Did You Know? According to Japanese legend, if you fold 1,000 origami cranes you will be granted one wish. This month, our featured site is the International Crane Foundation. Their website has an awesome step by step guide to creating your very own paper cranes! We especially love using recycled materials such as old maps, newspapers, books, etc.

Have a bunch of busted up crayons laying around? Put them to good use! Materials: Silicone mold or muffin tin Broken crayons Directions: 1. Peel the crayons. This is a fun and easy job for kids and keeps them busy! 2. Break/cut the crayons into small pieces and fill the bottom of your mold or tin. Stick to color schemes or not - up to you! 3. Bake in 200-275 oven for 15-20 min. Time/temp can vary, so keep an ...Continue Reading →

Create your very own colorful, springtime bird feeder! Materials: Recycled coffee can with plastic lid Can opener Craft Paint Paintbrush Scissors Duct tape Yarn Birdseed Directions: 1. Clean and open the bottom of the coffee can with a can opener. 2. Cut the plastic lid in half. Paint the two halves and let dry. 3. Decorate the can with colorful duct tape. 4. Cut yarn and thread it through the can. Place the halve lids on both ends of the can. ...Continue Reading →

Going on a winter nature hike? Collect some items on your walk to create your very own nature ice sculpture! Materials: Empty yogurt tubs (or other small plastic container) Water Twigs, berries, pine cones, etc. (anything you can find outside!) Directions: Go on a winter hike and collect various items from nature. Take some time to examine each item. Where does it come from? What are the different textures? Using recycled plastic containers as a mold, layer the items you ...Continue Reading →

According to NASA, Nebulae are enormous clouds of dust and gas occupying the space between stars. They get their beautiful colors from different wavelengths of light emitted by stars and dust. Read more about Nebulae in this article from NASA. Now, you can create your own Nebula! Materials: Glass jar with a lid Tempura paint (at least 2 colors) Cotton balls Glitter Water Directions: 1. Fill 1/3 of the jar with water 2. Add several drops of paint to the water, ...Continue Reading →

Make your very own whirligig! A classic pioneer-era toy. Materials: This printable whirlygig patterns template (We recommend using the blank template so you can create your own pattern!) String A scrap of heavy recycled cardboard Crayons Gluestick Scissors Kitchen skewer Directions: 1. Print out your templates and choose two patterns you’d like to use. You can also print off the blank templates and decorate them with your own design. 2. Glue one piece onto your recycled cardboard scrap, cut around it with the scissors, and ...Continue Reading →

Create your own unique fossils! Materials: 4 Cups of flour 1 Cup of Salt 1-2 Cups of Water Mixing Bowl Paint (Acrylic or Watercolor) Modge Podge Directions: 1. Measure dry ingredients in large bowl. 2. Gradually add water. 3. Mix with hands. You've added the right amount of water when it feels slightly moist but not too sticky. 4. Roll or pat out dough to approx 1/4" thickness. Use cookie cutters, knives, etc. to shape the dough. Press small objects ...Continue Reading →

Create your very own eco-friendly bird feeder! Materials: Oranges Spoon Pencil or pen Twine Scissors Bird seed Directions: 1. Cut the orange in half. Using a spoon, scoop out half the pulp. 2. Poke three holes using the pencil, evenly spaced, about half an inch below the cut edge of the orange. 3. Cut 3 pieces of twine (8-9 inches long each). 4. String the twine through the holes and tie to secure the twine to the orange. 5. Tie ...Continue Reading →

Make your very own nature journal! Take it with you on your nature walks and record what you see. Materials: Brown paper lunch bags Scissors Glue or tape Hole punch Ribbon White journal pages Crayons or markers Directions: 1. Tape or glue down the flaps on each bag. Stack however many bags you are using in alternating directions. 2. Take stacked pile and fold over, forming a book shape. 3. Hole punch the left-hand side of the "book". Lace with ...Continue Reading →

Use a recycled egg carton to make this cute little bumble bee. Buzzz! Materials: Yellow paint 2 egg carton “cups” Black and silver pipe cleaners Googly eyes Hot glue gun Directions: 1. Cut two attached egg cartons and trim around the edges. Have the kids paint it yellow. 2. Once the paint dries, poke holes in the top (with a pencil or pen) and stick in 2 pipe cleaner antennas. Use black paint to have the kids make stripes on ...Continue Reading →