Recycled trash crafts for Earth Month: Decorated glass jar vases and planters

Hello my friends! Welcome to Earth Month in the Omschool! During April, we focus on all things ecology. I'll explore ways to reduce waste, reuse discarded items, recycle trash and repurpose it in new ways. One of my favorite ways to do this is in creating recycled trash crafts for kids. Here are some recycled trash crafts that combine repurposing with gardening. 

Recycled glass jar vases

Did you ever take a close look at recycled glass jars? Some are really quite decorative and lovely. Recycled glass jars like pickle jars and jam jars have pretty patterns. And recycled glassware can be made into trash crafts for kids. Make decorative vases from recycled glass jars. Use for seed planting crafts for kids. Use these trash crafts for kids as gifts for Fathers Day gifts, Mothers Day gifts and Earth Day activities. 

Repurposing glass jars as vases or planters, addresses two important science concepts: ecology or conservation plus seed planting for science lessons.  These make great school and homeschool group craft projects. Use recycled trash crafts for kids summer camp activities, VBS and scout troop merit badge activities too. I'm going to bring this craft project to our upcoming family reunion! The possibilities are endless. 

Materials you will need (per student)

• small recycled plastic container (drinking cups, sour cream or yogurt cup)
• Styrofoam tray or pot pie tin (for drip tray)
• clean recycled glass jars in 32 oz sizes large enough to place plastic cup inside. 
• spaghetti jars
• pickle jars
• jam jars
•  peanut butter jars
• potting soil
• recycled sticks or pencils
• hardy flower seeds 
• daisy
• sunflower
• aster
• lavender
• bright lights cosmos
• brown-eyed Susan
• or herbs seeds such as:
• basil
• rosemary
• thyme
• cilantro
• sage
• oregano
• parsley 
• plant food or plant sticks
• paint pens (all the fun, none of the mess of paints)
• stencils (if desired)
• recycled ribbon and yarn scraps
• assorted buttons and gems
• glue dots (all of the convenience of hot glue with none of the dangers)
• watered down school glue (for "decoupage")
• cotton swabs or paint brushes
• fabric scraps 
• fabric scisssors
• tape for stencils

Instructions for seed planting: 

• poke three holes in the bottom of the plastic container to drain and aerate.  
• fill with dirt, plant seed according to instructions on package
• set box in window or outdoors in a safe place. 
• Place drip tray underneath. 
• Water regularly. 
• Add some plant food as directed. 
• Tie stem loosely to a stick as it begins to grow, to help keep it straight

To make decorative vases from recycled glass jars

• Give each a glass jar.
• Provide recycled scrap paper to sketch design.
• Set out paint pens and stencils to share. 
• Provide assorted fabric, notions and yarn scraps.
• Tape stencils to jar and demonstrate how to trace with paint pen.
• Let students "free range" through scraps to create their own design. 
• Show them how to "paint" fabric with glue wash and apply. 
• Affix buttons and ribbon with glue dots. 
• Place decorated on scrap paper in a safe place to dry. 

Putting it all together

Place the entire plastic container in the glass jars. If it won't fit, just place it as far in as it will go. Then be sure to add enough water to reach bottom. Transport in paper or plastic bag with handles. Students may decorate this as the wrapping paper. 

Here are some more of my articles on recycled trash crafts and Earth Month lesson plans.

Barney Bag Recycled Trash Crafts

10 Science Games from Recycled Egg Cartons

Free Printable Endangered Species Lesson Plans

DIY Recycled Cardboard Fort, Play Store and Theater crafts for kids

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 

You'll also need: 

• a recycle bin (teacher Omi's best friend for hands-on lesson plans!)
• scissors
• stapler
• glue
• markers
• tape 

Now just add some children and voila--an Earth Month of crafts for kids! 

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

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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

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Instructions

1. 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."

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Backstage Access: Ensure the back of the box remains open so the "actors" can crawl in and out easily.

6. 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! 🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️✂️🖍️

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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

1. Select Your Setting: Decide if your play takes place in a "Magic Forest," "Outer Space," or a "City Street."

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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"!

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Omi’s Pro Tip: Remind the children to design "Tickets", "Programs" and a "Showtimes" sign to post on the outside of the theater to encourage more dramatic play!

Fall and Thanksgiving Craft Projects from your recycle bin

Hello my Omschooligans! With fall officially upon us and Thanksgiving not too far off, why not countdown the days till the holiday with 20 Thanksgiving craft projects you can make using everyday items from the recycle bin, complete with instructions and images!

1. Toilet Paper Roll Turkeys

Turn empty cardboard rolls into a cute flock of festive table decorations.

• Recycled Materials: Empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls cut in half.
  
  
• Supplies: Construction paper or cardstock (fall colors), googly eyes, glue, scissors, and markers.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Wrap the cardboard tube in brown or colored construction paper and secure it with glue.
     
     
  2. Cut out feather shapes from yellow, orange, red, and brown paper. Glue them to the back of the roll in a fan shape.
     
     
  3. Cut out a small triangle for the beak and a teardrop shape for the snood, then glue them onto the front of the roll along with googly eyes.
     
     

2. Egg Carton Cornucopias

Transform the bottoms of paper egg cartons into traditional horns of plenty.

• Recycled Materials: Paper egg carton cups.
  
  
• Supplies: Brown or tan paint, paintbrushes, tissue paper or colorful scrap paper, and glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut out individual cups from a paper egg carton and trim one side so it curves outward like a horn.
     
     
  2. Paint the cups brown or tan and let them dry completely.
     
     
  3. Crumple small pieces of colorful tissue paper or scrap paper to look like vegetables, fruits, and leaves, and glue them spilling out of the opening of the cup.
     
     

3. Plastic Bottle Turkeys

Use clear plastic water bottles to make colorful, festive turkeys filled with treats.

• Recycled Materials: Clean, empty plastic water or soda bottles with caps.
  
  
• Supplies: Colorful feathers, foam sheets, googly eyes, double-sided tape, and candy corn or autumn-colored beads to fill the bottle.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Fill the clean bottle halfway with candy corn, pom-poms, or beads to give it weight and color.
     
     
  2. Tape or glue a fan of colorful feathers around the back of the bottle near the base.
     
     
  3. Cut out a turkey face from foam sheets (beak, wattle) and stick them onto the front of the bottle along with googly eyes.
     
     

4. Cardboard Box Thanksgiving Pie Slices

Slice up some pretend pie using leftover corrugated cardboard boxes.

• Recycled Materials: Corrugated cardboard boxes.
  
  
• Supplies: Tan, brown, and white paint or felt, cotton balls (for whipped cream), scissors, and glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut triangle wedges out of cardboard to represent slices of pumpkin or pecan pie.
     
     
  2. Paint the top and sides brown and tan to look like crust and filling, or wrap them in colored felt.
     
     
  3. Glue a fluffy white cotton ball or a crumpled piece of white paper onto the tip of each slice to act as a dollop of whipped cream.
     
     

5. Newspaper or Magazine Fall Leaf Garland

Weave colorful recycled magazines and circulars into a gorgeous rustic garland for your mantel.

• Recycled Materials: Old newspapers, magazines, or junk mail.
  
  
• Supplies: Fall-colored acrylic paints (orange, red, yellow, brown), twine or string, hole punch, and scissors.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Paint large leaf patterns directly onto newspaper pages using autumn colors and let dry.
     
     
  2. Cut out the painted leaf shapes.
     
     
  3. Punch a small hole near the stem of each leaf and string them along a piece of twine to create a hanging garland.
     
     

6. Metal lid Place Cards, glass coasters or Photo Frames

Create shiny, metallic mini pumpkins to mark seats at your Thanksgiving table.

• Recycled Materials: clean metal lids from jars or orange juice cans
  
  
• Supplies: Orange and green craft paint, heavy-duty scissors or snips (adult use), twine, and small slips of paper for names.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. For picture frames, clean lids and use as templates to trace around photos. Glue in to create frame.  
     
     
  2. For place cards, paint insides and outsides orange and add black horizontal stripes and pumpkin face. Cut a brown or green stem from recycled circular and glue to top. Write names along edge with paint pen. 
     
