We often throw things away when they are no longer useful. However, there may be other purposes we could use them for. These pages contain some suggestions for using everyday items to make toys or household items. The materials should be cleaned thoroughly before they are used again.
Based on information from Sally Grantham-McGregor and Isabel Carter.
Making toys
Doll
Cut out two doll shapes from a piece of cloth and sew the edges together, leaving a small opening. Turn the doll inside out and stuff with scraps of material. Sew up the opening and sew or draw a face on the doll.
Stacking bottle tops
Cut at least three identical round plastic bottles in half for young children to make into towers. Make sure the edges are smooth and that lids are removed.
Rattle
Cut long strips from coloured plastic bottles. Put them inside a small clear plastic bottle and glue the lid on.
Puzzle
Draw or glue a picture on a piece of cardboard. Cut the picture into pieces. The older the child, the more pieces the picture can be cut into, to make the puzzle more difficult.
Household items
Soda bottle top curtain
Use a hammer to bend soda bottle tops in half. Thread these onto some long lengths of strong string. Attach them to a length of wood and hang the curtain. Beads and other materials can also be threaded onto the string between the bottle tops.
Newspaper bags
Fold pieces of newspaper and glue or tape them along the sides. Use a few sheets together for extra strength.
Plastic bottle packaging
Use the bottoms of two bottles, one to make the container and the other to make the lid. Make four vertical cuts around the lid and make them into petal shapes. Smooth down the rough edges and put the lid on.
Plastic bag mats
When plastic bags can no longer be used as bags because of holes, they can be knotted or woven into mats. If coloured plastic bags are used, patterned mats can be made.
Uses for tyres
Doormat
Caution! Ensure there are no sharp wires sticking out from the edges.
Plant container
Lay some plastic bags under the tyre to prevent water draining away.
Swing
Tie a strong piece of rope around a tyre and hang it from a tree. Make a hole in the bottom of the tyre so that rainwater does not collect in it. Ensure that the knots are secure.