It is great to get kids involved in going green. In this way they can learn responsibility and feel empowered to make the world a better place all at once. Recycling is a great area that kids can help with to see tangible results for their efforts. Today, I will share several recycling projects for kids. From small recycling activities to get them recycling at home to bigger recycling projects like helping to start or lead recycling projects for their school, there are lots of ways to make a difference. These are fun ways for teaching kids about going green from recycling projects for school students to recycling activities for kids at home.
By engaging in these projects, your child will not only become more aware of the impact of waste on the environment but will also develop crucial problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They will learn to think outside the box, repurpose materials, and increase awareness for recycling.
Teaching Kids About Recycling
Chores are an important way for children to learn about responsibility, working together as a family, and earning and managing money. Recycling chores offer the added benefit of teaching your child about going green and conserving resources.
My children have always been involved in recycling in our house. Since my kids were old enough to toddle over to the trash can, I have been instructing them. “That is plastic. It can be recycled and they can make new plastic out of it.” They quickly learned what could be put in the recycling bin and what could be put in the trash. Additionally, they learned what things are made out of.
The other day my five-year-old son said, “Mommy, I like these and I want them to make more, so I will put it in the recycling bin.” It makes me feel great to know they think about recycling as a way of making more of what they like and saving things they love, like trees.
When the whole family is involved in daily recycling, it keeps us all on our toes. My daughter will sometimes catch my husband in the act of throwing away a recyclable and she lets him know. My kids also come with me to drop off our recycling. Therefore, they know exactly what goes where and how the collection process works. They understand that instead of throwing things into the trash to be buried in landfills, they can make a better choice. They can have it recycled with reduces trash and saves natural resources.
You may also wish to share some recycling facts for kids to help get them even more excited about recycling. It is a great way to start some deeper conversations with your older kids.
Recycling Activities For Kids That Increase Recycling And Awareness
Weekly Household Recycling Sorting
Now that my kids are 5 and 7, I have put them in charge of recycling duties in our house. They are going beyond daily participation and helping me do the weekly sorting of the recycling into plastic, paper, cardboard, glass and cans. I still supervise the process because my youngest needs a little guidance. You may choose to give your child a small allowance based on the amount of help he or she is giving, or let the children collect the deposit money if your state is one that participates in that program.
Recycling chores are great for giving children a real understanding of responsibility. The importance of going green is also made clear to a child when they begin to see how all of our waste adds up in our recycling bin by the end of the week and also in the community drop off area. Recycling is a chore that provides satisfaction by contributing in a valuable way to the house and to the community.
If you are lucky enough to have curbside pickup that does not require sorting in your area, children can still be responsible for taking the indoor recycling bin outside to your larger receptacle and then down to the curb.
Community Involvement
Older kids may also enjoy signing on to Recyclebank.com, the recycling rewards program. By creating an account and reporting recycling, they can earn points for groceries and other household goods. Recycle Bank also host Recycling Challenges, on occasion, where communities can compete to increase their recycling participation rate. There is lots of educational information to inspire your child and let them feel the good of community recycling.
Start Recycling Projects for School
One of my favorite recycling projects for kids is to help them organize a recycling project at their school. This is an excellent way for them to learn they can make a difference as an individual and leverage that. They are capable of influencing their community to make greener choices too! The school recycling project should be age specific. Younger children can work at a classroom-level while older children can get involved in school-wide projects.
A recycling project can be as simple as working to collect items at school that can be given to your local recycling center. For younger children, you can talk to their teacher about starting a paper recycling box for the classroom.
An older child may want to speak to their teachers themselves and recruit a helper from each classroom in their grade. Your child can be the one to introduce the concept to the class and provide helpful reminders to classmates about the new recycling project. Set a limit for the length of the project. Or with a little help from you and the school the recycling project can become a permanent legacy that your child can leave!
Another option is to start a school recycling project for items that your area recycling center does not recycle but that Terracycle does recycle.. This type of school recycling project can be organized in the same way, but it would focus on different items. For example, you may set up boxes for collecting anything from old cell phones to foil juice packets.
Helping your child start a classroom or school-wide recycling project is not only eco-friendly but also teaches them a lot about being a leader and a responsible citizen. It is a great way to let your child get leadership experience.
Make Recycling Containers
Making recycling containers is another fun recycling project for kids. It is a great way to make recycling more accessible throughout the house. In the home they be used to store used to store tin cans, cereal boxes, cardboard tubes, or plastic water bottles. They also make great gifts for classrooms and libraries to store printer paper, construction paper, and other recyclable materials. Here is a chalkboard paint project tutorial.
Make Recycling Murals
If your kids are artistic they may love this recycling project- create a recycling mural or recycling sideway chalk art. It is a great way to inspire others to get involved in recycling and pass on the excitement.
Recycling Projects That Unleash Your Child’s Inner Inventor
In a world that is increasingly focused on consumption and disposal, it’s important to instill in our children a sense of environmental responsibility. And what better way to do that than through hands-on, creative projects that turn trash into treasure? From building cardboard castles to designing recycled fashion exhibitions, we will delve into a variety of amazing recycling projects that will captivate your child’s attention and spark their imagination.
