Fun Earth Day Activities

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

21 Apr 2009 08:41 PM

Earth Day is tomorrow, so why not celebrate the occasion by creating environmentally friendly crafts with your kids.

Here are some simple projects that the entire family can have fun making:

EASY BIRD FEEDER

Materials:

One quart-size milk carton

One half-gallon-size milk carton

Scissors

Glue gun

Exacto knife

Spray enamel paint

Heavy cord

Birdseed

Directions:

Wash out the cartons with soapy water and allow them to dry.

Cut the top and bottom off of the quart-size milk carton, forming a rectangular tube that is about six inches tall.

Cut a hole the size of a half a quarter in each side of the bottom of the tube.

Discard the top and bottom of this carton or find another way to recycle the pieces.

Cut the top and bottom off of the half-gallon-size milk carton to make a sloped roof for the tube and a rectangular bottom piece for the base.

Use the glue gun, and glue the carton's spout (where the milk comes out) together.

Spray all three pieces with enamel paint and allow them to dry.

With the Exacto knife, make a hole in the center of the top of the bird feeder and the center of the bottom of the bird feeder.

Thread a 20-inch piece of cord down through the hole, through the tube, and again through the hole in the bottom. Make a knot in the cord underneath the birdhouse. Make another large knot in the cord about three inches above the birdhouse roof. Form the top end of the cord into a loop, so it will be easier to hang.

Fill the feeder from the top by lifting the roof off and pouring birdseed into the tube.

CEREAL BOX MAGAZINE HOLDER

Materials:

Empty cereal box

Scissors

White acrylic paint

Green acrylic paint

Thin paint brush

Sandpaper

Directions:

Cut off top of cereal box.

Halfway across top of box, cut at a 45 degree angle down to front of your magazine holder, cut straight across then back up other side at the same angle.

Lightly sandpaper outside of cereal box. This will help the paint adhere to the box.

Paint the box white. Let dry.

Use green paint and brush to paint leaves or other designs on your magazine holder.

You could also embellish with twigs, seashells or other natural products.

Related Articles:

Green Recipes for Earth Hour

"Price is Right" Goes Green

How Green is Too Green?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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