Some of our very favorite craft projects are taking items that would usually be garbage (or recycling) and turning them into whole new creations. There is a treasure of craft supplies right in your discard pile! For some great ideas on using two of these staples: cardboard tubes and egg cartons, we have a pair of fun books by Fiona Hayes.
The first, 51 Things to Make with Cardboard Tubes, shows you how to transform unwanted cardboard tubes into dinosaurs, vehicles, jungle animals, monsters, woodland creatures, ocean life and much more. These are great activities for parents and children to create together and serve as a “jumping off” point for kids to use their imagination and make their own creations. The 51 projects included in the book feature a well-balanced mix of techniques, materials, colors, and styles for a range of ages.
I am a little bummed that so many brands have moved to plastic or styrofoam egg cartons because cardboard egg cartons are really the best ones for projects! (Although you can see our mini basket craft with styrofoam egg cartons here.) If you are lucky enough to have cardboard cartons, you’ll want to check out 51 Things to Make with Egg Cartons. Using the ideas in this book you can transform unwanted egg cartons into insects, monsters, reptiles, and much more. Again, these are great activities for adults and kids to work on together and the 51 projects feature a well-balanced mix of techniques, materials, colors, and styles for a range of ages.
About the Author: Fiona Hayes sounds like my kind of lady! She has illustrated, designed and written children’s books for nearly 20 years, and has worked with children and adults on a wide range of craft projects. She has always loved making things, from baking to all sorts of crafts. From her point of view, things you make are always better than anything you can buy, and best of all, creating wonderful stuff makes you and everyone else smile!
Reader Giveaway: One lucky Jinxy Kids reader will win both 51 Things to Make with Cardboard Tubes and 51 Things to Make with Egg Cartons. To enter, just complete the entry form below by 11:59pm ET on 9/20/16. Good luck!
Joan Kubes says
I would make these with my niece. My favorite thing to use is recycled toilet paper rolls.
Charles D says
It would be for my nieces but I cold see my dad getting the most use out of it. He likes to make flowers out of paper towel rolls and hide them throughout the house before my mom has guests over. My favorite recycled material would be cardboard boxes, but I don’t make flowers out of them.
Robin Abrams says
My granddaughter and I will be making them. We use everything to make crafts
Julie Lundstrom says
My nieces and nephew would love this. They love crafts and can make something fun just out of cardboard.
Azad SIDDIK says
I WANT IT FOR MY FUTURE KIDS.
Nancy Luebke says
My grandchildren would have fun with this. For myself, I recycle old CD’s. I crochet for both sides and they make wonderful coasters, great for the big mugs and such. They are a big hit.
vickie couturier says
this would be for my grankids to make some crafts
Susan Hartman says
I love to do crafts with my grandchildren. It would be great to get some new ideas plus I love the idea of reusing.
Jeanna Massman says
My daughter could really use these books to get ideas for her job at the Children’s Museum of Tucson. They use lots of recycled materials.
Wendy Caddy says
I would do these crafts with my grandkids. I save all kinds of bits and bobs for crafting.
Edna Williams says
I would be using these ideas for crafts with my granddaughter! I love the idea of recycling cardboard tubes!
Ashley C says
My little’s would be making them. I love to recycle anything! Old magazine crafts are a favorite though.
Alex says
What great books!
Kristin McCall says
My little brother would love to learn how to make these crafts. I love using milk jugs to make recycled crafts.
Denise S says
My youngest son would make this and he loves using cardboard boxes or crafts.
Melissa C says
I’d craft with my 4 kids and we love recycling old water bottles, milk jugs (we made piggy banks from milk jugs) and empty folgers coffee canisters.
kelly g says
My boy and I would be making them.
Alyssa Annico says
This would be great for teachers and schools on a budget!
Dorothy Hubbard says
I will be donating this book to my church, and I am sure they will put it to good use. I don’t do much crafting.
holly lawson says
I will be making these with my kids and we love using cardboard boxes and paper towel rolls to make all kinds of fun crafts
Caitlyn B. says
My nieces and nephew will love making these crafts with me!
Sonya Morris says
I will be using this to make fun crafts with the kids. I love using cardboard boxes for crafts.
courtney b says
my daughter would love this !:)
Thanks!! xoxoxo
Jenette says
I would be making these with my daughters.
Ashley Judd says
I would love to give this as a Secret Angel Christmas gift!
Stephanie Liske says
I would love to win these for my husbands daughter. She would have fun with these.
M Moore says
I’d be making theses crafts with my four kids. My favorite material to use is cereal boxes.
Rosanne says
I will be making these with my grandchildren or giving it to my daughter in law to make with her 1st grade students
susan smoaks says
i would make these with my kids. we like to do crafts together.
Stephanie Larison says
My oldest daughter would love to do these crafts! We like using toilet paper rolls for crafts.
Barbara Fox says
I will be making these with my granddaughter & hopefully, soon, my grandson. I like using anything that I would normally throw out when making kids crafts!
Mallory Roberts says
I’ll make these crafts with my three year old son if I win the books. Thanks for the giveaway! This looks so fun!
Francine Anchondo says
My kids will be and they like to use everything they can think of.
Katt Lewis says
I love the alligator! I have Grandkids in mind for these.
Marty Crosson says
My daughter and I would make some and then donate the book to her pre=school.
Rosey says
I like the giraffe, we’ll make that one. My favorite thing right now to use to recycle and make projects is empy yogurt cups.
Tina reynolds says
My kids would love this we always try and reuse things. Reduce reuse equals a ton of fun
Amy H. says
My daughter and I would do these crafts! We’ve used toilet paper rolls for crafts.
Candie L says
This would be perfect for my nieces on a snow day. Thank you
james jenkins says
My wonderful neighbor, Lisa, loves making crafts projects with her at-home kids; these are for her. I just like re-purposing all types of materials, especially heavy-weight, printed papers.
Lily Kwan says
I will be making these crafts. My favorite recycled material to use for DIY projects/crafts is empty paper tubes.