Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

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I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!

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Have you read?

Why Do Your Kids Play with the Box? An Interview with Child Psychologist Dr. Lucy Harper

I was at a recent blogger’s meetup—chatting, sipping lukewarm coffee, and exchanging parenting war stories—when the conversation turned to toys. More specifically, the boxes toys come in.

“You know,” I laughed, “my kid unwrapped a fancy, interactive toy last Christmas, and five minutes later, the box had become a spaceship… the toy? Completely abandoned.”

That’s when Dr. Lucy Harper, a warm and wise child psychologist with a mischievous grin, chimed in: “Oh, the box wins every time. And there’s a very good reason for that.”

Naturally, I had to ask her more. What followed was one of the most fascinating, reassuring conversations I’ve had as a parent.

Me: So, Lucy—why do kids love playing with the box more than the actual toy?

Dr. Harper: Honestly, it’s one of the most developmentally beautiful things kids can do. When a child chooses the box, they’re choosing imagination over instruction. A toy often has one purpose—it sings, it moves, it lights up. But a box? A box can be anything. Kids see endless potential in something we adults might just toss in the recycling.

Me: So you’re saying it’s not just them being weird or ungrateful?

Dr. Harper: [Laughs] Not at all. It’s actually a wonderful sign of creativity and cognitive flexibility. Think of it like this—boxes offer what we call “open-ended play.” There’s no one way to use a box. That freedom gives children the chance to invent, experiment, and take charge of their own playtime. It helps their brains build problem-solving skills, storytelling ability, spatial reasoning… the list goes on.

Me: Okay, but does it really help with development? Or are we just romanticizing cardboard?

Dr. Harper: Oh, it absolutely helps. When your child turns a box into a rocket or a cave, they’re engaging multiple areas of their brain. They’re building narratives (language skills), exploring size and shape (early math concepts), using fine and gross motor skills (tape, scissors, crawling inside), and even practicing emotional regulation. That “I made this myself” feeling is powerful for confidence.

Me: You mentioned emotional regulation—how does box play support that?

Dr. Harper: Great question. Sometimes, boxes become cozy hideaways—reading nooks, forts, quiet spots. For many kids, that’s self-soothing. It’s their way of saying, “I need a break from all the noise.” And giving them space to retreat into a world they’ve created can be incredibly comforting.

Me: I’ve definitely seen that. So how can parents support more of this kind of play?

Dr. Harper: Start saving boxes! Seriously. Don’t rush to recycle them. Offer markers, tape, scissors, scrap paper, fabric—just let kids take the lead. You’d be amazed what they come up with. And here’s the secret: you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect play setup. The messier and more imaginative, the better.

Dr. Harper’s Favorite “Box Play” Ideas
Before we wrapped up (pun intended), I asked Lucy for some of her go-to box play setups that parents can try at home. Here’s what she shared:

The Spaceship Command Center
“Flip a large box over, cut a few windows, and hand over some foil and paper plates for the ‘control panels.’ Bonus points if your child names the spaceship and creates a mission.”

The DIY Café or Bakery
“Boxes make great shop counters. Set one up with play food or paper treats, and let your child take orders and serve customers. This builds storytelling and social skills.”

Wearable Cardboard Costumes
“Kids love making robot bodies, animal masks, or even cardboard wings. It blends creative expression with physical movement.”

The Crawl Tunnel or Maze
“Especially fun for toddlers—just tape boxes together to make a crawling path. It feels like a mini adventure.”

The Giant Art Canvas
“Flatten a box and let them draw a city, a racetrack, a jungle… whatever they dream up. Then use toy figures or cars to play out scenes.”

Me: Last question—what would you say to the parent who feels bad that their expensive toy got ignored?

Dr. Harper: I’d say: it’s okay. Your child didn’t reject your gift—they just found a different way to explore joy. Playing with the box isn’t a failure of the toy—it’s a success of their imagination.

And sometimes, the best toy is the one that didn’t cost a thing.

So next time your child dives headfirst into a cardboard box, don’t worry—embrace it. You might just be watching their creativity take flight.

Want to turn this into a printable resource or social media share? I can help with that too!

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