I just love being able to recycle things and make unique crafts with my daughter. This craft is no different, it uses only a few items and re-uses multiple things out of your recycling bins. My child, like many others, loves rainbows and has been bugging me to do a craft where she could make one herself for a while now. So we looked in the recycling bin and found some materials to create one.
Now we had a bunch of old newspapers and ads in our recycling bin but they didn't look very colorful or pretty. So we decided to make our own colorful paper and do a paper mache style for texture. My daughter had so much fun not only making a small mess with painting but then ripping the paper into little pieces.
If you want more recycled craft ideas check these out:
Supplies:
Cardboard (about 8in X 10in)
Sheet of paper to mount the rainbow
Newspaper
Paint Brushes
Paint
Cotton Balls
Glue
Directions:
1) Start by taking sheets of newspaper, preferably with mostly words and not pictures if possible and laying them flat. Using the brushes paint them different colors that you want in your rainbow.They don't have to be the standard colors either, mix it up and make one that's only shades of blue, only warm colors or even a black and white one (my daughter really loves skunks and wants to try this one next).
2) While the paint is drying flatten out your cardboard (we used a pasta noodle box for our project). Using a marker, pen or pencil trace a rainbow arch shape onto the cardboard. Don't worry if it's not perfect or if the marks are not pretty because it will all be covered up at the end. Now you might have to help your child with cutting the shape out depending on how thick the cardboard is.
3) Grab the dry pages of newspaper and start ripping it up into small pieces that are about 1in X 1in. Your child could also use scissors to cut up the pieces and work on those scissor skills. Sort the colors into different piles so they are easier to grab for the next step.
4) Start at the top of your rainbow and put a layer of glue along the whole top. Take red pieces (or whatever color you want for your rainbow) and layer them along the whole top covering all of the cardboard in-between each bit. Repeat this step with each new row of colors until you finish the rainbow.
5) Now finish it off by gluing the rainbow to a piece of paper for the sky. Take a few cotton balls and gently pull them apart making them thin and fluffy. Then put a little bit of glue at the two ends of the rainbow and put the thin cotton balls there to create a cloud effect.
Then you're all done! You now have a super cute and recycled rainbow craft you can display in your home. My daughter decided to give this one to her Grannie so 'her kitchen would be beautiful'. So spread some color and joy by trying this craft out and maybe having your child gift it to someone they love.
Leave a comment below if you tried this craft or with what types of recycled crafts you want to see me try next! Also don't forget to subscribe for more fun craft ideas.