Expand Your Home Studio: Look to the Recycle Bin

Parents marvel at how a toddler will amuse himself for hours with just a collection of Tupperware.

The same can be true for art materials, sometimes less is more and the new and novel can come from unexpected places, like the recycling bin.  Kids and parents have improvised playthings for generations and the many wonderful building toys available attest to the fact that making is as much fun as having.

Begin to look at your recyclables with new eyes and see what roles they might play in inventing a new construction.

Plastic tops in different sizes and colors make wonderful stacking cups.  For smaller children, aim to use only those materials that fit through a paper towel tube - a good gauge that pieces will not be too small.  Tops can also be great for arranging, playing with design, pattern and practicing counting for preschoolers.

What about all those boxes, bins and plastic bottles?  

Set aside an interesting collection and invite your child to imagine new possibilities. Parents play an important role here in helping with cutting and attachment.  Tape, glue, scissors, and an X-ACTO knife can be helpful.  

Older preschoolers and school-age children can select materials and then draw a design on paper pointing out where they might need help with cutting or taping.  Be creative, you may find twist ties, string or even staples are also good attachment strategies.

Take inspiration from schools and preschools too. Teachers of young children are masters of repurposing so a biscuit tin becomes a surprise can, a plastic bottle a piggy bank, or a paper plate a mask.  

Costumes are also a favorite with recycled materials. Look for caps or tags that can be attached to a string for beading or try cutting and folding paper bags into inventive new garments.  Whatever the costume, encourage your child to decorate with crayons and markers.

Small toys and action figures can also be a good source of inspiration.  Many a rocket has been built in my home for a particular turtle eraser as well as interesting homes and forts for small plastic animals.

One nice thing about recyclable materials is they are in ready supply so there is plenty of opportunity for building and improving on a design.  Collecting is half the fun so start creating your supply of recycled materials today and let the building begin.  Please post pictures to inspire other artists.