• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • About
  • Contact
  • Subscribe to B-Inspired Mama Newsletters TODAY!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure
  • The “Fun Finds for Kids” Shop

B-Inspired Mama

Kids Crafts · Play & Learning Activities · Fun Food · Creative Parenting Tips

  • Home
  • Kids Crafts
    • Painting
    • Mixed Media
    • Hand Print Art
    • Art History
  • Play and Learning
    • Fine Motor Fun
    • Play Dough
    • Outdoor Play
    • Literacy & Reading
    • Math Fun
    • Science Fun
    • Sensory Play & Sensory Processing
  • Family Recipes
    • Breakfast Ideas
    • Lunch Ideas
    • Snack Ideas
    • Dinner Ideas
    • Dessert
    • Beverages
  • Creative Parenting
    • Sleep Issues
    • Picky Eaters
    • Gentle Discipline
    • Potty Training
    • Health & Safety
    • Special Needs
    • Taking Care of Mom
    • Household Management
  • Printables
    • Printable Activities for Kids
    • Coloring Pages
    • Printable Parenting Tools
    • Home & DIY Printables
Home » Fun and Easy Kids Crafts » 48 Easy Creative Recycled Art Projects for Kids

48 Easy Creative Recycled Art Projects for Kids

By Krissy of B-Inspired Mama 4 Comments

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Sharing is caring!

3.5K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email
, , Disclosure: This “Easy Creative Recycled Art Projects for Kids” blog post contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.

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.

A collage of photos of creative recycled art projects for kids, including a child using the edge of a piece of cardboard to print red paint on white paper, various recyclable containers painted with chalkboard paint featuring house and truck details drawn on them with chalk, a flower art piece made out of layered painted newspaper, CDs painted with bright colors and patterns scratched into the paint, a cardboard and paper collage of an owl, and a squid with long tentacles made out of recycled plastic and bottle caps.

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.

A collage of photos of kids recycled art projects using paper, newspaper, and cardboard, including flower art made out of layered painted newspaper, a cat collage made out of paper and newspaper, a dinosaur collage made out of corrugated cardboard, a 3D butterfly made out of a folded magazine page and pipe cleaner, a child printing red paint with the edge of a piece of cardboard, and a child creating a sea and sailboat themed collage with paper and newspaper.

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.

A collage of photos of kids recycling art projects using cardboard toilet paper tubes and paper towel rolls, including small, colorful fish made out of tp rolls, a sculpture of stacked DIY building blocks made out of washi tape-covered TP tubes, cute little red mushrooms made out of cardboard toilet paper rolls, a mom and child zebra made out of cardboard TP and paper towel rolls, a child printing circles of paint with the end of TP rolls, and a 3D standing owl made out of a cardboard TP tube with black marker details.

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.

A collage of photos of kids recyclable art projects, including a cute little blue dragonfly with recycled plastic wings, a bright blue and green planet Earth suncatcher, a bright orange 3D monarch butterfly with plastic wings, a colorful flower vase made out of a plastic water bottle, a child printing paint on paper using a plastic water bottle, and a creative 3D squid with tentacles made out of plastic bags and bottle caps.

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.

A collage of photos of creative recycling art ideas for various holidays, including recycled mason jar lanterns for Earth Day, Christmas ornaments made out of plastic lids, cute Halloween mummies made out of recycled cereal boxes and an old white t-shirt, a love bug craft made out of recycled cardboard, an Independence Day or New Years fireworks painting made by printing with cardboard toilet paper rolls, and pretty hanging Easter egg art made out of recycled cardboard.

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 PaperMelissa & Doug Wooden Tabletop Paper Roll Dispenser With White Bond PaperCrayola Twistables Colored Pencil SetCrayola Twistables Colored Pencil SetGorilla Kids School GlueGorilla Kids School GlueOOLY Giftable ChunkiesOOLY Giftable ChunkiesKids Art Smock, Long SleeveKids Art Smock, Long SleeveCrayola Kids Washable Paint SetCrayola Kids Washable Paint SetArteza Kids Watercolor PencilsArteza Kids Watercolor PencilsKids Paint Set with Washable Paint and No-Spill Paint CupsKids Paint Set with Washable Paint and No-Spill Paint CupsKids Paint Brushes Value PackKids Paint Brushes Value PackElmer's Disappearing Purple School Glue SticksElmer’s Disappearing Purple School Glue SticksCrayola Mini Twistables Crayons Coloring KitCrayola Mini Twistables Crayons Coloring KitHuhuhero Kids Scissors SetHuhuhero Kids Scissors SetCrayola Washable Markers with Retractable TipsCrayola Washable Markers with Retractable TipsNEX&CO Kids Mini Hot Glue Gun with 60 Pack Colored Glue SticksNEX&CO Kids Mini Hot Glue Gun with 60 Pack Colored Glue SticksCrayola Washable Watercolors Paint SetCrayola 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!

A collage of photos of kids recyclable art projects, including a cute little blue dragonfly with recycled plastic wings, a bright blue and green planet Earth suncatcher, a bright orange 3D monarch butterfly with plastic wings, a colorful flower vase made out of a plastic water bottle, a child printing paint on paper using a plastic water bottle, and a creative 3D squid with tentacles made out of plastic bags and bottle caps.

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!
Disclosure: This “Easy Creative Recycled Art Projects for Kids” blog post contains affiliate links; as an affiliate and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Please read my full disclosure policy for more information.

Sharing is caring!

3.5K shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Email

Filed Under: Earth Day, Fun and Easy Kids Crafts, Holidays, Mixed Media, Unusual Art Supplies Tagged With: Earth Day, Recycled Materials, Recycling

About Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Former M.Ed Art Teacher. Current Blogger & Social Media Influencer. Always Crazy & Creative Mama of 3.

Previous Post: « Easy Dessert Mud Pie Recipe for Kids
Next Post: 45+ Fun & Easy Easter Bunny Activities for Kids »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jill says

    April 27, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    I am always amazed at how much you can create with items destined for the trash- like toilet paper rolls!

    Thank you for stopping by the Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop this week. We hope to see you drop by our neck of the woods next week!

    Reply
  2. Katie Chiavarone says

    April 25, 2014 at 4:51 PM

    These are awesome I can’t wait to try them with my kids! Love your blog, thank you for the inspiration!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Meet Krissy of B-Inspired Mama

Footer

Follow Along on Social Media:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Browse by Category:

Browse by Date:

Disclosure: This Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Influencer Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without the cost being higher for you).

Copyright © 2023 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress