21+ Easy Upcycled Craft Projects for Kids
Looking for a fun way to get creative with your kids and use up things you already have at home? These 21+ easy upcycled craft projects are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and even big kids who love hands-on fun.
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From cardboard rolls to bottle caps, you’ll be amazed at what everyday items can turn into. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick afternoon project or a rainy day activity, these simple DIY ideas are a great way to keep little hands busy and imaginations growing.
Be sure to also see our 21+ Easy DIY Popsicle Stick Crafts for Kids and these 19+ Easy Weather Crafts for Kids, Toddlers, and Preschool.
🌟Don’t Leave Before You Check Out These Fun Ideas!🌟
DIY Fish Aquarium Popsicle Craft
Turn popsicle sticks and scrap paper into an adorable underwater scene. This DIY Fish Aquarium Popsicle Craft is a creative way to reuse basic craft supplies while giving kids a fun mini project that doubles as a pretend play prop or room decor.
Toilet Paper Roll Boat Craft
Set sail on a wave of imagination. This Toilet Paper Roll Boat Craft is perfect for summer afternoons and uses up those empty cardboard rolls in the best way—by turning them into colorful, float-worthy creations.
Easy Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft
This Easy Octopus Toilet Paper Roll Craft is a splash of ocean-themed fun. With just a few snips and some vibrant paint, kids can create their own sea creature using nothing more than a toilet paper roll and a little imagination.
Toilet Paper Roll Robot Craft
Upcycle your way to another galaxy with this creative twist on robotics. The Toilet Paper Roll Robot Craft turns plain cardboard tubes into imaginative characters with buttons, gears, and googly eyes galore.
Zoo Animal Crafts by The Best Ideas for Kids
Even though newspapers aren’t as common as they once were, they still turn up now and then. If you have a few lying around, put them to good use by making these adorable zoo animals using the printable template.
Toilet Paper Roll Plant Craft
Bring a little greenery indoors—without the watering. This Toilet Paper Roll Plant Craft is a sweet and simple project that lets kids craft their own potted plant using upcycled materials and a little paint magic.
Toilet Paper Roll Rocket Craft
Blast off into creativity. This Toilet Paper Roll Rocket Craft is the perfect rainy day or space-themed activity, using simple recycled supplies to create a craft that’s ready for imaginary liftoff.
Pirate Treasure Chest Egg Carton Craft by Messy Little Monster
With how pricey eggs have gotten lately, it makes sense to use every part, even the carton. This craft turns it into a charming little treasure chest, perfect for storing tiny treasures and pretending to be a pirate.
Caterpillar Suncatcher by Fireflies & Mud Pies
Store-bought Play-Doh is fun, but eventually the colors get mixed, the lids are left off, and it dries out. Instead of tossing everything, hang on to those old lids for this cheerful suncatcher craft.
How to Make a Bird Feeder Out of a Plastic Bottle by Natural Beach Living
No matter how responsible one tries to be, single-use plastics are just about impossible to avoid, especially for parents. Making a bird feeder out of a drink bottle and some plastic spoons is a great way to repurpose some of the plastics and help nature at the same time.
Toilet Paper Roll Houses by Finding Myself Young
Toilet paper rolls tend to stack up in any household, and they usually just get thrown away. But there are plenty of ways to give them new life, such as combining them with old egg cartons to make little cardboard houses that are perfect for play time.
Toilet Paper Roll Seedling Pots by The Forked Spoon
Toilet paper tubes make excellent starter pots for seedlings. With the right care and watering, seeds can grow right in the tubes and then be planted directly into the soil making the transplant process gentler on young plants.
DIY Piggy Bank with Tin Can by Little Ladoo
Piggy banks are a great way to encourage saving behavior in kids, and they’re just plain cute. Turning an empty tin can into a piggy bank is a fun project that gives the child a bank that will last.
Egg Carton Art on Canvas by Mod Podge Rocks
Egg cartons have so many uses, it’s hard to believe. For example, this craft turns the egg cups into a sweet bouquet of flowers.
Recycled CD Ladybugs by Crafts by Amanda
There was a time when CDs were precious, and a single scratch on the back of one could spell disaster. Nowadays, most people don’t even know where their CDs are, but if any are handy, they are the perfect shape for these adorable little felt ladybugs.
Coffee Can Drums Craft by Kids Activities Blog
Kids love turning anything cylindrical into a drum, from containers to cans in the pantry. This craft transforms old coffee cans into real drums, giving kids a fun way to make music whenever they like.
Toilet Paper Roll Car Craft by A Little Pinch of Perfect
Another great use for toilet paper tubes is for little play cars, the perfect size for small action figures or dolls. As a bonus, the lids to apple sauce pouches are just the right size for the wheels.
Cereal Box Puppet Theatre by Red Ted Art
An old cereal box undergoes a magical transformation in this craft. With a little help, kids can transform the box into a theater for a puppet show and even use the excess cardboard to make some puppets.
Adventure Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars by Fox Farm Home
Kids just love binoculars, but they tend to be too expensive and fragile to make a good plaything. These toilet paper tube play binoculars are the perfect answer to that problem.
DIY Glowing Fireflies by ConservaMom
These little glowing fireflies are just too cute for words. Plus, they offer a perfect use for those plastic eggs that just seem to accrue every Easter.
Toilet Paper Roll Tulips by Rock Your Homeschool
Need a good springtime decoration that the kids can help out with? These toilet paper roll tulips are a fun, simple craft that only requires toilet paper rolls, paint, and scissors.
Squeeze ‘n’ Croak Frog Craft by Kids Craft Room
This upcycled craft takes a little extra effort but the end result is more than worth it. Kids will love this adorable frog made from old jar lids, and the best part is it actually croaks when you give it a squeeze.
DIY Toilet Paper Tube Toy Car Garage by Mama Cheaps
Any parent of kids who love Matchbox or Hot Wheels cars knows how tricky they are to keep organized and how perfectly they fit inside a toilet paper tube. That’s what makes this toilet paper tube car garage such a fun and practical upcycled craft for kids.
Toilet Paper Roll Spider Craft by Living Life & Learning
Need a quick, easy craft to do with the kids? Grab a toilet paper roll, some scissors, black paint, and googly eyes to make these silly, fun little spiders.
Bluey Craft with Toilet Paper Rolls by The Soccer Mom Blog
Most parents are familiar with Bluey, and those who aren’t really should catch up. Kids will be thrilled to turn an old toilet paper tube into their favorite cartoon dog.
Egg Carton Ice Cream Cones by In the Playroom
Egg cartons provide plenty of crafting opportunities, from the cups to the peaked cones. With a few pom poms in different sizes and colors, they make perfect ice cream cone crafts.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who’s tired of stepping on broken crayons, these projects are a great way to turn “trash” into treasure. So grab those cereal boxes and bottle caps, and let’s get crafting (and saving the planet while we’re at it)!
