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

March 21, 2017 by Stefanie Girard

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

  1. Rose says

    March 21, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    Hi! Looks like a great book. I’m in the UK and not sure if I can enter. Hope so!

  2. Zil says

    March 21, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    I would love to own this book to use with little ones. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

  3. Karen Wilson says

    March 21, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    This would be great for my granddaughters. Thanks for the chance to win!

  4. Leanne Stokes says

    March 21, 2017 at 11:09 pm

    Ohh this would be a great gift fot my MIL for the playgroup she runs, she is always on the lookout for craft ideas!

  5. Sarah says

    March 22, 2017 at 8:37 am

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

  6. shari harniss says

    March 22, 2017 at 9:28 am

    Cute book! Thanks for the chance to win.

  7. Amie says

    March 23, 2017 at 11:17 am

    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!

  8. Kimberly D. says

    March 23, 2017 at 11:46 am

    Looks like a fun project for both children and adults!

  9. Barb Macaskill says

    March 23, 2017 at 12:00 pm

    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!

  10. Linda says

    March 23, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    I would love a chance to win this fun book!

  11. martha donley says

    March 23, 2017 at 5:40 pm

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

  12. Kathy Linker says

    March 24, 2017 at 8:28 am

    What wonderfully creative ideas. Our Library kids want to check this out!

  13. Lori Parker says

    March 24, 2017 at 11:41 am

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

  14. Merna says

    March 24, 2017 at 12:20 pm

    Would love this book to make with my grandchildren. It looks so fun.

  15. Mary says

    March 24, 2017 at 2:33 pm

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

  16. Evelyn Carlson says

    March 24, 2017 at 9:44 pm

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

  17. logforkids says

    March 24, 2017 at 9:48 pm

    The Border Collie looks like our Martha Bones! <3

  18. Nancy says

    March 25, 2017 at 11:52 am

    Just too cute!

  19. Mary Helene says

    March 25, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    Wonderful book for my grand kids.

  20. Deborah W says

    March 25, 2017 at 10:27 pm

    I would love to win this to work on some of these projects with my grandchildren.

  21. Christine says

    March 13, 2020 at 12:22 pm

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

Have you read?

Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!

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