Need help for New recycling/Upcycling group

[Lady Sparkle]

Hi All

I have been persuaded to help a childrens and parents recycling crafts group locally to me.
Although I make lots of bits and pieces for my recycling and upcycling myself I have had a total block of what to offer for the sessions.

Any help ,ideas would be really appreciated,the children range from about 8-15years and the parents all ages LOL.........:)

The session will last for 2 hours so will need to work in this time frame.

There will be just as many boys as girls so looking for ideas for both sexes.

I know cardboard is good to use for many projects just need a good mix for the various sexes and to keep their interest for the 2 hours.

Hope you can help before I have a total mental block,I really hate it when this happens.
Many thanks

[wendy]

sounds really great!

A few ideas:

old magazines folded into strips and made into bowls (google it - there's loads of tutorials)
old maps, books, envelopes, etc., cut out into templates and used for card making. If you have access to a sticker or badge making machine you'll have loads more fun with those too.
the old maps and books etc also used with mod podge or PVA and stuck onto canvases (and maybe painted as well)
mirrors and frames from Ikea or recycled ones - driftwood glued on (hot glue gun/safety?), painted, shells, mosaic (old china, magazine papers)
old tin cans or jars covered with fabric for pen holders, vases, etc.
papier mache - bowls, masks, etc

You'll find loads more ideas by doing a search on here and on good old google.

Try to have at least one main project per session, and always have back up stuff for those who get bored easily or who finish quickly. Don't forget to include them in the tidying up as well and build that into your session. Ask them to try and come up with ideas as well - they may have some plans for what they'd like to do.

Good luck - I'm sure you and they will really enjoy it.

[amphitrite]

Have you got a peg loom? You can cut up all sorts of old material and clothes to make mats and they progress really quickly, or just use squares or circles of cardboard to make a basic loom and make coasters or bags.
I'm finger knitting spiders webs with my after school club this week - doesn't matter if it goes horribly wrong, not every spider is perfect!

[Pretty Shabby UK]

Hi, What about toilet roll angels, that was a favourite with the school kids when i used to help out.

cut up material to make bunting

[beadsbydesign]

Christmas ideas
http://christmascreative.blogspot.com/2011/10/decorate-your-tree-recycle-it.html
lots of ideas for using paper and magazines on here (http://pinterest.com/crystalvelvetuk/paper-passion/) including the bowls that Wendy was talking about. you could also make beads from papers

[beadsbydesign]

these recycled te shirts are all the rage right now
http://www.julieannart.com/2011/09/tutorials-for-recycling-t-shirts.html

[AnnieAnna]

Cutting colourful carrier bags into strips and - doing anything you can do with yarn with them - weave, knit, knot.

There's a problem with this one, though. The use of carrier bags has gone down and some of them are biodegradable (don't store those polystyrene packing chips in them folks! Arghhhhhh! what a mess when the bag did a crumbling to dust act when I pulled it out of the cupboard! The one time saving the world didn't seem like a good idea.)

[Lady Sparkle]

Hi

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to respond it is really appreciated.

I got myself motivated and did a many long hours internet research.

I have gathered quite a few varied projects that would suite both sexes so hopefully these will work.
I have also compiled a list of a mini schedule to try and help keep everyone on track.
Once again thanks for your help ,just what I needed to get me moving.
Jackie