Tracy Tristram

Jan 7, 20223 min

Trash to treasure: Upcycling ideas for kids of all ages

What day is it? What's the date? Who knows: we've lost all track. What we haven't lost track of though is a host of activities for kids to keep busy with. So, without further ado, get ready to turn your trash into treasure with this easy guide packed with upcycling ideas for kids of all ages.

Create a garden in your old shoes

Take a big step into the world of upcycling by turning old shoes into mini gardens and planters. We might as well put those old heels to good use seeing as we live in slippers these days! Gardening Know How has a great guide to lots of shoes-to-garden transformations.

Move your fairies into a milk carton

Photography: Coffee Cups and Crayons

We've already given you lots of gardening projects for kids, but add to the green-fingered magic by turning an old milk carton into a dinky abode for the tooth fairy and her pals. Head over to Coffeecups and Crayons for the magical instructions.

Create a pencil case out of a plastic bottle

Photography: Make It Love It

We can't wait to whip up these super cool, no-sew zipper cases by Make It Love It.

Light up your cans

Photography: Elise Engh Studios

With the end result sure to jazz up the kiddo's room a treat, these uber pretty tin can lanterns make for a lovely upcycling activity. Elise Engh Studios has easy-to-follow instructions.

Get into cardboard real estate

Photography: Say Yes

If the kids are going a little stir crazy in the house, build them a new one! Follow instructions by Say Yes for your very own dream cardboard home.

Turn your old jeans into a bag

Use the New Year as an excuse to get round to clearing out the closets, making sure to keep an eye out for an old pair of jeans. Then get your tween/teen type to turn said denim into a spiffy new bag. Check out easy instructions by Cut Out and Keep. Those jeans will fit better as a bag anyway...

Cause a candle in a tea cup storm

Vintage candle-y charm. Photography: Inhabitat

Older kids getting on your wick with their cries of boredom? Tip your teens out of bed and keep them busy with this adorable tea cup candle craft by Inhabitat.

Scale new craft heights with bottle cap fish

Photography: I Heart Crafty Things

Here's a fun craft project that your little minnows can get on board with: bottle cap fish. Get the instructions over at I Heart Crafty Things, and then dive in with this cute upcycling idea.

Organise your earrings

Photography: Smart 'n' Snazzy

Listen up! Here's a great mummy-and-kid project that's fun AND useful: turn old shoe boxes into earring organisers. Head over to Smart 'n' Snazzy for smart 'n' snazzy instructions.

Bring a rainbow to your day

Photography: Life With Love Bugs

Dig out your old CDs and let the kiddos turn them into a mini science experiment. Head over the rainbow to this tutorial by Life With Love Bugs for the instructions.

Avoid hissy fits with a crafty activity

Photography: Brassy Apple

Slither over to Brassy Apple for the deets on how to make a washi tape toilet roll snake: fuss-free pet AND fun-packed craft-ernoon sorted. And when you're done with your snake, we've got a guide to 20 more toilet roll craft ideas ready for you!

Like this story? Why not check out:

Mindfulness for families

Sensory play ideas for little ones

Free printable: indoor scavanger hunt

Free printable: outdoor scavenger hunt

Craft, craft and more craft ideas

Easy recipes to bake with kids

Don't forget to also follow us for more adventures and things to do in London with kids over on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

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