Invention Convention
Students will discover Leonardo da Vinci’s inventive ideas as they invent a new machine for the 21st century.
Ages: 8-11 yrs
Grades: Grades 3-5
Levels: Junior
Recycling and Upcycling Art Ideas
Find inspiration in the recycle bin as you learn how to make musical instruments from flower pots, gargoyles from coffee trays and relief carvings from drywall. These lesson plans and ideas will inspire you to reduce, reuse and recycle!
Juice Bottle Penguin Sculptures
Students can make penguins using paper mache pulp and recycled drinking bottles.
Grades: K-2, Grades 3-5
Kids Art Note Cards
You can recycle children’s artwork to create one of a kind note cards.
Ages: 2-5 yrs, 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs
Grades: Preschool, K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Levels: ECE, Primary, Junior, Middle School
Leaf People
Students will use leaves and twigs to create leaf people.
Grades: Preschool, K-2, Grades 3-5
Louise Nevelson Assemblages
Students will discover the art of Louise Nevelson as they enjoy making art out of recycled materials, or “junk”.
Ages: 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs, 14 yrs+
Grades: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Levels: Junior, Middle School, High School
Love Notes Kids Can Make
Make homemade Valentine’s Day messages using recycled items from around the house.
Magazine Mosaic Pot
This is a lovely garden-inspired craft that teaches kids about recycling.
Magazine Mosaics
Students will use torn and cut up pieces of magazine pages to create colorful (and in some cases, complex) paper mosaics.
Ages: 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs
Grades: K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Levels: Primary, Junior, Middle School
Make a Chinese Gong
A gong is an East and South East Asian musical percussion instrument that takes the form of a flat metal disc which is hit with a mallet. Find out how to make one using simple, household materials.
Ages: 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs, 14 yrs+
Grades: K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Levels: Primary, Junior, Middle School, High School
Make a Didgeridoo
Make a didgeridoo using plumbing pipe or wrapping paper tubes.
Ages: 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs
Grades: K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Levels: Primary, Junior, Middle School
Make a Snake
Students will use cups and pantyhose to make snakes!
Make a Sticker Shekere
A shekere is a musical instrument that is shaken, tossed or moved from hand to hand. Find out how to make one using a recycled milk carton.
Ages: 2-5 yrs, 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs
Grades: Preschool, K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Levels: ECE, Primary, Junior, Middle School
Make Tiny Boats
Looking for an fun way to create a fabulous floating mini-ship? Even if you don’t live by the sea, you can still have fun in the bathtub or kitchen sink with these clever walnut (or egg carton cup) tiny boats.
Making Handmade Paper
Students will make their own paper using recycled materials.
Maracas (Recycled Objects)
Find out how to make maracas out of bottles and toilet paper rolls.
Ages: 2-5 yrs, 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs
Grades: Preschool, K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Levels: ECE, Primary, Junior, Middle School
Media Collages
Students can use magazines to create media collages that make a statement.
Grades: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8
Levels: Junior, Middle School
Milk Carton Birdhouse
A lovely one-season birdhouse made from recycled household materials.
Milk Carton Houses
A fun architectural activity that makes use of materials normally thrown in the garbage.
Grades: K-2, Grades 3-5
Milk Carton Pencil Holder
Recycle a milk carton to create a place to hold pens, pencils, crayons, paintbrushes and more.
Mini Vases
Students will create mini vases by using recycled paper or plastic drinking cups.
Mosaic Flower Pots
This is an easy way to create a mosaic flower pot, without having to use tile grout.
Muffin Liner Flowers Craft
Little ones can make flowers using muffin liners, glitter glue and buttons.
Ages: 2-5 yrs
Grades: Preschool
Levels: ECE
Paint Can Halloween Creatures
Make creepy or cute critters out of old paint cans!
Ages: 5-8 yrs, 8-11 yrs, 11-14 yrs, 14 yrs+
Grades: K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Grades 9-12
Levels: Primary, Junior, Middle School, High School
Paper Bag Kites
Children can create kites using grocery bags and paints.
Paper Plate Bird Feeder
Use a paper plate and paper towel roll to create a homemade bird feeder.
