Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Great collection of rock painting ideas

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I love these houses painted on rocks. Rock painting is on my “to-do” list…along with a lot of other things but I keep collecting ideas and inspiration. Over at the blog Skill of King (updated to add: this blog is no longer active and we have removed the link) there is a whole bunch of great ideas and inspiration for some super-cute rock painting. Once you start I  bet you will be like my neighbor who regularly leaves painted rocks all down the street including in my driveway.

Rock Painting is one of the latest crazes to hit young and old. Rock painting is so much fun and has even formed numerous groups around the world where painted rocks are left for people to find. All of these Rock painting projects are fun and easy to follow along. You can also check out our Rock Painting Pinterest board for more inspirational ideas.

The smoothest river rocks are the easiest to paint on but don’t let irregular rocks scare you off, instead look at them like you would a cloud in the sky, see what shape it looks like, and work from there

Rock painting and Rock dropping have become very popular this year as more people were isolated and needed encouragement to go for walks. My kids loved searching for painted rocks they found in the park, along the pathways and a few sneaky painted rocks I left in their own backyard.

We highly recommend using paint pens when working with rocks, they have a fine point and are far easier to draw with.

You can paint your rocks with themes in mind too –  Check out these other articles we featured on painted rocks. 

Check out these Rock Painting kits to get you started.

Check out this tutorial on making Bumble Bee Rocks.

Difficulty: Easy

Time to Make: 15 minutes, plus drying time

Supplies:

Oval river rocks – 1.5” x 2” used for this project

Yellow, black, and white craft paint or Paint pens

Paint brushes – 1” foam, ¼” flat angled artist brush, foam dabber

Krylon Clear Glaze

Directions:

Paint the entire rock yellow, using the 1” foam brush. Allow to dry, then do a second coat, and also a third coat, if needed. You can speed up dry time by using a blow dryer if you wish.

 

Use the ¼” flat angled artist brush to paint the “head” of the bee, and then black lines across the rock. Allow to dry.

Use the foam dabber with white paint to make the eyes, and allow to dry.

Use the foam dabber again, to just put a tiny dot of black paint in the middle of the white to finish the eyes.

Once the rock is completely dry, spray with Krylon Clear Glaze to seal the paint, and protect it from the outdoor elements.

Related Posts:

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Eco-Craft Fun: 25+ Sustainable Activities to Teach Kids About Going Green

recycled kids craft blog post title image

Let’s talk about eco-crafts — the fun, hands-on way to teach kids about recycling, sustainability, and caring for our planet! Whether you’re prepping for Earth Day crafts at school or just looking for everyday ways to spark your child’s eco-conscious creativity, we’ve got over 25 sustainable craft ideas that will have your little recyclers rethinking trash and turning it into treasure.

And the best part? These crafts are packed with fun and facts, so your kids not only get to create something cool, but they’ll also learn why reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling really matters. ?

Why Teaching Kids About Going Green Matters 

Let’s face it: kids today are growing up in a world where climate change and plastic pollution are part of everyday conversations. But it doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom! Through eco-friendly crafting, kids can see and feel the impact of making small, sustainable choices.

A few facts that might surprise (and inspire) your kids:

  • One plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to break down. But guess what? That same bottle can become a bird feeder or a planter in just one afternoon!

  • Recycling just one aluminum can saves enough energy to power a TV for three hours. Yep, that’s a movie night!

  • The average school-age child throws away 67 pounds of lunch packaging every year. Imagine turning that waste into a DIY pencil case or a robot sculpture instead!

What Makes a Craft “Eco-Friendly”? 

A sustainable or eco-friendly craft usually ticks a few boxes:

  •  Uses recycled or upcycled materials (think cardboard tubes, cereal boxes, old fabric)

  • Encourages reusability (like reusable snack bags or tote bags)

  •  Avoids single-use plastics or non-biodegradable glitter

  •  Teaches a lesson about nature, conservation, or environmental awareness

Even better? These crafts are perfect for Earth Day activities, rainy day projects, or classroom sustainability lessons.

 

25+ Eco-Craft Ideas Kids Will Love 

Here’s a roundup of creative, sustainable, and super fun crafts that are perfect for kids of all ages. Many of these double as educational STEM projects, too!

  1. Recycled Crayon Shapes – Melt down broken crayons into new fun molds.

  2. Toilet Roll Binoculars – Perfect for backyard birdwatching.

  3. Egg Carton Critters – Make bugs, frogs, or even mini garden planters!

  4. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder – Help local wildlife while reducing waste.

  5. Old T-Shirt Tote Bag – No-sew reusable bags? Yes, please.

  6. DIY Paper Beads – Turn magazine scraps into jewelry.

  7. Cardboard  – STEM learning meets upcycling!

  8. Milk Carton Birdhouse – Add some color and hang it outside.

  9. Jar Lid Memory Game – Use mismatched lids and paint for a fun twist.

  10. Nature Collages – Combine fallen leaves and twigs with upcycled paper.

  11. Bottle Cap Magnets – Add art and function to the fridge!

  12. Tin Can Drums – Let’s make some noise with repurposed cans!

  13. Newspaper Seed Starters – Plant flowers or herbs for a garden they made themselves.

  14. Cereal Box Puzzle – Cut a drawing into puzzle pieces.

  15. Recycled Robot Sculptures – Bring junk drawer items to life!

  16. CD Fish Craft – Old CDs get new life as shiny fish decorations.

  17. Fabric Scraps Bunting – Leftover fabric turns into party decor.

  18. Cork Stamps – Customize your own stamps using wine corks.

  19. Bottle Cap Tic-Tac-Toe – A game and a lesson in repurposing.

  20. Nature Paintbrushes – Use twigs and leaves to create wild textures.

  21. Mason Jar Lanterns – Light up a room the eco way.

  22. Paper Towel Roll Rockets – Decorate and blast off with recyclables.

  23. Plastic Spoon Garden Markers – A fun way to label your veggie patch.

  24. Yogurt Cup Planters – Tiny cups, big green ideas.

  25. Recycled Puzzle Piece Art – Turn old puzzles into statement wall pieces.

  26. DIY Wrapping Paper – Reuse brown bags with painted prints.

 BONUS: Let your kids come up with their own inventions using only what they can rescue from the recycling bin. It’s the ultimate creativity challenge!

Making Eco-Crafts a Daily Habit

One Earth Day craft is awesome — but teaching kids to think green every day? That’s where the real magic happens. You can encourage ongoing eco-awareness by:

  • Setting up a crafty recycling bin just for materials they can transform.

  • Hosting a neighborhood recycled art show (with prizes!).

  • Starting a “trash to treasure” box for craft ideas all year long.

  • Teaching kids to donate unused supplies instead of tossing them.

Big Smiles from Little Recyclers 

Watching your child hold up their finished eco-craft — whether it’s a bottle rocket or a flower pot made from an old yogurt cup — is a moment of pride. Not just because they made something cute, but because they’re learning to care. 

And hey, even small hands can make a big difference when they start seeing the world through a green lens.

So get ready to grab those glue sticks, empty boxes, and bits of “trash” — and let’s turn them into eco-friendly treasures that’ll brighten your home and the planet!

 Don’t forget to pin this post and share it with your eco-minded friends. Let’s raise a new generation of little Earth heroes — one recycled craft at a time!