Cardboard Castle
If you have a stack of cardboard boxes that need recycling, here is a project to give them more use first. With just a few simple materials and a whole lot of creativity, your child can transform ordinary cardboard boxes into their very own majestic castle. The magic begins with a plan. Once the blueprint is complete, it’s time to gather the materials.
Large boxes can be used for the main structure, while smaller ones can become turrets and towers. Don’t forget to save some extra cardboard for details like windows and doors. These can be easily cut out and attached later on. Help your child assemble the main structure of the castle using tape or non-toxic glue. This is a great opportunity for them to practice problem-solving skills and learn about spatial relationships. As they build, they’ll begin to see their vision take shape, and their excitement will only grow.
Once the main structure is complete, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Encourage your child to get creative with paint, markers, or colored paper to decorate the castle. They can add flags, banners, or even a moat made from blue construction paper. The possibilities are endless! Their cardboard castle is not just a plaything, but a testament to their imagination, resourcefulness, and environmental consciousness. It’s a reminder that with a little ingenuity, we can transform waste into something truly extraordinary.
Upcycled Fashion Designer
Your child can become a fashion designer by upcycling old clothes and crafting a recycled clothing fashion show that showcases their unique style. Prepare to be amazed at the innovative outfits and accessories they can create using items that might have otherwise been destined for the landfill. By repurposing old clothes and transforming them into unique pieces, they can not only express their individual style but also make a positive impact on the environment.
To get started, invite your child to go through their wardrobe and select a few items that they have outgrown or that could use a stylish transformation. Old t-shirts can be turned into trendy tank tops, jeans can be cut and distressed to create fashionable shorts, and even worn-out sweaters can be given a new lease on life as cozy scarves or hats. This is their chance to let their creativity shine and design one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect their personality and unique sense of style.
As their upcycled fashion collection starts taking shape, it’s time to think about showcasing their creations to the world. Why not organize a recycled fashion show? This could be a fun and inspiring way for your child to share their innovative designs and raise awareness about the importance of recycling and sustainability.
Transform a corner of your home into an exhibition space, complete with a makeshift runway, mannequins, and display boards describing the inspiration behind each outfit. Invite family and friends to attend the exhibition, and encourage your child to explain their creative process and how they repurposed each item. This not only boosts their confidence but also allows them to promote the environmental benefits of upcycling.
Junkyard Orchestra
Imagine the symphony of sounds your child can create using everyday items that would otherwise end up in the trash. With a little bit of creativity and resourcefulness, they can transform discarded objects into unique musical instruments. From drums made out of tin cans to guitars crafted from cardboard boxes and rubber bands, the possibilities are endless.
Encourage your child to think outside the box and experiment with different materials and shapes. They can fashion a xylophone using glass bottles filled with varying levels of water, or construct a flute from a plastic straw. By finding new uses for old items, your child will not only develop their musical talents but also gain a deeper appreciation for the power of recycling.
DIY Eco-Friendly Toys
Using simple materials like toilet paper rolls, plastic bottles, and cardboard boxes, your child can transform these items into imaginative playthings that are both fun and environmentally friendly. From building robots out of old electronics to constructing dollhouses from cardboard, the possibilities for DIY eco-friendly toys are endless.
Encouraging your child to create their own eco-friendly toys not only ignites their imagination but also instills a deep appreciation for the importance of recycling. They will learn to think critically, problem-solve, and tap into their resourcefulness as they repurpose items that would have otherwise ended up in the trash. This hands-on experience teaches them valuable lessons about the value of waste reduction and reminds them that even the smallest actions can make a big impact on the planet.
Recycled Art
Art projects using art materials from the recycling bin or trash can make for cool eco-friendly art. All kinds discarded items like old cds, bubble wrap, plastic bags, plastic bottle caps, paper towel rolls, old egg cartons, plastic milk cartons, and old newspapers can find a starring role in recycled art. The display of the recycled art projects can also help raise awareness and inspire future generations.
Conclusion
These amazing recycling projects offer a powerful opportunity to unleash your child’s inner inventor, while instilling a lifelong commitment to repurposing and reducing waste. Through building cardboard castles, designing upcycled fashion, creating a junkyard orchestra, making eco-friendly toys, and crafting with natural materials, you can nurture their creativity, teach them the importance of environmental responsibility, and make lasting memories together. So, don’t delay – gather your materials, ignite their imagination, and embark on a world of wonder and learning today. As Albert Einstein once said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Let your child’s imagination soar, and together, let’s create a brighter, more sustainable future.
Having your child pitch in with the recycling chores is a great way to pass on your passion for being green. Sharing with the next generation a look at the way in which we can use recycled materials will help give them purpose. Do your kids help you go green? Which one of these recycling projects for kids do you think they will enjoy most?
Related Posts:
Inspiring Sustainable Green Living Ideas
Robin says
Great tips! I especially love getting the kids more involved at school. We recycle at home, but I know not every has caught on yet…..