Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

How to fold beautiful clear cellophane origami cranes that look like glass

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I have a fabulous two-for-one just in time for the holidays, and it’s all thanks to Rena from the delightful blog The Cheese Thief (I mean, what a cute name, right?). She’s generously shared two fantastic and pretty clear cellophane origami recycling tutorials that will make your holiday crafting even more fun and eco-friendly. If you’re into upcycling and love a bit of paper folding, you’re in for a treat!

First up, Rena has shared a tutorial on how to make clear origami cranes. These delicate, ethereal birds are not only beautiful on their own but would make stunning, almost magical ornaments for your Christmas tree. Imagine the soft sparkle of cellophane catching the light as the cranes flutter gently in the breeze. They’re a perfect example of how something as simple as clear plastic can be turned into something special and meaningful.

The second tutorial is for little origami stars. These tiny, charming stars are another easy yet beautiful way to add some sparkle to your holiday decorations. Fold them from clear cellophane, and they’ll look like little twinkling lights or like bits of the night sky, ready to be hung from a tree or strung together as a festive garland. The clear material gives them a light, airy quality that’s perfect for a whimsical, wintery vibe.

Both of these projects are perfect for using recycled materials, making them an eco-friendly choice for your holiday crafting. They also provide a great way to repurpose any leftover or unused cellophane (think: packaging materials, old gift wrap, or even those food wrappers) that would otherwise be thrown away. Not only will you be creating beautiful holiday decorations, but you’ll also be helping the planet by reusing materials you already have!

I can just picture these clear origami cranes and stars hanging delicately on a tree or adorning your holiday gifts. Both would add a personal touch to your festive decor while being simple and fun to make. Plus, they make wonderful handmade gifts or keepsakes to share with friends and family.

Ready to try them for yourself? Click over to The Cheese Thief and get the full step-by-step tutorials for both the origami cranes and stars. It’s an easy, beautiful, and eco-conscious way to brighten up your holidays with some creative folding and recycling. You’ll be amazed at what a little cellophane and some origami skills can do! Happy folding!

She has posted one on how to make these clear origami cranes and one on how to fold little origami stars. Both I bet would make great recycled Christmas ornaments!

Looking for more Paper folding crafts? Check out these Origami books

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How To Make A Milk Carton Village – A Recycled Craft for Kids

Ready to turn your recycling bin into a colorful, miniature village? Grab those empty milk cartons and let’s create a town filled with tiny houses, shops, and even a school or bakery! This craft is perfect for kids of all ages and encourages imagination, storytelling, and eco-friendly creativity.

 What You’ll Need:

  • Empty milk or juice cartons (washed and dried)

  • Paints or markers

  • Paintbrushes

  • Craft glue or glue stick

  • Scissors (adult supervision recommended)

  • Colored paper or old magazines

  • Bottle caps, buttons, or plastic lids (for windows or decorations)

  • Sticks, straws, or skewers (for flag poles or chimneys)

  • Optional: glitter, stickers, washi tape, cotton balls (for snow or clouds!)

 Step-by-Step Instructions:

Step 1: Clean and Prep the Cartons
Make sure your milk or juice cartons are washed and completely dry. Remove any plastic lids or caps and keep them for decorations!

Step 2: Plan Your Village
Decide how many buildings you want to make. Each milk carton becomes a house, shop, or whatever your imagination dreams up. Arrange them side by side or in a circle like a real village square.

Step 3: Cut Out Doors and Windows
With the help of an adult, carefully cut small door and window shapes into your cartons. You can also glue cut-out shapes from colored paper if you’d rather not cut into the carton.

Step 4: Paint and Decorate
Use paint or markers to bring your buildings to life. Make brick patterns, colorful siding, or roof tiles. Let each child choose their own theme – rainbow bakery, monster house, fairy home, or tiny fire station!

Step 5: Add the Roofs
You can paint the top pointy part of the carton like a roof, or glue on cardboard triangles to create overhangs. Want to add a chimney? Glue a straw or cardboard roll on top!

Step 6: Make Flags and Signs
Cut small flags from recycled plastic or paper and tape them to straws or sticks. Glue your flags to the rooftops. You can even create tiny signs for each building – “Toy Store,” “Library,” or “Super Cat’s House.”

Step 7: Build Your Village
Place all the finished buildings together on a large piece of cardboard, tray, or table. Use bottle caps for stepping stones, cotton balls for bushes or clouds, and draw roads with marker.

Step 8: Play!
Now that your village is built, use little toys, action figures, or LEGO people to live in your new town. Create stories and adventures—your Milk Carton Village is officially open!

 Learning Bonus:

This craft is not just fun—it also teaches recycling, fine motor skills, creative thinking, and storytelling. Plus, it’s a great group activity for playdates, classrooms, or family craft nights.

Let your kids’ imaginations run wild—and remember, no two villages need to look the same. Each one tells its own story!