In preparation for Earth Day, we practiced thinking of creative ways we could reuse items. I set up this open ended art and craft activity mainly for my 5 year old daughter, but my 3 year old son also joined in on the fun. They spent hours creating with cardboard, scraps, recycling, broken trinkets and other supplies I found in the basement.
Some of the items I included in our Creation Station were:
- cardboard
- paper scraps
- stickers
- ribbons
- fabric scraps
- buttons
- pipecleaners
- wood embellishments
- corks
- broken wheels, fasteners and other pieces
- sequins
- washi tape
- fasteners
- recycling pieces (e.g., bubble wrap)
- paint
- paint sticks
- glue
- scissors
My daughter’s favourite items items to decorate were empty Grapat Mandala boxes, while my son made a folded piece of cardboard into a barn roof.
New and untraditional materials really seemed to spark creativity. The kids loved this “no rules” creating so much that I think I’m going to find a way to incorporate some of these supplies into our everyday arts and craft supplies.