We all want to do what we can to make our planet safer for future generations.
And one of the easiest things we can do now is to recycle materials we no longer need. Every time we reuse something, we save it from the landfill for a bit longer.
And that’s always a good thing.
Today I’m sharing over 25 easy recycled craft ideas for kids to make!
These are fantastic for in-class projects or parents who want to make crafts with their kids at home!
And they all make use of materials that can be reused, so they’re a wonderful introduction to the idea of recycling and repurposing too.
Read on to see the full list.
And be sure to take a look at our Coffee Filter Earth Craft if you’re looking for more Earth Day ideas!
What You Need to Try These Easy Recycled Craft Ideas for Kids
Most of these crafts use materials you likely already have, such as paper towel and tissue paper rolls.
Here are some other recycled materials that are good for making recycled crafts:
- Empty plastic bottles
- Cardboard (whole or scrap)
- Compact discs
In most cases, as long as the recycled material is clean, you can use it as a base for a craft project.
How to Use Recycled Craft Ideas with Students
Many of these recycled crafts feature animals, so they’d make a great project for a science unit such as zoo animals, the forest, or winter.
You can also use any of these as a craft project for an Earth Day or a recycling unit. Invite your students to save recyclables from home and bring them in to participate!
Recycled Crafts Books for Kids
Would you like even more ways to make use of recycled materials with young learners?
Here are a few books with plenty of kids’ crafts that use recyclables too! (Affiliate links are listed below. For details, see our Disclosure Policy.)
- Cardboard Creations: Open-Ended Exploration with Recycled Materials
- Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials: 60 Cool Projects that Reimagine Paper Rolls, Egg Cartons, Jars and More
- Low-Mess Crafts for Kids: 72 Projects to Create Your Own Magical Worlds
- Cardboard Creations for Kids: 50 Fun and Inventive Crafts Using Recycled Materials
Get a look at the full list of easy recycled crafts below!
Try these simple craft ideas for kids too!