Trash to Treasure: 92 Recycled Crafts

By: Jaclyn Holtzman, Editor, AllFreeKidsCrafts.com

It's no question that crafting is fun, but if you choose the wrong projects, it can get expensive. Some crafts require a page-full of materials, which cost a fortune. Luckily, there's a crafting trend that keeps creating cheap: recycled crafts. Recycled projects can be made from anything in your recycling bin or garbage can. If you've outgrown a pair of jeans, recycle them! If you finished your bottle of water, recycle it! If your crayons have whittled down to stumps, recycle them! The list of recyclable items that can become craft supplies goes on and on, literally. Absolutely anything can be turned into a craft project. That's why it's up to you and your imagination to turn trash into treasure.

To get you started, AllFreeKidsCrafts has gathered 92 of the best recycled crafts that you can make right now. Gather your recycling bin contents, pick a project that inspires you, and get crafting. These projects will amaze you as you transform toilet paper rolls into owls, water bottles into squids, and cardboard into snowflakes.

These 92 recycled crafts vary greatly, guaranteeing that there's a project you can make from what's in your recycling bin. Most of the ideas are sorted by material for easy browsing. If you know your neighbor's recycling is overflowing with water bottles, go straight to those crafts. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Maybe you never use plastic, disposable water bottles, but you've recently grown a ton and have five pairs of jeans ready to be thrown out. Use those to create a unique craft that won't cost a dime.

Trash to Treasure: 92 Recycled Crafts
Table of Contents

Cheap and Easy Crafts for Kids: 9 Recycled Crafts

Craft Green: 26 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids

Readers' Favorite Recycled Crafts for Kids

Recycled Crafts: Kids' Crafts With Bottles and What to Make With Bottle Caps

What to Do With CDs: 9 Recycled Crafts from Household Items

What to Make with Old Jeans: 13 Denim Crafts

Cheap and Easy Crafts for Kids: 9 Recycled Crafts

Hopping on the recycled crafts bandwagon can only benefit you and your piggy bank. There are budget-friendly project ideas for all ages in this collection of printable tutorials. Make costumes for Halloween or for your dress-up bin that cost nothing, and make good use of egg cartons after you've gobbled up their contents. Your own trash can be your own treasure when you keep this guide to cheap crafts by your side.

Craft Green: 26 Toilet Paper Roll Crafts for Kids

Try not to giggle when you remember that your adorable Rudolph ornament is made from a toilet paper roll. The same cardboard tube that helps you out in the bathroom is going to help you make the coolest recycled crafts. Not only can these funny craft supplies decorate for the holidays, but they can also help you get organized (which Mom will love!) Craft your favorite animals, prepare for the holidays, and even learn with what was formerly known as your toilet paper holder.

Readers' Favorite Recycled Crafts for Kids

Find out why these recycled crafts are number one. They're made from old t-shirts, used cardboard, and read newspaper. Once you've finished laughing your head off at the Sunday comics, don't toss them, but use the pages to make an awesome animal sculpture. The coolest part about these recycled crafts is that they look anything but trashy. They're crafts that will be treasured.

Recycled Crafts: Kids' Crafts With Bottles and What to Make With Bottle Caps

Despite ambitions to be environmentally friendly, it seems almost impossible to avoid plastic bottles. If avoiding them entirely can't be done, we might as well reuse the bottles and their caps to make fabulous art projects that are sure to wow. It's a wonderful thing that there are ideas to use every part of a bottle or jar so that nothing goes to waste. Explore these 25+ crafts that will show you what to make with bottle caps, bottles, jars, and jar lids. Reduce your footprint simply by crafting!

What to Do With CDs: 9 Recycled Crafts from Household Items

Crafting from recycled items doesn't only help the environment and your wallet, but it can also clear up clutter in your home. Mom and Dad will be more than happy when you ask to craft with their old CDs. You'll be creating something great and tidying up at the same time.

What to Make with Old Jeans: 13 Denim Crafts

You can't help that you're a growing kid, so you should take advantage of the fact by crafting with your outgrown clothes. Denim looks a lot better holding your pencils than it does in your garbage can. Turn what some see as trash to treasure, and you'll have your whole room decorated without spending a dime.