Introduction
Easter is coming, and you know what that means – colorful eggs, chocolate bunnies, and… more plastic toys that’ll end up forgotten by summer? Not this year! Let’s shake things up with some DIY recycled Easter toys that are as kind to the planet as they are to your wallet. I’ve spent years making these with my own kids, and trust me, the handmade treasures always become the most cherished ones. There’s something magical about transforming yesterday’s trash into today’s treasures – especially when those little faces light up with pride saying, “I made this myself!” Ready to turn your recycling bin into an Easter craft supply store? Let’s hop to it!
1. Toilet Paper Roll Bunnies
Who knew the humble toilet paper roll could transform into the cutest Easter bunny? This is usually where I start my DIY recycled Easter toys marathon because everyone has these cardboard tubes lying around.
What You’ll Need:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Paint or colored paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Markers
- Cotton balls
- Construction paper for ears
How to Make It:
- Paint the toilet paper roll or cover it with colored paper
- Cut two long ears from construction paper and attach them to the inside of the roll
- Draw a cute bunny face on the front
- Glue a cotton ball to the back for a fluffy tail
- Optional: Fill with treats or use as a napkin holder for Easter dinner
Pro Tip: Make a small cut at the bottom of the roll and fold the tabs outward so your bunny can stand on its own!
2. Egg Carton Chicks
Those egg cartons you’ve been saving can become a whole brood of spring chicks! This is one of my favorite eco-friendly Easter crafts because it uses materials that would otherwise end up in the trash.
What You’ll Need:
- Cardboard egg cartons
- Yellow paint or food coloring
- Small googly eyes (or draw them on)
- Orange construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
How to Make It:
- Cut the egg cups individually from the carton
- Paint them yellow and let dry
- Cut small triangles from orange paper for beaks
- Glue on googly eyes and beaks
- Optional: Add small feathers or paper wings
These little chicks make adorable Easter decorations or can be used as tiny gift boxes for small treats. My kids love making a whole family of them in different sizes!
3. Plastic Bottle Flower Planters
Spring and Easter go hand-in-hand, so why not incorporate some actual growing into your recycled crafts? These plastic bottle planters let kids watch seeds sprout – it’s like Easter magic!
What You’ll Need:
- Plastic bottles (water or soda bottles work great)
- Scissors
- Paint or decorative tape
- Potting soil
- Fast-growing seeds (grass, beans, or marigolds)
- Decorative materials (googly eyes, felt, etc.)
How to Make It:
- Cut the plastic bottle in half horizontally
- Decorate the bottom half as a bunny, chick, or Easter egg
- Fill with potting soil
- Plant seeds according to package directions
- Water gently and place in sunlight
Pro Tip: Plant grass seeds, and once they grow, you can give your planter a “haircut” – kids absolutely love this interactive element!
4. Newspaper Easter Baskets
Skip the store-bought plastic baskets this year and weave your own from old newspapers! These baskets are surprisingly sturdy and can be customized with any colors you like.
What You’ll Need:
- Old newspapers or magazines
- Paint (optional)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Ribbon or string for the handle
How to Make It:
- Cut newspaper into long strips (about 1-inch wide)
- If desired, paint the strips and let dry
- Create a base by laying strips in both directions to form a grid
- Weave additional strips up the sides, folding over the top edge
- Secure a ribbon or twisted newspaper handle
These baskets aren’t just perfect for egg hunts – they teach valuable weaving skills and patience. Plus, there’s a certain pride that comes from collecting Easter goodies in something you’ve made yourself!
5. Cardboard Egg Hunt Signs
Every good egg hunt needs some guidance! These recycled cardboard signs add charm to your Easter festivities while giving new life to old boxes.
What You’ll Need:
- Cardboard from shipping or cereal boxes
- Paint or markers
- Scissors
- Wooden skewers or sticks from the yard
- Glue or tape
How to Make It:
- Cut cardboard into arrow shapes or eggs
- Decorate with Easter-themed designs and messages like “Eggs This Way!”
- Attach to sticks or skewers
- Plant around your yard to guide hunters
These signs turn a simple egg hunt into an adventure! My children love creating elaborate “treasure maps” with these signs pointing the way to special prize eggs.
6. Sock Bunnies
Got lonely socks that have lost their mates? Don’t throw them out – transform them into the softest DIY recycled Easter toys that kids will cuddle long after the holiday!
What You’ll Need:
- Orphaned socks (colorful ones work best)
- Rice or dried beans for filling
- Rubber bands
- Ribbon
- Buttons or googly eyes
- Needle and thread (for adults only)
- Felt for ears and nose
How to Make It:
- Fill the sock with rice or beans
- Tie off with a rubber band about 2/3 of the way up
- Cut the remaining portion of the sock down the middle to create ears
- Secure ears with stitches or hot glue
- Add button eyes and a felt nose
- Tie a ribbon around the neck
Pro Tip: Use baby socks to make mini bunnies that can fit inside plastic eggs for an extra-special hunt surprise!
7. Plastic Lid Easter Games
Before recycling those plastic lids from yogurt containers or peanut butter jars, upcycle them into Easter-themed games that will keep the kids entertained.
