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Crafts

Recycled Valentine Crafts for Kids

January 9, 2020 By Terri Thompson

We love to use recycled materials when we make crafts.

It just seems much less wasteful to use a few things before they get thrown out.

Here are some awesome recycled Valentine crafts that all use an item or two from the recycle bin. Grab those old newspapers, cardboard boxes, and scraps of paper. It’s time to start crafting!

Awesome recycled Valentine crafts for kids, tween, and teens.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Recycled Valentine Crafts for Kids

I love using recycled materials for crafts. It’s less wasteful because you’re using materials instead of throwing them away. And, it saves money and a trip to the store for extra craft supplies.

These simple Valentines crafts are all pretty and fun. You’re kids will love them!

So, rummage in the recycle bin and grab some supplies.

What Recycled Materials Should You Keep?

Keep anything cardboard, such as old packing boxes, cereal boxes, and even cardboard tubes.

Also, newspaper, magazines, and paper scraps are good for craft projects.

Finally, keep some things that can’t be recycled, but can be reused such as old cd’s and bubble wrap.

All of these things are great for craft projects.

Recycled Valentine Crafts

Check your recycle bin for supplies to make these cute and fun Recycled Valentine crafts for kids.

Silly Heart Puppet Valentine Craft

These fun puppets use recycled cardboard and are great for toddlers and preschoolers.

Heart-Stamped Valentines

Use recycled materials to stamp your hearts on these fun and pretty notecards.

Heart Collage Valentines Cards

Raid the recycle bin to find all sorts of supplies to make these pretty heart collages.

Monochromatic Collage Valentine's Day Art

Recycled materials provide the base for this pretty monochromatic art project.

Easy Valentine’s Day Collage Hearts Art Activity

Photo Credit: artscrackers.com

Cut up your magazines before you recycle them to make these fun collage hearts.

Recycled CD Valentines Day Craft for Preschoolers

Photo Credit: www.craftsonsea.co.uk

Do you have a bunch of old cd's that you don't know what to do with? How about turning them into this pretty Valentine's craft.

How to Make a Valentine Box Robot

Photo Credit: b-inspiredmama.com

Turn an old tissue box into a super-cute Valentine robot.

Milk Carton Valentines Houses for Kids to Make

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

Take old milk cartons and turn them into a fun little Valentine's village.

Heart Valentine Holder

Photo Credit: buggyandbuddy.com

Cut up an old grocery bag to make a simple Valentine holder.

Rag Heart Ornaments with Pipe Cleaners and Fabric Strips

Photo Credit: happyhooligans.ca

Use up your fabric scraps to make these pretty rag heart ornaments.

Newspaper Heart Garland

Photo Credit: www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Cut up your newspaper before it hits the recycle bin to make this pretty heart garland.

Bubble Wrap Printed Hearts

Photo Credit: rainydaymum.co.uk

Before you toss your bubble wrap, use it for this fun printmaking project.

DIY Yarn Wrapped Letters for Valentine's

Photo Credit: rainydaymum.co.uk

Cut up an old cardboard box to make these pretty yarn wrapped letters.

Recycled Cardboard Heart Decorations

Photo Credit: www.artycraftykids.com

Or, you can use the cardboard box to make these pretty heart decorations.

Simple Kid Made Owl Valentines

Photo Credit: www.kitchencounterchronicle.com

Don't throw out those empty cardboard tubes! Instead, use them to make these cute owl Valentines.

Which of these recycled Valentine crafts are you going to try with your kids?

Will it be the newspaper garland, the Silly Heart Puppets, or something else?

Check your recycle bin for supplies to make these cute and fun Recycled Valentine crafts for kids. You'll want to make them all!

You May Also Like One of These Valentine Activities:

Get out the watercolors to make these pretty Coffee Filter Valentine Heart Suncatcher

Make use of heart doilies when you try this Measuring with Hearts math activity.

It’s so easy to set up a Simple Valentine Card Making Station and your kids can make Valentines for all their family and friends.

