This is a fun way to do a painting project by upcycling different materials. Start by gathering up any materials that you can use for painting. This could be just about anything: toilet paper tubes, bubble wrap, marker caps, old yogurt cups, lids, empty water bottles, straws, corrugated cardboard, and so on. You can have your children help to gather these items together, and discuss the concepts behind recycling and reusing, upcycling, and more.
Next, choose some paints. You may want to limit how many colors you use per project, as they will likely get mixed together to some extent. For this kind of painting project, it can be useful to spread some paint on a plate or other flat surface, so that you can coat larger items like pieces of bubble wrap.
We cut the ends of toilet paper rolls to make “flowers”. Be creative – you can alter things in different ways to get a variety of textures and shapes. Another idea is to pull apart corrugated cardboard to expose the ridges, or use the edge of a thick piece of corrugated cardboard. You can roll a water bottle on its side in the paint, or you can dip the bottom in and use it like a stamp.
There are many ways to make this a versatile project, as far as being creative, and tailoring it to different age children and making it an educational experience too.
Some teaching concepts you can incorporate into this fun painting project include:
~ recycling, reuse, and upcycling
~ mixing paint colors to create new colors
~ use only primary colors, or pastels, or neons, etc.
~ making patterns
~ explore a variety of textures, including those beyond recycled materials (sponges, sandpaper, and so on)
My daughter and son love painting, especially on a rainy day. We love the idea of painting with recycled materials.
Oh cool, I know my daughter will have a blast with this. We’ll have to try it over the weekend.
The next time I visit my granddaughter I will have to paint with her. She will love this fun activity.
This is so fun and creative! I love having the kids use unconventional items to paint with.
I love this activity. Thanks for sharing this. Kids will surely enjoy it too
My nephew is fond of painting and I’d love to try this fun activity with him!
This looks like a lot of fun. I would love to do something like this with my nieces and nephews.
My kids always enjoyed doing activities like this My granddaughter will be old enough to enjoy these activities soon!
Looks like a great activity to do with my son over the Easter break. He would really love this.
This is actually a really great project! I would love to get my kids into something like this.
How fun! It reminds me of my elementary days. We did something similar and had fun.
This looks like it would be so much for kids – there is nothing quite like having a play at painting.
What a fun project to keep kids active while learning about recycling. Sharing this with friends who have kids. Cheers.
This is really fun project kids will love it. I like the idea of recyling.
This is really fun! My kids will go crazy over this idea! A must try it!
I am loving this idea of painting with recycled materials! The kids will have so much fun doing this painting project.
Oooh so much fun and a great way to upcycle things. My daughters are 7 and 14 and they both love painting. We don’t typically use recycled materials though. We will for sure have to try it.
What a cute, fun idea! I’ll have to try this with my little cousins.