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

August 7, 2025 by Shellie Wilson

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!

Related Posts:

  • DIY Kids Craft Project - Upcycled Cardboard Box Sandcastle
  • Eco-Craft Fun: 25+ Sustainable Activities to Teach…
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Have you read?

Handmade with a Past: Tuesday’s Top Recycled Etsy Find

If you’re looking for a bag that’s as stylish as it is eco-friendly, look no further than this recycled cloth jute beach tote bag. Handcrafted from upcycled materials, this tote combines the rustic charm of jute with the sustainability of recycled cloth, making it the perfect accessory for your next beach trip, farmers’ market visit, or casual day out.

What I love about this bag is its combination of practicality and earth-conscious design. The sturdy jute fabric gives it a timeless look, while the use of recycled cloth keeps things fresh and eco-friendly. It’s large enough to hold all your essentials—whether you’re headed to the beach or carrying groceries—and it’s the kind of bag you can feel good about using.

Why this tote bag is a must-have:

  • Made from recycled cloth and jute, giving new life to old materials while keeping things stylish

  • Perfect for a beach day, carrying groceries, or just as your go-to everyday tote

  • Eco-conscious design that helps reduce waste while looking chic

This bag isn’t just a practical piece; it’s also a conversation starter. People will ask where you got it, and you can proudly say, “It’s handmade, recycled, and fabulous!” A must-have for anyone looking to add more sustainable options to their daily life.

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