No-Sew Valentine Pencil Toppers make a fun Valentine gift that you kids can make for all their friends and classmates.

My Must-Have Valentine Craft Supplies

While the recycle bin has tons of fun stuff to craft with, you’ll want to few extra things to help you create some awesome Valentine’s crafts. Here are some supplies I like to keep on hand:

Do you want to do more activities with your kids?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Panda Mini Notebook Craft

September 6, 2019 By Terri Thompson

My house is full of notebooks. My kids love them and so do I.

We’ve got big notebooks, little notebooks, store-bought notebooks and homemade notebooks, like this fun panda mini notebook.

This craft is simple to make and fun for both kids and tweens.

Record all your thoughts and ideas in this fun and simple Panda Mini Notebook craft that is perfect for kids and tweens to make.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Supplies Needed

White cardstock
Ruled loose leaf paper
Scissors
Black marker
Stapler

How to make your Panda Mini Notebook

You’ll need to start with two identical circles. To make it easy, find something to use as a template. I just used a drinking glass.

Trace your template twice on your white cardstock leaving room to draw your panda’s ears.

Draw two rounded ears on the top of each of your circles.

Cut out both of your panda heads.

Next, trace circles on your lined paper. You won’t need to create ears on your inner pages.

You’ll want about 10 – 20 pages for your notebook.

Cut out all of your lined paper.

Now it’s time to draw your panda’s face.

On one of your cardstock heads, draw two slanted ovals for the eyes. Inside of these ovals draw a smaller circle in each one. Color in the large oval with your black marker and add a small black dot in the inner white circle to complete the eyes.

Make a smaller black circle in between and below the eyes for your panda’s nose and draw a mouth underneath it.

Finally, color in your panda’s ears. Color in the ears on both sides of the paper.

On the second card stock head, you’ll only want to color in the ears on both sides. Use my picture below for reference.

Finally, it’s time to put your notebook together.

Stack all your lined circles on top of the back of your panda’s head and place the front of your panda’s head on the top. Make sure all your circles are lined up.

Attach the notebook together with a staple. It only took one staple to the side of my panda notebook to hold my notebook together and make it easy to use.

Panda Mini Notebook Craft for Kids

What can I write in my Panda Mini Notebook?

There are so many things you can write in your mini notebook!

Use it to make lists or write your thoughts.

You can also turn it into a book about pandas. You can write a fact about pandas on each page and add a few illustrations. Or you can write a story starring panda bears.

What would you write in your notebook?

Record all your thoughts and ideas in this fun and simple Panda Mini Notebook craft that is perfect for kids and tweens to make.

You may also like one of these animal crafts

Panda Bookmark

Cardboard Tube Panda Craft

The Cutest Bear Crafts for Kids

Paper Bag Zebra at I Heart Crafty Things

Find all your supplies here

You may already have all the supplies you need for this panda mini notebook craft, but if not, here are some supplies I recommend.

Do you want to do more activities with your family?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Panda Bookmark Craft for Kids

April 30, 2019 By Terri Thompson

What do you like to use to save your place in your current book?

Do you just grab a scrap of paper or do you prefer a cute bookmark?

At our house, we love a cute bookmark, like this simple panda bookmark craft. It’s so cute and so much fun!

Save your spot in your current book with this easy panda bookmark craft for kids using this simple drawing tutorial and a few supplies.

Let’s grab a few supplies and get ready to create. You’ll have a new, fun bookmark to use in just a little bit of time.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Supplies needed for your panda bookmark craft

White cardstock
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Black marker
Craft knife

How to make your panda bookmark

Start with drawing a circle for your head at the top of your piece of cardstock. If you want to use a template, a milk carton lid is about the right size.

Next draw two parallel lines coming down from your head, approximately 5 inches long. Make sure they are wide enough apart to give your bookmark some support, about 1-3/4 inches apart.

Join the two parallel lines with a straight line across the bottom.

Add two rounded ears at the top of your head.

