Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Book Review – Make Your Own Zoo

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Giveaway- Make Your Own Zoo: 35 projects for kids using everyday cardboard packaging. Turn your recycling into a zoo!

Leave a comment in today’s post by June 22, 2016 and you are in the running for this awesome book packed full of cute projects you can make with recycled packaging.

Open to U. S. residents only please.

More about the book from the publisher:Get ready to turn your recycling pile into a colorful cardboard zoo! With just a few cardboard tubes, egg cartons, and a dash of creativity, you can craft a whole menagerie of charming animals from around the world.

Start your adventure on Safari with a pride of majestic lions, a stylish zebra, a towering giraffe, a sturdy rhino, and a flamingo full of flair—all made from everyday cardboard. Next, swing into the Jungle to meet a wide-grinning crocodile, a playful chimpanzee, and a tree-swinging orangutan.

Travel to the Arctic to create a frosty family of egg carton penguins, a snuggly polar bear, a cheerful seal, and a walrus lounging in the snow. Then head to the Aviary, where vibrant parrots, sweet lovebirds, and even a bold bald eagle fill the skies with color and sound.

Dive into the Aquarium to discover gliding manta rays, stingrays, a joyful dolphin, a floating jellyfish, and a curious octopus, along with many more ocean friends.

Finish your crafty expedition by building homes for your animal creations—learn how to make enclosures, scenery, trees, rocks, grass, flowers, and even icebergs. With easy-to-follow instructions, clever tips, and eco-friendly materials, you’ll be able to craft a complete cardboard zoo right at home. Let the wild crafting begin!!”

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Comments

  2. Make Your Own Zoo looks like it has so many ideas that would be so much fun to make with my grandson and granddaughter. I just love all the ideas/projects that you share with the rest of us. Thanks!

  6. This book would be great for something to make with my grandsons! As I don’t see them as much as I want ,this would be a great project for us to make good memories!!

  8. This looks like something fun my son and I would enjoy using together!!!’

  11. My 4 year old granddaughter lives with us and we would have so much fun making these!! Thanks for the chance to add to Meemaw and Jenna’s creative adventure!! Oh, theplaces we go in our imaginations! Fingers crossed!

  13. My daughter and I are totally into paper crafts she’s also completely into zoos and animals. We would love to win this!

  15. Just started a new job in the youth services department of the local library. This would be a fabulous addition to my growing story time collection. Also love the idea of being able to recycle and to show people how make treasures from everyday things. Thanks!

  22. Oh this looks wonderful and like so much fun for me and my daughter. she loves crafting & is getting better every day but with her still being quite young its hard to find crafts for her to enjoy. I think this would be a hit with her, she loves 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.