Four family-friendly crafts for Earth Day
.JPG "Earth Day craft projects from left to right: 1970's styled 3D plastic spoon art, glass jar luminaries, newspaper handprint trees and a bottle cap serving tray.")
On Wednesday, we’ll celebrate the 45th anniversary of Earth Day.
Many people will consider their impact on the environment and try to make small changes to mark the occasion. If you’re looking for a few artsy ways to make the most of your recycling — and share the concept of Earth Day with younger consumers — here are four kid-friendly art projects that snag used items from the clutches of the big green or blue bin and repurpose them.
Newspaper handprint trees
Green handprints create the leaves of this eco-friendly tree art project. Kids will enjoy the mess, so be sure to protect the work surface and clothing.
What you need:
- Newspaper pages
- Green and brown paint (We used all-purpose acrylic paint, which washes easily.)
- Sponge brushes
What to do:
1. Lay out a sheet of newspaper and place a few layers beneath it to protect the work surface.
2. Paint a long rectangle using the brown paint on the middle of the page for a trunk. Rinse the brush or, using a clean one, brush a generous coat of green paint onto one hand. Press the hand onto the paper to make a print above the trunk. Repeat as needed to fill out the leaves on the tree.
3. Allow the paint to dry completely overnight, then trim the newspaper and frame for hanging if you choose.
Bonus: Have each child “autograph” his or her handprint and write the date. Make another tree next year to see how everyone has grown.
1970s-style 3-D plastic spoon art
Retro is making a comeback. Imitate the folk-art style of the 1970s with leftovers from a weekend get-together.
What you need:
- Plastic spoons and other utensils
- Wine corks
- Wire cutters or sharp scissors
- Serrated knife
- Hot glue gun and glue
- Spray paint in various colors (We used green, gold and black.)
- Blank canvas
What to do:
1. To cut the utensils, score the edges using scissors and gently snap apart by hand. Use caution; edges may be sharp. Cut the cork into thin slices using a serrated knife.
2. Use spray paint outdoors and be sure to protect work surfaces from overspray. Place the cut pieces on a covered work surface and spray paint a light coat on each piece. Allow to dry for about one hour.
3. Arrange the painted pieces on the canvas in the design of your choice. We used spoons for flower petals, cork slices for the centers, and knives for leaves and stems. Glue the utensils to the canvas one at a time. When all pieces are attached, allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
Bonus: Incorporate other small recyclables, such as plastic bottle caps, straws or the zillions of plastic gumball machine toys hiding in your child’s room.
Glass jar luminaries
Luminaries make a fun addition to the dining table, indoor or out. Use electric tea lights to avoid an open flame. Swap for citronella candles to ward off mosquitoes.
What you need:
- Empty glass jars
- Paint in various colors (We tried both all-purpose acrylic and indoor-outdoor paints.)
- Tea lights or candles
What to do:
1. Wash out used jars and remove product labels. For stubborn labels, rubbing alcohol will help remove the glue. Be sure to wash thoroughly and dry completely before painting.
2. Set up a drip area with several sheets of newspaper to protect the work surface. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of paint into the glass jar. Swirl the paint to cover the bottom and tip the jar sideways so the paint can run over the inside. When all sides are covered, pour excess paint back into the paint container.
3. Turn the painted jar upside down so it will drip onto the newspaper. Repeat the process for each jar. Allow the jars to dry for about 24 hours, moving as needed for the first hour or two to prevent sticking.
4. When the jars are dry, add a tea light or candle to each one.
Bonus: A large painted jar also makes a nice flower vase. Place a smaller container inside the jar to hold the water without damaging the paint job.
Bottle-cap serving tray
Metal bottle caps are recyclable, but the small pieces of metal can jam equipment at the sorting facility. An environmentally-friendly option is to turn your metal bottle caps into functional art.
What you need:
- A small collection of metal bottle caps
- Serving tray
- Pourable epoxy resin (Found at your favorite craft or hardware store.)
- Disposable cup and stirring stick
What to do:
1. Be sure to read all instructions carefully before using the epoxy resin. Some brands may recommend working in a well-ventilated area.
2. If the serving tray is not sealed, run a line of glue along the seams to prevent the epoxy from leaking out.
3. Lay out the bottle caps inside the serving tray. We used 98 for a 10-by-13-inch tray. Mix the epoxy resin and pour it over the bottle caps. Our tray required approximately 16 ounces of epoxy for thorough coverage. The epoxy should settle in a flat, even layer.
4. Allow the epoxy to dry for 24 hours or according to package directions.
Bonus: The same technique can be used to make smaller or larger items, like a set of coasters or a tabletop.
This story was originally published April 17, 2015 at 1:56 PM with the headline "Four family-friendly crafts for Earth Day."