Next, add your paws underneath the head. Make a simple u-shape.

Now, it’s time to add our facial features.

For your eyes, add two large ovals with smaller circles inside.

Add a small circle nose and a simple mouth.

After you’re satisfied with your drawing, trace all the lines with the black marker.

Use the marker to color in your paws, ears, nose, and larger ovals around your eyes.

Use the scissors to cut out your bookmark.

Save your spot in your current book with this easy panda bookmark craft for kids using this simple drawing tutorial and a few supplies.

Finally, use your craft knife to cut around the paws. Leave your paws connected at the top so that you can slide it over your pages.

Note: I have this ceramic craft knife that I love to use. It’s easier to hold, stays sharper, and is much safer than a retractable craft knife. If you are ready to let your child use a tool like this, this is a great choice. If not, have an adult do this step.

Your panda bookmark is ready to save your place in your current book! Let’s get reading!

Save your spot in your current book with this easy panda bookmark craft for kids using this simple drawing tutorial and a few supplies.

You may also like one of these animal crafts

Koala Bookmark Craft

Cardboard Tube Panda Craft

The Cutest Bear Crafts for Kids

Panda Mini Notebook Craft

Fork Print Panda Bear Craft

Use your bookmark to save your place in one of these great books!

Are your looking for a great book for your new panda bookmark? Here are some fun choices that I would recommend.

Do you want to do more activities with your kids?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Preschool Paper Plate Umbrella Craft

April 10, 2019 By Terri Thompson

Winter is winding down and spring is on it’s way.

It’s time for flowers, birds, and rain!

To celebrate this upcoming season, we decided to make a fun paper plate umbrella craft that is perfect for preschool and toddlers.

Preschoolers and toddlers will have so much fun making this simple paper plate umbrella craft that is perfect for a rainy day!

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Supplies needed for your umbrella craft

Paper plate
Tape
Paint
Cotton Balls
Black Construction Paper

How to make your Paper Plate Umbrella craft

To prep your project you will need to cut a paper plate in half. Then, I gave one half to each girl.

I let each of my girl picks out a couple of colors of paint. I then poured a little bit of each color onto an old plastic lid. This makes it so much easier and neater than putting brushes into the little pots of paint.

But, for this project, we used cotton balls to paint with instead of the paint brushes. It’s always fun to paint with different things!

The girls got to work. My 2-year-old dabbed her paint while my 4-year-old decided to smear hers.

To finish the project, I used the black construction paper to cut out the handles. Once the paint was dry, we attached out handles to the back of our umbrellas with tape.

We then hung our paper plate umbrella craft in the window to remind us that the snow was going away and rain would come with the changing season.

Preschoolers and toddlers will have so much fun making this simple paper plate umbrella craft that is perfect for a rainy day!

You may also like one of these fun weather crafts:

The Snowy Day Book & Craft

Simple Cloud Painting Activity

Rain and Raindrop Crafts for Kids

Weather Crafts for Toddlers

Raindrop Suncatchers at Pre-K Pages

How to make a paper plate umbrella. This is such a fun and simple craft for preschool.

My recommended craft resources

It’s so easy to have a successful craft time with your kids, if you keep some simple supplies on hand. Here are the supplies we used for this project, that you can also use for many other kids crafts.

Do you want to do more activities with your kids?

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

Cardboard Tube Panda Craft

April 8, 2019 By Terri Thompson

We’ve made cardboard tube elephants. We’ve made tigers. And, now we’re making a fun cardboard tube panda craft.

These pandas are so cute that you’re going to want to make a whole family of them.

So, let’s grab our craft supplies and get started.

Disclosure: There are Amazon Affiliate and other affiliate links in this article which means, at no additional cost to you, we could receive compensation for our recommendations. You can read our full disclosure policy on our Disclosure Page for more details.

