Whether you’re after some DIY crafts for your children throughout the school holidays or an activity for your next weekend crafternoon, our zero-waste DIY crafts have you covered! The best part is, you shouldn’t need to rush out and buy too many materials to give them a try, either!
REUSABLE COTTON PADS
If your stack of old rags is piled a little too high or you’re sick of buying disposable cotton pads at the shops, this craft by The Make Up Dummy is for you. All you’ll need are some old, clean wash cloths, and a needle and thread (the thicker, the better). Perfect for washing your face, removing makeup or nail polish, or carrying in case of any inevitable child-related messes.
Click here for instructions
DIY BEESWAX WRAP
Cling wrap and aluminium foil create an unthinkable amount of waste, but thankfully, beeswax wraps are a great solution – and you can easily make them at home! You’ll obviously need to pick up some beeswax, which you can easily find online, and find some sturdy scrap fabric to turn into your wraps. Once you get the hang of it, these wraps make for great gifts to friends and family.
Click here for instructions
REUSABLE TEA BAGS
Have you ever looked at a tea bag and wished it was… cuter? Wish no more – these DIY reusable tea bags are the perfect sustainable solution! Perfect for serving store-bought loose-leaf tea or your homemade tea leaves, these cute tea-bag pouches utilise scrap fabric and spare buttons or beads to make for the perfect conversation starter.
Click here for instructions
DRIED FRUIT DECORATIONS
You don’t need to rush out and buy a plastic or paper garland for your next event – these gorgeous dried fruit decorations are the perfect alternative, both to wasted food and wasteful decorations! All you need is your oven and a selection of citrus fruits – we particularly love how the oranges look – and you’ll be well on your way.
Click here for instructions
TOILET PAPER ROLL BIRD FEEDER
Before you throw out that loo roll, WAIT – it could be turned into an easy bird feeder to attract local wildlife to your backyard! This DIY zero-waste craft activity is super easy to do, making it perfect for children and even toddlers. All you’ll need – other than your discarded toilet paper roll – is some birdseed, peanut butter (or similar) and string.
Click here for instructions
And there you have it! Some simple, sustainable and engaging zero-waste DIYs to try with your children. If you attempt to re-create one of these, be sure to tag us on social media @edgeearlylearning! We love seeing our wonderful community bringing our crafts to life.
Still looking for some craft inspiration? Explore some of our other craft blogs to find the perfect activity to keep the little ones entertained for hours on end.
A zero-waste craft is a DIY project with the goal of producing no waste or as little waste as possible. Zero-waste crafts use materials that are recyclable or reusable such as repurposing old items from around the house into a fun new piece!
Many people are choosing to complete zero-waste crafts for their positive impact on the planet. The philosophy of zero-waste crafts is to be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and resourceful. Some key aspects of zero-waste crafts include using recycled materials, repurposing or reusing items, using natural or biodegradable materials, minimising waste and upcycling.
There are so many simple zero-waste crafts you can create using items you already have lying around at home including:
