Hello Omschooligans and welcome to another day of recycled cardboard craft projects with teacher Omi! Here at the Omschool, we're celebrating Earth Month by making crafts for kids using recycled cardboard. Today we're making a transformable recycled cardboard puppet theater, playhouse, play store and and cardboard forts. Use these Earth Day cardboard crafts for kids in preschool learning centers to teach science, dramatic play and art.
What you'll need:
These crafts for kids require recycled cardboard but you'll want to make sure that there are many kinds of recycled items:
- glass jars
- plastic containers
- Styrofoam pieces
- metal cans
- grocery items
- a recycle bin (teacher Omi's best friend for hands-on lesson plans!)
- scissors
- stapler
- glue
- markers
- tape
Recycled cardboard fort walls
Show children how to open cardboard boxes and attach them together to form large sheets for roof and walls of cardboard forts. Reinforce cardboard forts with taped on sticks, yard sticks, rulers, recycled plastic straws, etc. Hold recycled cardboard walls upright and tape one stick on both sides, at angles, from wall to floor. These temporary props keep walls from toppling.
Cardboard fort windows
Cut windows in recycled cardboard play fort walls. Staple old towels or scrap fabric to windows for curtains. Paint cardboard fort exterior or drape with large blankets, sheets, tablecloths or curtains. Create a village of forts where children can visit back and forth. Let them fill forts with pillows, stuffed animals, books and snacks.
Recycled cardboard play store
Repurpose cardboard forts into a play store.
- Tape recycled cardboard shelves to inside by making hinges (tape one piece under the shelf and one on top, by making an L shape and attaching both to wall and shelf).
- Collect food packages, cans, bottles, boxes and containers from the recycle bin. Assemble them on play store shelves.
- Students should design a sign to entice customers.
- They can make fake checks, credit cards and play money.
- Bag play store groceries in recycled grocery bags.
- Create a scanner "gun" from a plastic water pistol. Remind kids to say "beep" when checking out groceries for their customers.
Recycled cardboard crafts: play theater
Instruction Card: The Transformable Puppet Theater
| Project: Recycled Play Theater | Prep Time: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium |
| Materials: | Tools: | Yield: |
| 1 Large Appliance Box | Utility Knife/Scissors | 1 Tabletop or Floor Theater |
| Old Curtains or Fabric | Duct Tape | |
| Tension Rod or String | Markers/Paint |
Instructions
Prepare the Base: Select a large cardboard box. If using a refrigerator box, keep it upright. If using a smaller shipping box, open the top and bottom flaps to create a "tunnel."
Cut the Stage Window: On the front side of the box, draw a large rectangle about midway up (eye level for the "puppeteers"). Carefully cut this out to create your stage opening.
The Proscenium Arch: Decorate the area around the window with paint or markers. You can glue on cardboard "scrollwork" or a marquee sign at the top.
Install the Curtains: * Option A: Poke two holes on either side of the window inside the box and thread a piece of clothesline through.
Option B: Use a small tension rod wedged inside the box frame.
Hang your scrap fabric or old towels to act as the stage curtain.
Backstage Access: Ensure the back of the box remains open so the "actors" can crawl in and out easily.
Stabilize: If the theater feels wobbly, use the "Plus-Sign" method from your fort-building section: tape a yardstick or heavy cardboard strip diagonally across the interior corners.
The Show Must Go On!
- Have students write a play to put on in their theater.
- Write a script and cast characters.
- Make costumes, props and scenery from the recycle bin.
- Haul out the instruments and make the play into a musical or opera.
- Choreograph a dance number.
✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️ Omi’s Pro Tip: Use the leftover cardboard scraps from your Stage Window to make handheld props like magic wands, swords, or flowers for the actors to hold! 🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️
| Project: Recycled Stage Scenery | Prep Time: 10 mins | Difficulty: Easy |
| Materials: | Tools: | Yield: |
| Flat Cardboard Sheets | Markers or Tempera Paint | 2-3 Background Flats |
| Cardboard Tubes (Paper Towel) | Tape or Hot Glue | |
| Sponges (for texture) | Utility Knife |
Instructions
Select Your Setting: Decide if your play takes place in a "Magic Forest," "Outer Space," or a "City Street."
The "Flat" Method: Take a large, flat piece of cardboard. Draw the outline of your main feature (like a giant tree or a skyscraper). Cut it out carefully.
Make it Stand Up: * The Tube Stand: Cut a slit into the top of two paper towel tubes and slide the bottom of your cardboard scenery into the slits.
The Easel Back: Tape a triangular scrap of cardboard to the back of your scenery to act as a kickstand.
Add Texture: Instead of just coloring, use old sponges to dab paint onto trees for leaves, or glue on crumpled bits of green tissue paper for a 3D effect.
Reversible Sets: Paint a "Day" scene on one side of your cardboard and a "Night" scene on the other. You can flip it over during "intermission"!
