When you wrap a toy in a box as a gift for a child, the child sometimes ends up playing with the box more than the toy. Why not save a step and just make the toys from cardboard boxes, too? Cardboard toys are cheap, creative, and often easier to make than you might think.
Store-bought cereals can seem a little mysterious sometimes. They have long lists of ingredients, unusual shapes and colors that are probably difficult to make at home. That’s why it can be fun to make homemade cereal for once, instead of just granola.
Cardboard tubes are one household supply you rarely run out of thanks to toilet paper. That’s why toys and crafts made with cardboard tubes are so handy. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can upcycle cardboard tubes.
Using props to tell a story is like playing a game, reading a book, and watching a play all at once. Storytelling toys are great because they don’t really have an age limit; they can spark creativity in kids as much as adults and make telling a story easier for everyone.
they’re used as canvases for art. Wendy Gold is a decoupage artist who does just that. She takes vintage globes with some ‘character’ and gives them a new face with decoupaged art.
Elbow patches are supposed to reenforce shirt sleeves or cover up holes, but most of the time, they’re only there because they look cool. It’s an old-fashioned necessity that has sparked dozens of creative DIY designs, easy enough for a timid sewer to accomplish.
The basic recipe for Rice Krispies Treats is easy: melt marshmallows with butter, combine with plenty of puffed rice cereal / “Rice Krispies,” and let it cool. For many creative cooks, the recipe is too simple to leave plain, especially since Rice Krispies Treats are so flexible.
At first, it might be difficult to think of using test tubes for anything but chemistry experiments. Their size and shape are perfect, though, for holding spices, party favors, or even tiny plants.
Once you’ve made ice cream sandwiches at home, the store-bought versions seem so boring. The recipes can be quite simple too. There are basically three ingredients: a type of ice cream, a type of cookie and something special to give it panache.
Floppy disk drives have mostly disappeared now, though floppy disks themselves still exist. They have a way of nestling in disorganized places like closets, dusty but probably functional if you happen to have an ‘ancient’ computer. If not, they’re also perfect for upcycling.
