Weekend Projects for Kids That Turn Recyclables into Treasures
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Time to Read: 8 min
While it's true for every day, on weekends especially, keeping kids occupied can be a real struggle. Fun, engaging activities that don’t involve hours glued to a device are what we all want to offer them. Recycling projects are a fantastic way to do just that. They turn everyday waste into creative treasures while also keeping little hands and minds busy and teaching valuable lessons about reducing and reusing waste.
These hands-on projects are about learning real-life skills in a fun way. In the spirit of Montessori, children get to use their senses, explore, and create with what they already have. Giving a child the chance to transform an old magazine or a plastic bottle into something entirely new is empowering. It helps them understand that they can make a difference, even in small ways, and see the potential in everyday objects.
Kids dive into creativity, gain an appreciation for the environment, and practice problem-solving through recycling projects—all without leaving home. I like to make a great brunch on the weekends, serve things up on our sustainable dishware, and then have a crafternoon. Everyone wins!
About Ahimsa
Founded by a pediatrician and mom of three
Stainless steel is the only kid-friendly material recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics
We are guided by a Scientific Advisory Council comprised of environmental and medical experts, guiding us in creating the safest products, following the latest science and promoting policy to protect human health and our planet
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1. DIY Plastic Bottle Planters
Materials needed: plastic bottles, paint, soil, seeds.
From an empty plastic bottle, create a colorful planter that kids will love. First, make sure an adult handles the cutting, specifically to cut the plastic bottle in half. For the planter, use the bottom half. Let the kids paint it using their favorite colors to add a personal touch. Fill it with soil once dry and plant a small plant or seed. Flowers, herbs, or even a veggie seed are great options that kids can pick to watch grow.
A chance to care for their own plant and understand the life cycle, from seed to sprout, is what this project offers. It’s also a perfect way to teach responsibility, patience, and how plants grow. Plus, by giving a new purpose to an old bottle, it reduces plastic waste.
2. Tin Can Drums
Materials needed: empty tin cans, balloons, rubber bands, sticks.
Turn empty cans into a mini drum set that will get everyone grooving. Start by taking a balloon, cutting off the neck, and stretching it tightly over the open end of a tin can. Secure it in place with a rubber band—easy peasy! Try different sizes of cans to make a whole range of sounds, from deep booms to snappy taps. Encourage the kids to use sticks or even their fingers to explore different beats and rhythms.
This project brings the Montessori spirit to life by giving kids a chance to explore sound. They get to feel vibrations, hear changes in tone, and experiment with how materials and shapes affect the music they create. It’s all about having fun, being curious, and making a joyful noise—an experience that’s both educational and a total blast!
3. Cardboard Box City
Materials needed: scissors, tape, cardboard boxes, markers.
Turn your living room into a whole new world! Let the kids grab some old cardboard boxes and go wild, creating their own mini town or city. They can stack boxes into skyscrapers, cut out windows and doors, and use markers and tape to decorate everything. From streets to shops and even homes, their imagination can take them anywhere.
This project shows kids how to reuse stuff you might’ve tossed otherwise while sparking creativity with things they already have. As they plan and build, problem-solving comes naturally—like deciding what to add to their city or figuring out how to keep buildings from falling over.
Cardboard Box City isn’t just some craft project. It lets kids spend hours lost in play, imagine their own world, and enjoy letting their creativity run free. Whether they’re building shops for stuffed animals or homes for action figures, they’ll have a blast creating a space that’s completely theirs.
4. Egg Carton Insects
Materials needed: egg cartons, paints, glue, pipe cleaners.
Transform those leftover egg cartons in to bugs! First, cut the egg carton into individual cups—each cup becomes the body of a bug. With bright colors, let the kids paint the cups, turning them into ladybugs, bees, or any insect they can dream up. Use pipe cleaners for legs and antennae, and glue them onto the painted cups to complete their bug creations.
Curiosity about the natural world is sparked by this fun project, bringing kids closer to the tiny creatures they see outside. It’s hands-on learning since kids explore different insect shapes, use colors creatively, and learn about insect parts while making something fun.
5. Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Materials needed: milk cartons, paint, string, birdseed.
Turn an empty milk carton into a bird feeder that invites nature into your backyard. First, rinse the milk carton—make sure an adult handles the cutting—and cut a large opening on one side. Let the kids decorate the outside however they like and paint it, making it as cheerful and bright as possible. Punch a hole at the top, thread a string through, and tie a knot so you can hang it up. Fill the bottom with birdseed.
