Recycling + Creativity = Upcycling
by Tyler Kearns | View Bio
Tyler Kearns has been the Program Coordinator for The Clayton School District's Kid Zone Before/After school program in Clayton MO. for eleven years. Tyler is a Genius of Play Ambassador with the National Afterschool Association and sits on the Afterschool Leadership Team with the Missouri Afterschool Network. Along with his out of school time credits, Tyler works to develop youth as a martial arts school owner and instructor. Above all, Tyler is a parent of two children who he enjoys playing together, discovering with, and learning from every day.
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As parents, it’s important to lead by example. Be a role model for kids by demonstrating sustainable practices in your family’s daily life to practice Earth Day every day. Encourage indoor activities such as composting food scraps, conserving water and turning off the lights when they leave a room.
Get the whole family involved outdoors with these Earth Day activities:
- Nature Walks
- Hands-On Gardening
- Community Clean-ups
- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Upcycle Projects
Earth Day is a day to celebrate, recognize, and raise awareness of the environmental efforts happening around the globe to take care of the planet we all share. From cleanup activities to taking out the trash, adding in some creativity is a terrific way to introduce children of all ages to the concept of recycling.
What if we took recycling, added some creativity, and brought PLAY into the lessons of learning about the environment? Let’s all learn how to UPCYCLE!
Upcycling is the process of creating something new out of otherwise recycled or wasted products or pieces. Look into any recycling bin and you’ll probably find boxes, milk jugs, orange juice cartons, beverage bottles, egg cartons, paper towel rolls and much more. What can we do with all these items? That’s where our challenge begins.
Challenge your child’s imagination and creativity and, together as a family, create a mini golf lane (or even build multiple lanes over time) out of your families’ recyclables.
Step 1: Educate
To know what to build, children need to know what it is they are building. Use this as an opportunity to take a family day to the nearest mini golf course or research together. Talk with your kids about what they see, what they enjoy, what was easy, and what was difficult? Gather information and take notes as a family.
Step 2: Blueprint
The kids may want to jump right into the building but it’s important to have a plan and direction. Now is the time to take the notes from Step 1 and draw out and plan what their golf lane will look like. Questions to ask - “What should a lane include?” “How difficult do you think your lane will be for the player?”, “How do you plan to build this?”, “What materials will you need?”
Step 3: Gather Materials
Here is a suggested list of basic recycle materials, feel free to revise and add other items:
- Cardboard
- Colored scrap paper
- Plastic cups and bowls
- Hot glue
- Safety scissors
- Tape
- Straws
- Bottles
- Boxes and cartons
- Craft decorations
Step 4: Build
Let’s have some fun and bring our blueprint to life. Cut, sculpt, create, engineer, and design, the fun is in the process. If you don’t have a golf ball or a golf club – this is the chance to make them too! If creating multiple lanes as a family, level up the challenge and create a theme for your family mini golf.
Step 5: Play
When you have a one-hole lane, or even a 9-hole course once completed, it’s time for the whole family to enjoy and play. Will someone get a hole in one? Who will get the best score?
Upcycling is creative, collaborative, and fun, giving a reused purpose to items we use every day. Just think what you could make of old toys, game pieces, and other items around the house that may otherwise end up in the trash. Celebrate this Earth Day by having fun together while learning how to take care of the planet that helps take care of us.