Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure
Pretty eclectic combo, eh? I picked them because I like the color combo. I have been having a lot of fun arranging my books by color or by forming an image with them as I did at Valentine’s day by making a heart of books. So I picked these 4 because I liked the yellow, white and red they all contained in their bold graphics.
Leave a comment in today’s post by April 23, 2015 and you are entered to win a copy of:
1000 Illustrations for Children
Open to U.S. residents only please.
Looking for a creative way to keep the kids entertained this summer without spending a fortune? Turn your trash into treasure with this fun Recycled Sandcastle Craft Project! Using cardboard boxes, plastic lids, glue, and a bit of imagination, kids can build their very own sandcastle kingdom – no beach required!
Cardboard boxes (cereal, tissue, shipping boxes – any size)
Toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes
Plastic lids (yogurt containers, jar tops, etc.)
Paper or plastic straws, twigs, or sticks
Scrap plastic, paper, or fabric for flags
Craft glue or a hot glue gun (with adult supervision)
Scissors
Sand or beige paint (optional for decoration)
Markers, stickers, or leftover craft supplies to decorate
Head to your recycling bin and pull out clean items that could work as castle parts—boxes for walls, tubes for towers, and lids for turrets. Cut down the boxes into smaller sections if needed, and make sure everything is dry and ready to work with.
Before gluing anything down, lay out your castle design on a flat surface. Decide where the towers, walls, and “gate” will go. You can make it symmetrical, or go wild with a quirky kingdom layout!
Use craft glue (or hot glue if you’re working with older kids or want faster drying). Start attaching the boxes and tubes together to form the base of your sandcastle. Stack tubes on top of boxes to create turrets. Use plastic lids as domes or roof tops.
This is where the fun begins! Use:
Bottle caps as windows or shields
Buttons as faux stones
Cutout shapes from scrap cardboard for castle doors or battlements (those square-topped castle walls!) Get creative with what you’ve got – there’s no wrong way to build your dream castle.
Cut small triangles or flags from scrap plastic, fabric, or colored paper. Tape or glue these to the tops of straws, sticks, or twigs. Then, glue them onto the tops of towers or castle corners. You can even personalize each flag with a coat of arms or your child’s initials!
For an authentic look, brush glue over the castle and sprinkle it with craft sand. No sand on hand? Use beige paint, or mix some flour with a pinch of cinnamon for a sandy texture.
Let everything dry completely—especially if you’ve used a lot of glue. Then proudly display your recycled sandcastle on a shelf, or use it as part of imaginative play time.
Build a whole sandcastle village and connect them with paper bridges.
Make tiny “people” out of clothespins or paper scraps.
Add fairy lights inside for a magical castle glow at night.
This project is a fantastic way to keep little hands busy and teach kids the value of reusing materials. Plus, it’s just plain fun! Whether you’re doing this at home, in a classroom, or at a summer camp, your recycled sandcastles are sure to be a hit.
Wow these would be so awesome to help teach my daughter and granddaughter…and myself!!
I’d love to win-thank you for the chance 🙂
I’m just learn how to crochet and these books would be a great help!
What a fun combination of books! Thank you for the giveaway.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this giveaway!
This is a great combination of books. Thank you for the chance to win them.
I love mandalas and I’ve been working on teaching myself how to crochet. This is a great set of books! I like your color palette 🙂
I crochet to pass the time both sons are in the Army. One just returned from Afghanistan.
These books look amazing. I’m teaching myself to crochet and have always want to try quilting, so I’m especially excited about those titles. Thanks for this wonderful giveaway!!
Would love to win this so my daughter could have a fun craft time.
I’m desperate to learn to crochet and knit. The mandala book looks amazing – I didn’t know crocheted madalas existed!
Oh these would be wonderful to share with my granddaughter. Thanks for a chance to win!
Would love to add these to my library! Thanks for the chance to win! The 23rd is my birthday so winning would make an awesome present! 🙂
My Grandaughter is moving here from another state and is wanting to learn. These books would help me teach her. Thank you for the awesome giveaway.
Ooooh! All four of those books look fun.
Great Books! Wonderfull fun for kids. <3
I am on disability and have had one hand operated on for carpal tunnel so far the other will be done in the next month or two and then I can start doing crafts again and learning to crochet. These books would be such a wonder start one my journey into crafting since i cannot work any longer it will give me something to do I would love them 🙂
The book on quilting would be nice to have =D
These books are very cool
What a great beginner resource. Our local group has so many newbies that I know just what to do with these. : )
Would love to win these books! Thanks!
Lovely books – hope I am the lucky one!
I would love them for my granddaughter and I.
i just found this page and I love it! I’m still learning to crochet and would love to learn to quilt. These books would be great!
I’d love to win as I’m seriously stuck for ideas for new squares for baby blankets! Fingers crossed. Good luck everyone! x
Quilts…. my passion!!!! Colors, fabrics and ideas..
Yay! Crafty stuff!
These look like so much fun!!
I’d love to win! Thanks for the chance.
I would love to have these!
I’d love these books. I’m trying to expand my crochet knowledge. Thank you for the chance. The other books look really good too.
What a great set of useful and beautiful books!
I love your personality coming through in your choice of books…and would love to smile when I use them. Thanks for this opportunity.
I’d love to win. Thanks for the giveaways!
I want to get back into crochet and quilting, so much to get inspired by.
Take Care …. Sandy
A couple to keep and a couple to share, this is a fun giveaway!
Super group of books!
A winning combination of great source books!
from VT where Spring is peeking around the corner–she’s been so shy this year!
the Vermonster
That mandala book looks really fun! I’ve wanted to try mandalas! Actually all the books look really fun!!
Great selection of books! Thanks for the chance to win.
Ohh, books, crafts, …not enough time in the day! They all look like such fun. Thanks for the chance to win them! vickise at gmail dot com
Would love to win, I keep checking out the kid’s learn to crochet books at my library.
Love the combination of the handmade crafts
I have uses for each of these books that would bring wounderful joy to my life!
Such a wonderful combination of books, would enjoy them all and would love sharing them with my family!
Let’s see – I love crafting and I love books. Put the two together and you have the best ever giveaway – thanks!
Thanks for the ideas from all the web sites that have crafting. I’d love to own these books. Crafting is what makes me happy.
This is such a great combo of books. Something for everyone.
These books look cool! I’d be so happy with them!
Great giveaway!!! I would love to see what is inside the mandala book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I would make good use of all these books!