Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review – Recycling in the Garden: Reusing Everyday Items

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recycling in the garden reusing everday items book cover

As someone who loves to garden, I was excited to get my hands on “Recycling in the Garden: Reusing Everyday Items”. The book lives up to its name, providing innovative and simple ways to recycle everything from water to materials in your garden. I especially appreciated the practical examples, which showed recycling in action and turned unwanted items into useful garden features.

One of the things I love most about gardening is the sense of relaxation it brings, and this book emphasizes how gardening can also be a sustainable activity. By using less water, making your own compost, and choosing energy-efficient equipment, you can save money while doing your part to protect the environment.

The book suggests many ways to reuse water, including rainwater collection, which I found particularly interesting. The author also provides tips on where to look for free and cheap materials, such as reclamation yards, factories, restaurants, and hospitals. This is a great way to get creative with your gardening projects without breaking the bank.

I found the instructions clear and easy to follow, even for those who may not have much experience in gardening or DIY projects. The book helps you let your imagination run free, and I’m already thinking of ways to implement some of the ideas I learned about.

Overall, I highly recommend “Recycling in the Garden: Reusing Everyday Items” to anyone who loves gardening and wants to be more sustainable and creative in their gardening practices.

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How To Make A Milk Carton Village – A Recycled Craft for Kids

Ready to turn your recycling bin into a colorful, miniature village? Grab those empty milk cartons and let’s create a town filled with tiny houses, shops, and even a school or bakery! This craft is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages imagination, storytelling, and eco-friendly creativity.

 What You’ll Need:

  • Empty milk or juice cartons (washed and dried)

  • Paints or markers

  • Paintbrushes

  • Craft glue or glue stick

  • Scissors (adult supervision recommended)

  • Colored paper or old magazines

  • Bottle caps, buttons, or plastic lids (for windows or decorations)

  • Sticks, straws, or skewers (for flag poles or chimneys)

  • Optional: glitter, stickers, washi tape, cotton balls (for snow or clouds!)

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Clean and Prep the Cartons
Make sure your milk or juice cartons are washed and completely dry. Remove any plastic lids or caps and keep them for decorations!

Step 2: Plan Your Village
Decide how many buildings you want to make. Each milk carton becomes a house, shop, or whatever your imagination dreams up. Arrange them side by side or in a circle like a real village square.

Step 3: Cut Out Doors and Windows
With the help of an adult, carefully cut small door and window shapes into your cartons. You can also glue cut-out shapes from colored paper if you’d rather not cut into the carton.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Use paint or markers to bring your buildings to life. Make brick patterns, colorful siding, or roof tiles. Let each child choose their own theme – rainbow bakery, monster house, fairy home, or tiny fire station!

Step 5: Add the Roofs
You can paint the top pointy part of the carton like a roof, or glue on cardboard triangles to create overhangs. Want to add a chimney? Glue a straw or cardboard roll on top!

Step 6: Make Flags and Signs
Cut small flags from recycled plastic or paper and tape them to straws or sticks. Glue your flags to the rooftops. You can even create tiny signs for each building – “Toy Store,” “Library,” or “Super Cat’s House.”

Step 7: Build Your Village
Place all the finished buildings together on a large piece of cardboard, tray, or table. Use bottle caps for stepping stones, cotton balls for bushes or clouds, and draw roads with marker.

Step 8: Play!
Now that your village is built, use little toys, action figures, or LEGO people to live in your new town. Create stories and adventures—your Milk Carton Village is officially open!

 Learning Bonus:

This craft is not just fun—it also teaches recycling, fine motor skills, creative thinking, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a great group activity for playdates, classrooms, or family craft nights.

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild—and remember, no two villages need to look the same. Each one tells its own story!