What You’ll Need:
- Plastic lids of various sizes
- Paint or permanent markers
- Scissors (for adult use)
- Glue
- Additional materials depending on the game
Game Ideas:
- Memory Match: Create pairs of Easter images on same-sized lids
- Easter Tic-Tac-Toe: Use a larger lid as the board and smaller ones as bunnies and chicks
- Lid Toss: Decorate lids and assign point values, then toss into a basket
- Easter Checkers: Paint a checkerboard on a square piece of cardboard with bunny and chick game pieces
These games are not only fun to play but fun to make! They’re perfect for keeping kids busy during Easter gatherings when the sugar rush hits.
8. Paper Bag Puppets
Those brown paper grocery bags can transform into entertaining Easter puppet shows with just a little imagination and some recycled materials.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper bags (lunch-sized work best)
- Colored paper scraps
- Paint or markers
- Glue
- Scissors
- Recycled materials for decorations (fabric scraps, buttons, etc.)
How to Make It:
- Place the paper bag with the flap at the bottom
- Design the face on the flap (this becomes the movable mouth)
- Add ears, eyes, and other features above the flap
- Decorate the body on the main part of the bag
- Insert your hand and bring your Easter character to life!
Create a whole cast of Easter characters – bunnies, chicks, lambs, and even Easter egg puppets! Then put on a spring-themed show for the family.
9. Recycled Fabric Easter Decorations
Old clothes, fabric scraps, and worn-out linens can find new purpose as charming Easter decorations that add a touch of softness to your holiday decor.
What You’ll Need:
- Fabric scraps or old clothing
- Scissors
- Needle and thread (or hot glue for younger crafters)
- Stuffing (can use old pillow filling or shredded paper)
- Buttons, ribbons, and other embellishments
- Templates for Easter shapes (optional)
Ideas to Try:
- Fabric Easter eggs: Cut egg shapes, sew together, stuff, and decorate
- Bunny garland: Create small fabric bunnies and string them together
- Fabric scrap wreath: Tie fabric strips around a cardboard ring
- Patchwork table runner: Sew Easter-colored fabric scraps together
Pro Tip: Old pastel-colored bed sheets make perfect material for Easter crafts – they’re already in spring colors!
10. Cardboard Tube Binoculars for Egg Hunts
Turn toilet paper tubes into “egg-spotting binoculars” that make Easter egg hunts even more adventurous for little explorers!
What You’ll Need:
- Two toilet paper tubes
- Paint or decorative paper
- String or yarn
- Hole punch
- Tape or glue
- Stickers or other decorations
How to Make It:
- Decorate the tubes with paint or paper
- Tape or glue the tubes side by side
- Punch a hole on the outer edge of each tube
- Thread string through the holes to create a neck strap
- Add Easter stickers or drawings
These “bunny binoculars” or “egg scopes” add an element of exploration to your Easter activities and give purpose to those cardboard tubes you’ve been collecting!
Key Takeaways
- Making DIY recycled Easter toys teaches children valuable lessons about sustainability while creating meaningful holiday traditions
- Most of these projects use materials you already have at home, making them budget-friendly alternatives to store-bought decorations
- Handmade toys often become cherished keepsakes that children remember long after plastic toys are forgotten
- Creating together builds family bonds and creates precious memories
- These eco-friendly alternatives reduce the environmental impact of Easter celebrations
Conclusion
Easter doesn’t have to mean plastic grass that lingers in landfills for centuries or mass-produced toys that break before the chocolate eggs are even eaten. By embracing DIY recycled Easter toys, we’re not just creating unique treasures – we’re teaching the next generation that celebration and conservation can go hand-in-hand. The joy on a child’s face when they proudly display something they’ve made themselves is worth so much more than anything you could buy at a store. So this Easter, let’s fill our baskets with creativity, sustainability, and handmade love. Your recycling bin (and Mother Earth) will thank you! What recycled Easter craft will you try first?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best recyclable materials to save for Easter crafts?
The most versatile materials include toilet paper rolls, egg cartons, plastic bottles, newspaper, cardboard boxes, and fabric scraps. Start collecting these items about a month before Easter to ensure you have plenty of supplies. Even items like bottle caps, jar lids, and used gift wrap can find new life in Easter crafts!
How can I make these recycled Easter toys safe for very young children?
For toddlers and babies, avoid small parts that could be choking hazards, skip crafts requiring beans or rice fillings, use child-safe glue, and consider using fabric tape instead of pins or staples. Always supervise young children during crafting, and for the youngest ones, create sturdier items like the sock bunnies (well-secured) or fabric eggs.
How long do these recycled Easter toys typically last?
With proper care, many of these crafts can last for several years! Paper-based crafts are more delicate but can be preserved with a light coat of mod podge or clear sealant. Fabric crafts and plastic bottle projects are quite durable and may become annual decorations. Store them in a dry place between seasons, and they’ll be ready to bring out year after year.
Can these crafts be composted after Easter?
Many of them can! Crafts made from paper, cardboard, and natural fabrics will break down in compost systems. Just be sure to remove any non-compostable elements like plastic eyes, synthetic ribbons, or glitter before composting. It’s a great opportunity to teach children about the full lifecycle of materials – from trash to treasure and back to earth.
What skills do children develop when making these recycled Easter crafts?
These projects develop fine motor skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities, patience, and environmental awareness. Children learn to follow instructions, practice measuring and cutting, develop their artistic abilities, and gain confidence in their creating skills. Plus, they learn valuable lessons about reusing materials and reducing waste – life skills that extend far beyond Easter!
