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Kids are the best at using their imagination to create all sorts of things. When it comes to recycling and reusing what’s on hand, kids have us parents beat, hands-down. That’s why it is so great to get your kids involved with creating crafts. Here are some fun crafts you and your children can create together, using stuff around the house.

From 2-liter Plastic Soda Bottles

Butterflies

You’ll need:

• Butterfly stencil
• 4" squares

How To Make A Butterfly

Using your stencil, trace a butterfly on the plastic bottle then cut it out (adult supervision required). Repeat this process until you have several butterflies cut from the plastic. Butterflies can be strung by doing the following:

• Pierce the center with a needle or knife.
• Thread a string (or yarn) through the hole.
• If you want to create a strand of butterflies, tie a knot at each butterfly, leaving 6"-12" of string between each butterfly.

Ocean in a Bottle

You’ll need:

• 12-oz plastic soda bottle
• Non-toxic oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Water
• Food coloring
• Glitter and/or confetti
• Small, lightweight plastic items

How To Make Your Ocean in a Bottle

Rinse the plastic bottle to ensure all the sticky is gone. Pour non-toxic oil in the bottle, until it is about half-full. Insert color, glitter, confetti, and small plastic items that you child likes. Add enough water to fill the bottle to the top. Replace lid on bottle. (If you are worried about the cap accidentally falling off, seal the cap with non-toxic glue.)

From Cardboard Tubes

Rainsticks

You’ll need:

• Cardboard tubes from paper towels or bathroom tissue
• Masking tape
• Small felt squares
• Tempera paint
• Elmer’s glue or other white craft glue
• Rice, lentils, or small beans

How To Make Your Rainsticks

First, using tempera paint, let your kids paint the tubes. Set aside and allow to dry. Next, punch tiny holes into the tube. You might use a large needle or small knife to create holes the size of a toothpick.

Now it’s time for the fun part! Place a felt square over one end of the tube and either glue or tape it down. Pour a mixture of fillers into the tube, then apply the other felt square over the open end. (Using a variety of mixtures and fillers will create different sounds.)

There are all sorts of things you can make out of stuff lying around the house. Keep your eyes open and get input from your kids, as they will probably come up with more ideas than you ever could. Here are more ideas to spark your creativity:

• Empty egg cartons
• Aluminum foil
• Old newspapers
• Baby food jars
• Empty vegetable cans
• Paper bags
• Plastic bottles