     
  3. For coasters, clean lid and  color with paint pens, a festive fall scene. 
     
     

7. Cereal Box Thankful Tree

Construct a family gratitude tree using sturdy cardboard from breakfast cereal boxes.

• Recycled Materials: Empty cereal boxes.
  
  
• Supplies: Brown marker or paint, fall-colored construction paper cut into leaf shapes, scissors, and a jar or base.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut a large tree trunk and branch silhouette out of the flat cardboard panels of a cereal box.
     
     
  2. Paint or color the cardboard brown. Stand it up in a jar filled with dried beans or stones.
     
     
  3. Have family members write what they are thankful for on paper leaves and glue or hang them from the branches.
     
     

8. Bottle Cap Pilgrim Hat Magnets

Repurpose metal bottle caps into adorable miniature pilgrim hats for the fridge.

• Recycled Materials: clean metal bottle caps, toothpaste caps, single serve creamer or K-cups 
  
  
• Supplies: Black acrylic paint, yellow craft foam or paper, small round magnets, and hot glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Paint cups or bottle caps entirely black and let them dry.
     
     
  2. Cut small squares out of black recycled cardboard (or paint it black) to act as the hat brim, and glue the painted bottle cap to the center of each square.
     
     
  3. Cut a tiny yellow square with a hollow center for the buckle and glue it to the front of the hat, then attach a magnet to the back.
     
     

9. Plastic Jug Indian Corn

Use translucent milk jugs to craft glowing decorative ears of harvest corn.

• Recycled Materials: Clean translucent plastic milk jugs.
  
  
• Supplies: Permanent markers in harvest colors (yellow, red, purple, brown), scissors, and green tissue paper.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut corn cob shapes out of the flat panels of a clear plastic milk jug.
     
     
  2. Use permanent markers to draw rows of colorful corn kernels across the plastic.
     
     
  3. Wrap the base of the plastic cob with green tissue paper or painted paper to look like corn husks.
     
     

10. Paper Bag Scarecrow Puppets

Turn brown paper lunch sacks into friendly harvest guardians.

• Recycled Materials: Brown paper lunch bags.
  
  
• Supplies: Scrap paper, yarn (for hair), markers, and leftover fabric scraps.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Use the bottom flap of the paper bag as the scarecrow's hat brim and head.
     
     
  2. Glue yarn strands under the flap for hair and draw a friendly face on the bag.
     
     
  3. Glue a small patch of scrap fabric onto the front of the bag shirt to complete the scarecrow look.
     
     

11. Cardboard Tube Napkin Rings

Dress up your holiday dinner table with customized, eco-friendly napkin holders.

• Recycled Materials: Cardboard paper towel rolls.
  
  
• Supplies: Burlap ribbon, twine, faux autumn leaves, scissors, and glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut the cardboard tube into 1.5-inch rings.
     
     
  2. Wrap each ring tightly with strips of burlap ribbon or twine, securing the ends with glue.
     
     
  3. Glue a small faux autumn leaf or paper acorn to the front center of each ring.
     
     

12. Tin Can Turkey Wind Chime

Upcycle kitchen cans into a musical holiday decoration for your porch.

• Recycled Materials: Clean tin cans of various sizes.
  
  
• Supplies: Acrylic paint, yarn, beads, a nail and hammer (for adult-made holes), and metal washers or small bells.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Paint the tin cans in bright autumn colors (orange, brown, yellow) and paint a turkey face on the largest can.
     
     
  2. Ask an adult to punch a small hole in the bottom of each can.
     
     
  3. Thread string through the cans, tying beads and small bells at the bottom to act as the clappers for the wind chime.
     
     

13. Egg Carton Acorns

Make a collection of rustic woodland acorns using simple egg carton cups.

• Recycled Materials: Paper egg cartons and real twigs or rolled paper stems.
  
  
• Supplies: Brown and tan paint, real acorn caps (optional), and glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut individual egg carton cones/cups to form the textured caps of acorns.
     
     
  2. Paint the cups brown and roll small balls of tan-painted aluminum foil or crumpled paper to form the acorn bases.
     
     
  3. Glue the paper base inside the egg carton cup and attach a small twig piece to the top as a stem.
     
     

14. Newspaper Turkey Centerpiece

Create a large, fluffy centerpiece for your holiday spread using recycled newsprint.

