By Colleen Sell
Easy-peasy projects that make learning about ecology fun for everyone!
The ideal crafts project for kids has four characteristics:
- It is enjoyable and relatively easy to do.
- It can be made with materials you have or can purchase easily and inexpensively.
- It helps your grandchild develop skills and/or acquire knowledge.
- Kids can enjoy and learn from it after it’s made.
Here are 5 eco-craft projects that hit all those marks. Plus, making these together will give you an opportunity to talk with your grandkids about Earth’s natural wonders and how to protect them.
Ball Catcher
Cut the bottom off a gallon-size plastic jug. Decorate the jug with markers, stickers, or colored masking tape. Make a ball by covering a wad of newspaper with colored masking tape. My 4-year-old twin grandsons and I made two ball-catchers and played catch using a small, lightweight rubber ball that we found in the toy box (more bounce and fun than the homemade ball).
Learn how at Lakeshore Learning.
Pickle Jar Terrarium
Take a big jar with a lid, add some potting soil, a small plant, and a rock, shell, or plastic critter, and voila! You’ve got a terrarium your grandchild can tend and the two of you can talk about for months.
Learn how at Hellobee.com.
Balloon-Propelled, Milk-Carton Car
Made of drinking straws, a milk carton, bottle caps, masking tape, and a balloon, this car zooms across the table! My grands painted and put stickers on their cars before attaching the wheels and balloon while we talked about recycling and air pressure.
Learn how: click here to watch the balloon-car video.
Download a free balloon-car builder at pbskids.org.
Land Art
Go on a treasure hunt for sticks, leaves, flowers, rocks, berries, pinecones, grass, clumps of clay, bird feathers, and whatever other materials catch your grandkids’ and your eyes. Use the materials to create artwork on the lawn, patio, or a “canvas” made of cardboard or a board covered with dried mud.
Learn how at ArtfulKids.com.
Paper-Bead Jewelry
Make beads out of scrap paper + string beads to craft a necklace and/or bracelet = pretty trash-to-treasure project!
Learn how at Green Kid Crafts.
Through October 31, 2013, Green Kid Crafts is offering a special discount to fans of GRAND! Just type in the “coupon” code “GRAND” at checkout to save 10% on any Green Kid Crafts products, including gift subscriptions.
Want more crafting ideas?
Go to Top 10 Crafting Sites for Grandkids!
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Colleen Sell is the eco-conscious grandmother of six nature-loving grandchildren. She is also the editor-in-chief of GRAND Magazine.
