Easy Earth Day Crafts for Kids: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

On Earth Day we are reminded of our responsibility to the planet. While “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is something to do year-round, kids can celebrate the annual holiday by making crafts.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycled Crafts: Easy Earth Day Projects for Kids
Challenge kids to create something new from discarded objects rather than purchase something new. Reuse items wisely though. Try to think of projects that are useful, taking the place of a purchased item, or something that makes life easier such as a bag caddy made from a recycled milk jug.

Bag Man

Make it easier to reuse plastic bags by creating a fun home for them. Let this cute fellow hold all the bags until you need them. Even if you try to avoid plastic grocery store bags, bags tend to accumulate. Rather than simply tossing the bags, you can reuse them as trash can liners, doggy poop bags and even package stuffing.

Supplies needed to make a Bag Man

• Gallon milk jug
• Sharp scissors
• Permanent marker
• Miscellaneous craft supplies; googly eyes, pom poms, stickers, pipe cleaners, craft foam

Directions to make a Bag Man

1. Wash and dry the milk jug.
2. Cut a mouth shape on the opposite side of the handle.
3. Use the marker to outline the mouth shape. Add smile lines to the outside corners if desired.
4. Glue googly eyes above the mouth, draw or cut and glue craft foam eyes on the bag man.
5. Glue a pom pom or craft foam nose between the eyes and mouth.
6. Finish decorating with pipe cleaners, cut out pieces or stickers.
7. Fill with bags and set in a handy location.

Painted rocks

Rock painting is a surprisingly fun activity for kids of all ages. The finished creations make nice paperweights of course, but they can also be used as colorful additions to your houseplants or set among the flowers in the garden. Use leftover paint and rocks found on a walk to get started.

Supplies needed:

• Rocks
• Newspaper
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes
• Egg carton
• Black permanent marker (optional)
• Googly eyes and craft glue (optional)
• Acrylic sealer spray

Directions to make painted rocks

1. Wash and dry the rocks.
2. Protect the painting area with newspaper. Pour the paint into an empty egg carton.
3. Paint rocks. Let the kids determine if they want to turn the rocks into recognizable critters such as lady bugs, or if they want abstract rocks.
4. If making lady bugs, use a black permanent marker to draw the wing shape once the paint is dry. Add googly eyes with the craft glue if desired.
5. Seal all the dry painted rocks at once with a spray sealer.

Paper Birds

Create mini works of art with material you can find around the house. The only item you may need to invest in is glue.

Supplies needed:

• Wire hanger
• Newspaper
• Plastic grocery bag
• Glue
• Wood scrap
• Drill
• Wire cutters

Directions to make a bird sculpture

1. Cut a piece of wire from the hanger. Fold the piece in half or simply use one of the corners so that it is already bent. This piece will from the bird legs.
2. Wrap a plastic bag through the bent part of the wire then tie. Tie several more times, to scrunch it into a bird body shape.
3. Tear newspaper into strips and then dip into the craft glue. Wrap the bag in order to completely cover and form the bird shape. Let dry and then add another layer or two to create a smooth exterior finish. Drill two holes in the top of a small block of wood. Put a dab of glue into the hole and then insert the wire bird legs.
4. Let the sculpture dry and then paint the bird.
5. Add a layer of newsprint to the wood base with glue, paint, or decorate however desired.