• Recycled Materials: Old newspapers and a small cardboard box or paper bowl.
  
  
• Supplies: Poster paint, colorful tissue paper scraps, scissors, and tape.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Crumple newspapers into a large ball for the turkey's body and a smaller ball for the head, securing them with tape.
     
     
  2. Cover the body balls with painted newspaper strips and colorful tissue paper feathers.
     
     
  3. Mount the turkey body onto a small inverted cardboard box base painted to look like a harvest table runner.
     
     

15. Magazine Mosaic Pumpkin

Design a vibrant textured pumpkin art piece using colorful pages from old magazines.

• Recycled Materials: Old glossy magazines and a piece of cardboard.
  
  
• Supplies: Scissors and glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Draw a large pumpkin outline onto a piece of recycled cardboard and cut it out.
     
     
  2. Tear or cut small square pieces of paper exclusively from the orange, yellow, and brown pages of old magazines.
     
     
  3. Glue the paper squares onto the cardboard pumpkin shape in a mosaic pattern, using brown pieces at the top for the stem.
     
     

16. Plastic Spoon Pilgrims Puppets

Transform disposable plastic spoons into a colorful bunch of harvest corn.

• Recycled Materials: Clean white plastic spoons (leftover from takeout or parties).
  
  
• Supplies: Sharpie permanent markers or better yet, paint pens in flesh tones, black tissues paper, and twine.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Use colorful permanent markers to draw a face on the plastic spoon
     
     
  2. Wrap tissue paper and twist to make arms and dress of pilgrim. 
     
     
  3. Tie in place with yarn. 
     
     

17. Glass Jar Autumn Luminary

Recycle glass jars into glowing table lights filled with autumn warmth.

• Recycled Materials: Clean glass jars (pasta sauce or jam jars).
  
  
• Supplies: Tissue paper squares (red, orange, yellow), Mod Podge or watered-down glue, a paintbrush, and a battery-operated tea light.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Brush a layer of Mod Podge onto the outside of the clean glass jar.
     
     
  2. Press overlapping tissue paper squares onto the jar until it is fully covered, then seal with another layer of glue over the top.
     
     
  3. Let it dry completely, tie a piece of twine around the rim, and place a battery-operated tea light inside to watch it glow.
     
     

18. Cardboard Box Mayflower Ship

Build a historical model of the Mayflower using pieces of shipping boxes.

• Recycled Materials: Cardboard shipping boxes and wooden skewers or thin twigs.
  
  
• Supplies: White paper (for sails), scissors, markers, and hot glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut a long, curved boat hull shape out of thick cardboard and build low sides using strips of box panels.
     
     
  2. Push wooden skewers or twigs vertically into the center of the boat to serve as masts.
     
     
  3. Cut white paper triangles, decorate them, and thread them onto the skewers to act as the ship's sails.
     
     

19. Bottle Cap Pumpkin Patch

Arrange flat metal bottle caps into a cute little patch of mini pumpkins.

• Recycled Materials: Metal bottle caps.
  
  
• Supplies: Orange spray paint or acrylic paint, green pipe cleaners, and a small piece of cardboard backing.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Paint the tops of several metal bottle caps vibrant orange and allow them to dry.
     
     
  2. Glue the painted caps closely together onto a small rectangular piece of cardboard backing.
     
     
  3. Twist small pieces of green pipe cleaners into curly tendrils and glue them on top of the caps to form pumpkin stems and vines.
     
     

20. Toilet Paper Roll Napkin Rings

Create quick, stylish napkin rings decorated with autumn foliage from the recycle bin.

• Recycled Materials: Empty toilet paper rolls.
  
  
• Supplies: Brown paper bags, markers, scissors, and glue.
  
  
• Instructions:
  
  
  1. Cut the toilet paper roll into 1-inch thick bands.
     
     
  2. Cut leaf shapes out of recycled brown paper grocery bags and color them with autumn markers.
     
     
  3. Glue the paper leaves onto the front of each cardboard band to create a charming, rustic napkin ring for your Thanksgiving table setting.