Art supplies can get expensive, especially when you’re trying to keep things fresh and exciting for your kids. While investing in versatile, high-quality supplies is important—and I’ve put together a Teacher’s Recommended List of everything I’ve stocked and restocked in my studio over the years—sometimes you can get just as creative with what you have at home. Using recycled materials not only saves money but also makes for some pretty awesome art projects.
Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up those endless ecommerce boxes and old magazines that are piling up.
If you’re looking for easy art projects for kids, I’ve got nine great ideas using recycled materials. These recycled art projects are fun, open-ended, and encourage creative exploration. Whether you’re homeschooling, teaching, or just looking for something to keep your kids busy, these activities are simple to set up and clean up!
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1. Paper Mosaics: Easy Art Projects for Kids Using Scrap Paper
If you’ve got colored scrap paper or even old magazines lying around, you can turn them into beautiful paper mosaics. Kids can tear or cut the paper into small pieces and arrange them into larger images or patterns, exploring shapes, colors, and composition. This is an easy art project for kids that’s not only budget-friendly but also great for introducing them to the concept of mosaics.
2. Cardboard Weaving: DIY Art with Recycled Materials for Kids
One of the simplest ways to introduce kids to fiber art is through cardboard weaving. All you need is some cardboard and yarn or fabric scraps. Cut a cardboard loom, thread the yarn, and let your kids experiment with weaving. The repetitive, hands-on process is not only calming but also helps develop fine motor skills, making this a perfect art activity for kids at home.
3. Cubomania and Surrealist Collage: Easy Recycled Art Projects for Kids Using Magazines
Cubomania is a surrealist technique that’s simple yet fascinating. Take some old magazines, cut images into squares, and rearrange them to create an abstract, dreamlike collage. It’s an easy way to recycle magazines and explore creativity without the pressure of making things perfect.
This project introduces children to surrealist concepts and encourages them to let go of control—each result is unique!
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4. Paper Pulp Sculpture: Creative DIY Art with Recycled Materials
Turn old paper into something brand new! This project is all about turning scrap paper into a pulp, which kids can then shape into sculptures. Whether they create bowls, animals, or abstract shapes, this is a hands-on way to teach kids about recycling while allowing them to get messy and creative. DIY art with recycled materials is easy, fun, and full of possibilities!
5. Cardboard Sculptures: Recycled Art Projects for Kids
Got extra cardboard boxes lying around? Cut them up and let your kids create their own sculptures! This project is incredibly open-ended—kids can build everything from towers to animals. Cardboard is sturdy enough to hold up for larger creations but still easy enough to work with for kids. It’s an ideal creative project using recyclables that can teach basic engineering and design.
6. Monochromatic Texture Sculptures: Sustainable Art for Kids Using Household Materials
This project takes inspiration from Alberto Burri and Piero Manzoni, pioneers in texture and material-focused art. Kids can create monochromatic texture sculptures using recycled materials like cardboard, fabric, and bottle caps, all painted in a single color. This technique emphasizes form, surface, and materiality, mimicking the work of Burri’s material canvases and Manzoni’s exploration of achromatic art.
It’s a fantastic introduction to the tactile elements of art, where the focus is on texture and composition over color.
7. Monochromatic (Achrome) Collage: Easy Art Activity for Kids at Home
This monochromatic collage project is inspired by Bruno Munari’s Art Labs and the Impressionist focus on color, light, and texture. Munari believed in hands-on exploration, letting kids experiment freely with materials. Using recycled paper, fabric, and other objects, children can create collages in a unified color palette, playing with contrast, texture, and layering.
This project encourages process-based learning and is a great introduction to how Impressionists used color theory in their works.
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- Design as Play: Who is Bruno Munari?
8. Collographs: Relief Printing with Recycled Materials
Collographs take printmaking to another level, using recycled materials to create a raised surface, or relief, that can be inked and printed. While this project does require a few extra tools—like printing ink and a roller—the results are fantastic, and kids will love creating their own prints.
You’ll need cardboard and textured recyclables to build your printing plate, which can be reused for multiple prints. It’s a more advanced project but a great introduction to printmaking!
9. Paper Sculpture: 3D Recycled Art Projects for Kids Using Scrap Paper
This is one of the simplest recycled art projects out there, but it’s incredibly versatile. Turn scrap paper into 3D sculptures by folding, curling, and stacking it into abstract or recognizable forms. Kids can experiment with shape, balance, and form, making this a perfect introduction to sculpture without needing expensive supplies. It’s all about creative exploration with minimal cleanup.
Final Thoughts: Embrace Creative & Sustainable Art for Kids
These nine easy art projects for kids using recycled materials are perfect for anyone looking to introduce creativity into their daily routine without spending a lot of money. By reusing everyday items like cardboard, magazines, and paper scraps, you’ll save on expensive art supplies while teaching kids about sustainability. Best of all, these projects are process-based, meaning the focus is on creativity and exploration rather than the final product.
Start gathering those recyclables, and let your kids’ imaginations run wild!
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