Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

How to make your own paintballs and learn a little science

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How to make your own paintballs

Okay, I have to share this totally fun idea I came across—it’s part science experiment, part messy outdoor art project, and 100% kid-approved. If your kids are anything like mine, they love any excuse to get outside and get a little messy. And let’s be honest, so do I… especially if there’s some sneaky learning involved!

These homemade paintball bombs are such a cool way to mix science and creativity. You’re basically turning your backyard into a colorful science lab. Think bright splashes of color, mini explosions, and kids who are amazed at what they just created. It’s like sidewalk chalk meets vinegar-and-baking-soda volcano, with a big splash of art thrown in.

What I really love is how simple it is—you probably already have everything you need at home. And while the kids are having a blast, they’re also learning about chemical reactions, pressure, and a bit of color mixing too. It’s the kind of activity that checks all the boxes: educational, creative, and seriously fun.

If this sounds like something your kids would go crazy for, you’ve got to check out the full how-to over on Teach Beside Me. She walks you through exactly how to make these colorful paint bombs—and trust me, you’ll want to make a whole bunch!

. Pop on over to the blog Teach Beside Me for the step by step tutorial on how to make your own paintballs  perfect for summer fun and learning.

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Time Flies — And Sometimes It Has Wings Made of Vintage Paper and Buttons

Have you ever been to the cuckoo clock shop at Tamborine Mountain? It’s like stepping into another world — a charming, ticking wonderland filled with thousands (yes, literally thousands) of clocks. Some are grand and ornate, others tiny and tucked away like secrets waiting to be discovered. I remember walking through the shop with my kids, completely enchanted by the whirring gears, dancing figurines, and the joyful chorus of chimes. It was one of those places where time feels like it both stops and flies.

That same feeling came flooding back when I stumbled across this adorable craft project from Teawagon Tales called Time Flies. In true vintage style, it’s a whimsical little DIY that combines scraps of fabric, old paper, buttons, and clock faces into sweet butterfly-like creations — a beautiful mashup of memory, imagination, and just plain cuteness.

It reminded me that crafting is a little like walking through that clock shop. Each piece holds a story, a tick of nostalgia, and the joy of noticing small details. You don’t need much — just some leftover fabric, maybe an old book page or two, and a few bits from your button tin. And suddenly you’re creating something that feels like it fluttered out of a fairytale.

So if you’ve got a stash of pretty paper or vintage bits and bobs you’ve been saving for “something special,” this might be the perfect project to give them new life.

Take a look at the full tutorial and soak up some serious inspiration:
Time Flies – Teawagon Tales

And if you ever find yourself near Tamborine Mountain, do yourself a favour — pop into that cuckoo clock shop. It’s pure magic for anyone who knows that time isn’t just measured in minutes, but in memories.