Do you have old cardboard boxes at home? Do not throw them away. You can make very nice things from that cardboard. This is called recycled cardboard craft. It is good for your pocket and good for the earth.
In this article, I will give you easy recycled cardboard craft ideas. Some of these are easy recycled cardboard craft ideas for adults. Some are easy recycled cardboard craft ideas for preschoolers. You do not need costly things. You do not need special tools. Just cardboard, scissors, glue, and some colours.
Let us start.
Cardboard is strong but light. You can cut it. You can fold it. You can paint it. And best of all – you get it for free. Every time you order something from Amazon or Flipkart, you get a cardboard box. Use that box for craft. Do not let it go to waste.
Children also love cardboard. They can touch it. They can draw on it. They can make their own toys. Adults can make useful things for home. So cardboard is good for everyone.
Here is a small list of things. You may already have all of them at home.
Cardboard pieces from old boxes
Normal school scissors
White glue or fevicol
Old newspaper (to protect your table)
Water colours or pencil colours
A pencil and ruler
Old cloth pieces or buttons (optional)
That is all. Now let us look at the craft ideas.
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Preschoolers are small children. They are three to five years old. They cannot use sharp tools. They cannot follow long steps. So these ideas are very simple. A mother, father, or teacher can help a little. But the child can do most of the work.
Take a flat piece of cardboard. Draw a circle, a square, and a triangle on it. Cut out the shapes from another piece of cardboard. Now the child can put the circle in the circle hole. The square in the square hole. This teaches shapes. This also makes fingers strong.
Cut cardboard into round bangles. Make them big so the child can wear them on the hand. Let the child paint the bangles with bright colours. Red, yellow, blue. Let them dry. Now the child has made bangles herself. She will feel very happy.
Take a small cardboard box. Do not close the top. Keep it open like a room. Help the child cut a door and a window. Then the child can colour the house. She can put her small doll inside. This is one of the best easy recycled cardboard craft ideas for preschoolers because it takes time and the child stays busy.
Draw a fish shape on cardboard. Cut it. Let the child paint the fish. Then take small round paper pieces. Stick them on the fish as scales. Use fevicol. The child will love making the fish look colourful.
Take three small cardboard boxes. Line them one after another. Stick them on a long cardboard strip. That is the train. Let the child paint each box a different colour. Draw wheels with a black pencil. The child can pull this train and play.
These five are very safe. No sharp cuts. No small pieces that go into the mouth. Always watch the child when she uses scissors. But these crafts mostly need only painting and pasting.
Now let us talk about adults. Adults want to make things that look good or work well. You can make home decor. You can make office organisers. You can make gifts. These are not hard. But they take a little more care and time.
Take a round or square piece of cardboard. Cut a hole in the middle. That hole should be smaller than your mirror. Now take small pieces of cardboard. Cut them into petal shapes. Stick them around the hole. Paint everything white or gold. Stick the mirror on the back. Hang it on your wall. It will look very nice. People will not believe it is made from old cardboard.
Take a long cardboard piece. Fold it into three parts. Make two small boxes from cardboard. Stick them on the back part. This creates space for pens, phones, and sticky notes. Cover everything with old newspaper or coloured paper. Now your desk is clean and your things are in one place.
Cut two same size rectangles from cardboard. Cut a square hole in one rectangle. That is the front. Stick a photo between the two rectangles. Leave the top open. Decorate the frame with small cardboard flowers or buttons. This makes a very personal gift for a friend or family member.
Take a strong thick piece of cardboard. Fold it from the middle like a V shape. Cut two small strips. Stick them at the bottom so the V stands without falling. Put your cooking book or study book on it. Now you can read without holding the book. Very useful for kitchen and study table.
Do your clothes get mixed in the drawer? Take thin cardboard. Cut pieces that are as tall as your drawer. Place them inside the drawer like walls. Now socks are in one part. Underwear in another part. Belts in another part. This is very simple but very useful. And no one sees that it is cardboard.
These five are easy recycled cardboard craft ideas for adults. They do not need any machine. They do not need any special skill. Just a little patience.
Sometimes you want to sit with your child and make the same thing. Here are two crafts for that.
Take a long piece of cardboard. Write your family name in big letters. Let your child colour the background. You cut the letters. The child pastes them. Stick this name plate outside your room door. Your child will feel proud every time she sees it.
Cut small square pieces from cardboard. Four or six pieces. Let your child paint each piece a different colour. When dry, you put a layer of glue on top to make it strong. Use these under your tea cups. Every time you drink tea, you will remember the time you made these with your child.
Cardboard is paper. So water can spoil it. Here are small tips.
Do not keep cardboard things in the bathroom or kitchen sink area.
If you use water colours, let the craft dry fully in sunlight.
Put a layer of fevicol on top after painting. It becomes like a thin plastic coat.
Keep cardboard crafts away from small babies who put things in mouth.
If a corner bends, put a small piece of tape behind it.
These tips are simple. Follow them and your craft will stay good for many months.
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Yes. Cereal boxes, shoe boxes, Amazon boxes, all work. Just remove the tape and stickers first.
No. Cardboard is free. Glue and colours cost very little. You can even use old paint from your home.
Use sharp scissors. If the cardboard is very thick, ask an adult to cut it first. For preschoolers, parents should cut the shapes. Children can do the painting.
Yes. Many people sell cardboard photo frames, wall decor, and organisers on local craft melas or online sites. But make sure they look neat and clean.
For two year olds, only give painting work. Do not give small pieces. Do not let them use scissors. The shape sorting board is good for two year olds.
Do not look down on cardboard. It is not just waste. It is a chance to make something new. When you make these easy recycled cardboard craft ideas, you teach your child to save things. You also save your own money. You also keep one more box out of the garbage.
Start small. Make one craft this weekend. See how happy you feel. Then make the next one. Soon your home will have many beautiful things made by your own hands.
If you liked these ideas, share this article with your friends. Save this page on your phone. And the next time a cardboard box comes to your home, do not throw it. Keep it. Your next craft is waiting inside that box.