Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Make Your Own Farm Animals and More: 35 projects for kids using everyday cardboard packaging

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If you’re looking for a delightful and eco-friendly crafting adventure for kids, Make Your Own Farm Animals and More by Tracey Radford is a fantastic choice. This book offers 35 creative projects that transform everyday cardboard packaging into charming farm animals and scenery, making it perfect for young crafters and their families.

Tracey Radford, also known for her work on , brings her signature style to this collection, providing clear, step-by-step instructions accompanied by helpful tips. The projects are designed to be accessible, requiring only common household items like egg cartons, cereal boxes, and cardboard tubes. Children can create a variety of farm animals, including cows, horses, pigs, and even a tractor, fostering both creativity and sustainability.

Reviewers have praised the book for its engaging content and ease of use. One reader noted, “The instructions are very easy to follow and the wonderful photographs help even the worst crafter!” Another mentioned, “Inexpensive to make with such clever use of otherwise discarded household items, this is a must for children’s parties, projects, and holiday times.”

Overall, Make Your Own Farm Animals and More is a wonderful resource for parents and educators seeking fun, sustainable craft projects. It’s an excellent way to engage children in hands-on activities that promote recycling and imaginative play.

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Comments

  5. Absolutely adorable! This fits my daughter’s twin obsessions with animals and cardboard boxes perfectly! 🙂

  7. What a cool book. I work at a library and that would be a fun project for kids to do after a farm themed storytime!

  9. My 4 year old granddaughter and I could create a whole barnyard of animals with this fun book! Fingers crossed and thanks for the chance to win this book!

  11. As a former elementary art teacher all I can say is this book looks great, wish I had it sooner’

  13. Oh I love the looks of this book. Lots of great projects for the grandkids. I love …..the tractor.

  15. What a great book, looks like so much fun. My nephew would love to make all those animals. Thank you.

  16. This book is just darling. I would make the projects and put them in my grandma hope chest for when I finally have grandchildren,

  21. Looks like a fun book. My grandson loves animals and would have a ball making and playing with these animals!

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DIY Review: Handmade Wooden American Flag – Rustic, Patriotic, and Perfectly Imperfect

 

I don’t know about you, but there’s something extra special about dĂ©cor that’s both meaningful and made by hand. That’s exactly what drew me to this gorgeous DIY wooden American flag from Reinvented Delaware. It’s rustic. It’s bold. It’s brimming with character. And the best part? It’s made using reclaimed wood, which gives it that perfect weathered look that screams vintage Americana.

This isn’t one of those quick, cookie-cutter craft projects. It’s the kind of DIY that feels like a labor of love—in the best possible way. Cindy walks you through the whole process with easy-to-follow steps, and I found myself nodding along, thinking, “Yes, I could totally make this.”

Using scrap wood from previous projects (we love a good upcycled decor idea, right?), she cuts, paints, and assembles each stripe with care. What really makes this piece shine is the attention to the little imperfections—the uneven brush strokes, the subtle distressing, the real wood grain showing through. It’s that handmade touch that gives it soul.

And let’s talk about those stars for a second. Instead of using a stencil or printed decals, she goes full-on old-school by hand painting them—flaws and all. It’s not about perfection here. It’s about capturing that raw, rugged beauty that makes patriotic farmhouse decor feel real and lived-in.

Once assembled, the flag makes a statement—whether it’s displayed on a porch, hung in a cozy entryway, or propped on a mantel. It’s bold, but not flashy. Americana, but not tacky. Just honest, beautiful handmade home decor with a patriotic twist.

Personally, I love that this project honors not just the flag, but the idea of reusing and recycling materials to create something new. It’s a subtle reminder that old things still have value and that a little creativity goes a long way.

So if you’ve got some extra lumber lying around (or you love haunting the scrap bin at your local hardware store like I do), this is the kind of weekend project that satisfies your creative itch and leaves you with something meaningful to display. Bonus points if you already have red, white, and blue paint in your stash.

Bottom line: this DIY is a winner. Whether you’re crafting for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or just love a good rustic statement piece, this DIY reclaimed wood flag is a project with heart.