Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Newspaper Crafts

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We all know the usual stuff to do with newspapers but how about some more unusual projects.

Newspaper slippers – Ok these are not going to be durable but are ideal for painting in or other one time use situations.

Newspaper Dustpan – Perfect for messy plaster shavings or a great “know how to make” for emergency picking up things situations.

Grandfathers Kite – Most of us know how to make a kite but if no one ever showed you how then borrow this grandad for a lesson in Grandads kite making.

Fire Logs – Logs can grow right out of your recycling bin with these fire starting logs.

Anyone else have some more unusual newspaper recycling craft ideas to share ?

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Comments

  1. Do you know of any crafts to make out of pinecones? I’ve been looking for quite awhile and haven’t found much.

  5. I recently decided to use up some of my old wine bottles to make something interesting for my garden. I cleaned off the labels & used modge podge to glue on old beads, sea glass, etc and then set them in my garden..some pointing up, some pointing down. They make a nice stand for my gazing balls which are just foam balls decorated w/ stones, glass, left over beads & glued to the top of the bottle. They are really quite interesting & the kids love using their imaginations to make something out of our trash!

  6. i love makeing things out of newspapers….i have infact, been doing so all my life now 🙂
    i liked these ideas too…..though mine are very very sturdy, useful and extremely simple and gorgeous…..i guess i should post these up on the net soon

  7. Hello.

    I’m passionate making handcrafts using recycled newspaper. The techniques I use are, turning old newspaper to paper straws and weaving process to make baskets, vasts, side table lamps, etc. For coloring, I use timber tone or colored varnish. At first look, it is hardly to distinguish, either it is made from cane (rattan) or, it is really made from recycled newspaper

  9. I have 2 do this project at school n it has 2 be out of recyclable items n I want my project 2 be the best .. does anyone have anything that I could try 2 make out of newspaper

Have you read?

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!