5 Easy Preschool Crafts Using Recycled Materials

As parents and teachers, we are always looking for activities that are engaging, educational, environmentally friendly, emotional, cost-effective and etc. One of the best ways to do creativity in preschoolers is with crafts using recycled materials. These activities not only foster creativity but also teach kids a lesson about reusing and having a love and concern for the world very early in their lives.

Here are 5 creative, easy and green craft ideas for your preschooler to enjoy.

1. Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

Materials:

• 2 empty toilet paper rolls
• Glue or tape
• String or yarn
• Stickers or paint for decoration

Steps:

1. Line up the two rolls and tape or glue them together side by side.
2. Punch a small hole in each roll and tie a string, then the kids can hang it around their neck.
3. Decorate with paint, stickers, or even other things you prefer.

Learning Benefits:

• Encourages imaginative play (“jungle explorer,” “pirate,” or “bird watcher”).
• Strengthens fine motor skills while decorating.

Variation: Turn it into a colour scavenger hunt. Paint each roll a different colour, then let kids look through them and find objects around the house or yard that match.

2. Egg Carton Caterpillar

Materials:

• 1 cardboard egg carton
• Child-safe paint
• Pipe cleaners or paper strips (for antennae)
• Googly eyes (or drawn-on eyes)

Steps:

1. Cut a strip of 4–6 egg cups from the carton.
2. Paint each section in bright colours.
3. Poke two holes in the front cup and insert pipe cleaners for antennae.
4. Add googly eyes or draw a friendly face.

Learning Benefits:

• Builds creativity and self-expression.
• Offers an opportunity to talk about insects, life cycles, and nature.

Variation: Create other creatures like ladybugs, turtles, or a beehive from egg cartons.

3. Bottle Cap Stamps

Materials:

• Plastic bottle caps
• Foam shapes or cut-out sponges
• Washable paint
• Paper

Steps:

1. Glue foam shapes (stars, hearts, triangles, etc.) to the flat side of each bottle cap.
2. Dip the caps in paint and press them onto paper to make colourful prints.
3. Create patterns, borders, or wrapping paper designs.

Learning Benefits:

• Enhances shape recognition and pattern making.
• Strengthens hand-eye coordination.

Variation: Use alphabet foam stickers for a fun letter-stamping activity, great for early literacy.

4. Cereal Box Puzzle

Materials:

• An empty cereal box
• Scissors
• Markers or crayons (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut off the front panel of a cereal box.
2. Draw puzzle-like shapes on the back and cut them out.
3. Mix them up and let your child put the puzzle together.

Learning Benefits:

• Increase problem-solving and logical thinking.
• Builds memory and focus skills.

Variation: Instead of one puzzle, make a set of themed puzzles (animals, vehicles, or favourite characters) from different boxes.

5. Plastic Bottle Planter

Materials:

• 1 plastic bottle
• Scissors (adult use only)
• Soil and seeds (beans, herbs, or flowers)
• Child-safe paint

Steps:

1. Cut the bottle in half (adults should handle this part).
2. Have your preschooler decorate the outside with paint or markers.
3. Fill the bottom half with soil and let your child plant seeds.
4. Place it near sunlight and water regularly.

Learning Benefits:

• Teaches responsibility and care through watering.
• Provides a hands-on introduction to plant life cycles.

Variation: Try growing beans in clear bottles so children can watch the roots develop, an exciting science experiment for little ones.

Extra Tips for Parents & Teachers

• Always supervise preschoolers with scissors, glue, and paint.
• Need to focus on the process, not the final product. Kids learn via creativity and play.
• Keep a “craft box” of recyclables (toilet rolls, caps, cartons, scrap paper) so you always have supplies ready.
• Use these activities to introduce themes (e.g., caterpillar craft during a bug lesson, planter during Earth Day).