Still Playing School: Search results for recycle

Dinosaur Small World with Homemade Volcanoes

We made the perfect volcanoes for dinosaur small world play using a few household items! The volcanoes turned out better than I envisioned and my daughter said this was her favorite project that we've ever made together so it was a hit with both of us!

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Plastic Lid Planets

Inspired by our plastic lid Earth craft we created a solar system of recycled plastic lid planets! We've just launched our solar system and space preschool science unit and we love to craft with recycled materials.

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Polar Habitat Diorama

By Devany | Labels: 4 Comments

E made a polar region diorama as an extension of our polar region unit and to launch Project: Recycle & Create.  This month's material was a cardboard box.


When I saw this box in the pile of trash to be discarded after Christmas, I grabbed it.  I knew it would make a perfect diorama.  
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Plastic Bottle Water Tower for Kids

We have been having so much fun playing with water this summer from our homemade water wall to gross motor color mixing. Our latest creation was a water funneling tower made from recycled plastic bottles!

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Rainbow Textured Ribbon Sensory Board

By Devany | Labels: 2 Comments

We love the challenge of creating with materials that would otherwise be thrown away!  This month's material for Project: Recycle & Create is styrofoam!  We saved and sanitized a styrofoam packing tray to make a rainbow textured ribbon sensory board!
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Beekeeping: A Pretend Play Prompt

After visiting our friends' bee hive we created our own pretend play beekeeping prompt with costumes and tools. We even made the honeycomb ourselves! 


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The Benefits of Creative Collage for Kids

We made a large scale scarecrow collage out of recycled materials to decorate for Fall! As our preschooler was working on her artistic creation I was realizing all of the benefits of creating collages for kids.


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Penguin Small World Play on the Light Table

Our light table transformed into a beautiful, icy penguin small world play area with a few simple supplies and real snow!

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Recycled Take Out Container Frankenstein

By Devany | Labels: Be the first to comment!

We may be addicted to recycled crafts this autumn season.  Before we put anything in the trash or recycle bin, E and I both analyze it to think of what it could become!  

Our latest creation is a recycled take out container turned into a Frankenstein.  We have a running joke in our family that Mr. SPS is scared of Frankenstein.  E wanted to make a happy one to make him feel more brave around them!  


Start with a take out container, preferably after your lovely husband brings you home sesame chicken and white rice for dinner.


Turn the container upside down and paint it green.  Our paint didn't quite cover the text on the top of the container, but that's fine because Frank needs hair.


Glue on eyes.  After doing an image search for Frankenstein, E decided to draw on the nose, scar, and mouth with markers.  She drew him sticking his tongue out so he would be too silly for Daddy to be scared!


We glued on felt hair.  Our Frankenstein was ALIVE!  I love how the handle of the take out container reminds me of his bolted on head!

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Egg Carton Snowmen on the Light Table

Egg carton snowmen on the light table are an opportunity to recycle and create simultaneously! Our preschooler also practiced drawing and tying while she worked on her snowman.

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Candy Shop: A Pretend Play Prompt

A kid in a candy shop is a simile for a reason. What could be more motivating and fun than a pretend play candy store with real candy? 

Kid experience math, writing, and fine motor skills through this pretend play candy shop dramatic center!

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Stamping Hearts with Recycled Coffee Cup Sleeves

By Devany | Labels: 2 Comments

Still Playing School runs on love and coffee.  We combined the two for this art activity!  We stamped hearts with recycled coffee cup sleeves!  
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Gingerbread House on the Light Table

By Devany | Labels: Be the first to comment!

Our gingerbread house on the light table was a recycled cake box from the kids' birthday party!  I look at everything before we recycle it now to see how we can use it in crafting or play.


We also discovered one of the best light table play tricks we've used so far!
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Fairy Land: Building with Recycled Materials on the Light Table

Our preschooler constructed a fairy land on the light table using recycled materials! The magical and girly pretend play sparked her imagination and mine.

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The Best Acorn Crafts and Activities for Kids

Acorns are abundant in the fall so they are perfect for autumn activities for kids. If there are no acorns where you live, we've got ideas for acorn crafts and manipulatives you can try instead! These would be perfect for a fall preschool theme!

The perfect acorn crafts and activities for kids during fall!
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Recycled Packing Sheet Ghosts

By Devany | Labels: Be the first to comment!
I had this crafty invitation set up for E to create and recycle with a white packing sheet.  She was thrilled to discover it!


She jumped right in to start drawing some of her own ghost shapes. 



This craft was the perfect way for E to practice her scissors skills on a sturdy material that wasn't too difficult to cut.  I cut around the ghosts for her while she trimmed off the excess.


The (washable) black marker came off on our hands so I'd recommend using a Sharpie.


Next E glued on eyes.  I love her scrunched up nose here!  The glue bottle worked her fingers and hand muscles!



To add variety, I had round label stickers out.  E drew feminine eyes for "ghosty mommas" and spooky, angry eyes, too!


 Here is the whole crew waiting to dry!  I strung clear, stretchy beading string through the tops so we could hang these as decorations throughout the house!


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No Mess Painting in a Bag Earth Craft

This week's preschool theme is our lovely home the Earth! If you are looking for a quick and easy Earth Day craft for kids then this mess free Earth craft is perfect.

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