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!

Have you read?

How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.