Watching birds come to enjoy the feeder they made themselves is something they’ll love. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to teach responsibility, as kids will need to check the feeder and keep it filled. Simple and engaging, it connects children directly to nature while encouraging kindness towards animals.
Tips for Parents on Encouraging Creative Reuse
Set up a recycling station makes it easier for kids to understand what materials can be reused. Use separate bins for plastic, metal and paper, just like they do at school. Make sure they’re labeled clearly. So they feel part of the process, let the kids decorate the bins.
Situate the recycling station at a child-friendly height and using bright colors. Creating an environment that encourages exploration is at the heart of the Montessori approach. By setting up a recycling space that invites kids to experiment, they learn how to make decisions about what can be reused and how to get creative with everyday materials.
Snacktime Essentials
Weekend Fun That Lasts
Weekends are perfect for spending quality time together, learning new skills, and making a positive impact on the planet. These recycling projects are more than just crafts—they’re opportunities to create lasting memories, teach valuable lessons, and inspire creativity. From crafting bird feeders to building entire cardboard cities, each activity helps children explore, imagine, and understand the importance of reusing everyday items.
Give these projects a try, and see how much fun your family can have with just a few simple materials. Share your creations with friends or even online to inspire others to join in.
Sustainability is a core value for Ahimsa, and for me. It’s something we think about a lot, and our products are made with longevity and durability in mind. Take a look at some of our stainless steel dishware, like the Mindful Mealtime set. I bet you’ll find something you and your family will use and enjoy for years to come.
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi
Dr. Manasa Mantravadi is a board-certified pediatrician whose dedication to children’s health drove her to launch Ahimsa, the world's first colorful stainless steel dishes for kids. She was motivated by the American Academy of Pediatrics’ findings on harmful chemicals in plastic affecting children's well-being. Ahimsa has gained widespread recognition and been featured in media outlets such as Parents Magazine, the Today Show, The Oprah Magazine, and more.
Dr. Mantravadi received the esteemed “Physician Mentor of the Year” award at Indiana University School of Medicine in 2019. She was also named a Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur in 2021, with her inspiring story showcased on Good Morning America. She serves on the Council for Environmental Health and Climate Change and the Council for School Health at The American Academy of Pediatrics. She represents Ahimsa as a U.S. industry stakeholder on the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) for the Global Plastics Treaty, led by the United Nations Environment Program. Dr. Mantravadi leads Ahimsa's social impact program, The Conscious Cafeteria Project, to reduce carbon emissions and safeguard student health as part of a national pilot of the Clinton Global Initiative.
She is dedicated to educating and empowering people to make healthier, more environmentally friendly choices at mealtime. Her mission remains to advocate for the health of all children and the one planet we will leave behind for them through real policy change within our food system.
More Snacktime Essentials
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use stainless steel instead of plastic? Is stainless steel better for health?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released a report in July 2018 suggesting ways that families can limit exposure to certain chemicals at mealtime, including “the use of alternatives to plastic, such as glass or stainless steel, when possible.” The report explained that “…some additives are put directly in foods, while “indirect” additives may include chemicals from plastic, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard”. Further, “Children are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they eat and drink more, relative to body weight, than adults do, and are still growing and developing.” While stainless steel items meet the recommendation to avoid plastic products in children, Ahimsa® products have the obvious advantage of not breaking like glass.
Is stainless steel better for the environment than plastic?
According to the Steel Recycling Institute, steel can be recycled over and over and over again without losing its integrity and requires less energy to recycle than to make anew. Most plastic unfortunately ends up in landfills and it is estimated to take 700 years to decompose. Our special coloring process that allows Ahimsa® products to be fully metal is environmentally friendly, so it does not produce toxic run-off into the ecosystem.
Will Ahimsa products break or peel?
No. Our steel is durable, so it won’t break or shatter with everyday use, like glass. And it won’t peel, like other colored stainless steel products you’ve seen. We use a special process that allows the colors to naturally occur in the metal.
Which Ahimsa products are best for my little one(s)?
Our products are meant to last, you can use Ahimsa at ages 1, 8 and 18! We thoughtfully design our products to be safe for little ones and our planet while reducing consumption. Once your child outgrows the Starting Solids Set and can use regular cups and utensils, the training cup is the perfect size rinse cup in the bathroom, the infant spoon doubles as a tea stirrer and the bowl is great for snacks or as an additional compartment to our modular divided plate. Our plates are great for any age as they encourage choosing a variety of healthy foods at each meal and help visualize portion sizes easily. It’s the lasting beauty of stainless steel - grows with your child and reduces waste.