Supplies needed for your panda bear craft

Empty cardboard tube/toilet paper roll
White craft paint
Black craft paint
Black marker
Scissors
Black construction paper (just a scrap will work)
Glue
Googly eyes

How to make your Cardboard Tube Panda Craft

For the first step, grab your white paint and paint your entire cardboard tube white.

While you wait for the paint to dry, cut two small circles from your black construction paper for your ears. Your circles should be about the same size as a quarter. (Or about 1-inch in diameter.)

After your white paint is dry, grab your black paint to add the details.

You’ll want to paint two ovals tilted to the side for your eyes and a small circle between them for the nose.

Next, paint a black band under the face. The band circles your tube with it lower in the front and higher in the back.

Let the black paint dry for a few minutes.

Create a pretend play zoo and add this simple cardboard tube panda bear craft. It's a simple and fun craft for kids that makes use of recycled materials.

After all the paint it dry, add your final details.

Glue your ears to the inside of the top of your tube. Center an ear above each eye.

Glue your googly eyes inside your black eye ovals. They need to be near the top of the oval.

Create a pretend play zoo and add this simple cardboard tube panda craft. It's a simple and fun craft for kids that makes use of recycled materials.

Finally, use the black marker to make your mouth underneath the nose circle.

After the glue dries, it’s time to play! This panda bear craft makes a great DIY toy!

Yield: 1 panda

Cardboard Tube Panda Craft

Create a pretend play zoo and add this simple cardboard tube panda craft. It's a simple and fun craft for kids that makes use of recycled materials.

Use a recycled paper tube and a few simple supplies to make one of these cute cardboard tube pandas.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost Under $5 (depending on the supplies you already have on hand)

Materials

  • Empty toilet paper roll tube
  • White craft paint
  • Black craft paint
  • Black marker
  • Black construction paper
  • Googly eyes

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Glue

Instructions

  1. Use your white paint to paint your entire cardboard tube.
  2. While the paint is drying, cut 2 small circles (about the size of a quarter) from your construction paper for your ears.
  3. Once the white paint is dry, use your black paint to add details. Add a black collar, small black nose, and two tilted ovals for the eyes. Let the black paint dry.
  4. Glue your ears to the inside of the top of your tube so that half of the circles sticks out from the top.
  5. Glue your googly eyes to the top of your eye ovals.
  6. Finally, use your black marker to draw a small mouth.

Notes

If you don't have an empty toilet paper roll tube, you can cut a paper towel roll to size.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point, Black, Pack of 3
    Sharpie Permanent Marker, Fine Point, Black, Pack of 3
  • Creativity Street Peel and Stick Wiggle Eyes Multi-Pack, 60 -Piece Pack (AC3437-02)
    Creativity Street Peel and Stick Wiggle Eyes Multi-Pack, 60 -Piece Pack (AC3437-02)
  • Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set, 18 Piece (2-Ounce), PROMOABI Assorted Colors I
    Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Set, 18 Piece (2-Ounce), PROMOABI Assorted Colors I
© Terri Thompson
Project Type: cardboard tube animal / Category: Crafts
Create a pretend play zoo and add this simple cardboard tube panda craft. It's a simple and fun craft for kids that makes use of recycled materials.

You may also like one of these animal crafts:

Panda Bear Masks

Cardboard Tube Bear Craft

Koala Bookmark

LEGO Panda Building Instructions

Create a pretend play zoo and add this simple cardboard tube panda craft. It's a simple and fun craft for kids that makes use of recycled materials.

My recommended supplies

If you want to make this cute cardboard tube panda, you’ll need a few simple craft supplies. First, make sure you save a couple of empty toilet paper rolls! The rest of the supplies are some that you should keep on hand to make many fun crafts for kids.

Do more activities with your family!

Join our fun Facebook community, Creative Family Fun for Busy Families, for daily activities that are great for kids and families. We’ll chat, share, and have fun. It’s a safe and private place to share ideas for family and kids activities.

I’d love for you to join me! Just click the link below, request to join, and answer the questions (they’re easy, I promise). Come join the fun! Join the Creative Family Fun for Busy Families community here.

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