projects Using Recycled Materials
35. Recycled Styrofoam Spring Art
Use toothpicks and string to turn recycled styrofoam into beautiful recycled string art.
36. Upcycled Plastic Bottle Cap Necklace Craft
Save those plastic bottle caps from the recycling bin and make some artsy recycle bottle cap necklaces.
37. Colorful CD Scratch Art
Have some old CDs hanging around? Give them to upcycle into colorful CD scratch art.
38. Loose Parts Rabbits Art Project
This adorable rabbit-themed recycled craft project brings new life to old bottle caps, jar lids, and other random loose parts, too.
39. Recycled Materials Robot
Tin cans and foil-covered recyclable materials make this recycled craft robot super cute.
40. Upcycled Wind Chime Art Project
Raid the recycle bin for tin cans to upcycle into a colorful wind chime.
Recyclable Art Projects for Every Holiday
41. Recycled Craft Love Bugs for Valentine’s Day
Use materials from the recycling bin to make these cute love bugs for your Valentine.
42. Recycled Art Easter Eggs
Have your kids explore their creativity and practice making patterns on some recycled cardboard Easter eggs.
43. Recycled Jar Lanterns for Earth Day
Turn plain old mason jars into beautiful glowing lanterns that celebrate Earth Day, too.
44. Candy Wrapper Easter Egg Collage
Save those pretty foil wrappers from your child’s Easter candy for them to use in this creative Easter egg collage project.
45. Paper Tube Painted Fireworks
Use paper towel rolls to paint fireworks for an easy and creative recycling art project for Independence Day or New Years Eve.
46. Cereal Box Mummy Craft
Make cute Halloween mummy decorations using some cereal boxes and an old white t-shirt.
47. Halloween Ghosts Recycled Craft
Recycled egg cartons and white plastic bags turn into adorable hanging ghosts that are perfect for Halloween.
48. Plastic Lid Christmas Ornaments
Let the kids get creative drawing patterns with permanent markers on these recycled plastic lid Christmas ornaments.
Kids Art Supplies on Amazon:
Now, the above recycled art ideas use recycled materials, but most also use some basic supplies, too. So, here are some of our favorite art materials you can get right on Amazon…
Melissa & Doug Wooden Tabletop Paper Roll Dispenser With White Bond PaperCrayola Twistables Colored Pencil SetGorilla Kids School GlueOOLY Giftable ChunkiesKids Art Smock, Long SleeveCrayola Kids Washable Paint SetArteza Kids Watercolor PencilsKids Paint Set with Washable Paint and No-Spill Paint CupsKids Paint Brushes Value PackElmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue SticksCrayola Mini Twistables Crayons Coloring KitHuhuhero Kids Scissors SetCrayola Washable Markers with Retractable TipsNEX&CO Kids Mini Hot Glue Gun with 60 Pack Colored Glue SticksCrayola Washable Watercolors Paint Set
Then, find more creative kits, games, and art supplies for kids in B-Inspired Mama’s Amazon Shop: Fun Finds for Creative Kids
Find these Recycled Art Ideas Helpful? Then, Save ‘Em & Share ‘Em!
Now, don’t forget to save these recycling art ideas to come back to later. And, share them with friends! Simply click on the buttons at the top or bottom of this post. Or, click here: Share on Facebook | Tweet It | Pin It | Email to a Friend
Finally, Find More Kids Art Project Ideas on B-Inspired Mama:
- 3 Kids Art Projects Inspired by Art History
- Creative Sculpture Art Projects for Kids
- 7 Fun STEAM Art Activities Kids Love!
Jill says
I am always amazed at how much you can create with items destined for the trash- like toilet paper rolls!
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Katie Chiavarone says
These are awesome I can’t wait to try them with my kids! Love your blog, thank you for the inspiration!!