Need something to keep the kids busy? Forget the store! Collect all that extra stuff you may have put into the trash bin to do some cool craft projects. By repurposing household items that may have gone to waste, you're helping save the environment. Plus, you'll be making your kids happy and getting some cool new decor, too! My friend and fellow writer Tamara L. Waters, is an expert at recycled craft items. Here are some of her great ideas to share with your kids.

Recycled Craft Supplies: Crafty Uses for Trash Items
Not everything that is waste has to become trash. Recycling and repurposing some trash items for craft use is a great way to save money and tread lightly on the earth.

Recycled Crafts: Patriotic Jar Candle Holder
Make a patriotic jar candle holder for an easy summer craft. This project uses a recycled jar and is an easy way to decorate for an Independence Day party this summer.

Recycled Crafts: Plastic Bottle Windsock
Combine crafting and recycling to create this simple plastic bottle windsock for your garden.

Recycled Crafts: Cinco De Mayo Maracas
Make simple maraca crafts from recycled items for Cinco de Mayo.

Recycled Crafts: Plastic Cup Bug Catcher
Recycle clear plastic cups into a cute little bug catcher.

Recycled Crafts: Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder
Recycle a plastic bottle into a bird feeder for an earth-friendly craft.

Green Living: Cheap Eco-Friendly and Recycled Seed Starter Container Ideas
Use cheap, recycled and eco-friendly seed starter containers to save a few pennies as you live lightly on the Earth.

Green Living: An Easy Valentine's Day Centerpiece Using Recycled Items
Make a simple Valentine's Day centerpiece or decoration out of recycled items and other readily-available supplies.

Recycled Lid Matching Game Craft
Use recycled items to make this educational game for your kids.

Articles and Slideshows:

Valentine's Day Lesson Plans for Elementary Students by Kate Kirkman
Free Valentine's Day Lesson Plans: Activities, Stories, and Coloring Pages, Crafts, and More by Lyn Lomasi
Valentine's Day Heart Cookies on a Stick by S Maven
Valentine Crafts for Young Children by Sandra Peterson
Easy Valentine's Day Crafts for Elementary School Parties by Kate Kirkman
Lesson Plans: "V" is for Valentine's Day - Toddlers and Preschoolers by Lisa Carey

by Jaipi Sixbear

Stringing popcorn and cranberries is one of my favorite Christmas activities. All you need is a bag of frozen cranberries, a kettle of plain popped popcorn and a needle and thread. Stringing popcorn and cranberries for Christmas garland is fun for kids and grownups too.

Strings of popcorn and cranberries look great as garland on the Christmas tree. They really bring an old fashioned look to the home. I also like stringing popcorn and cranberries garland for wildlife. Just hang the strings outside. They make a wonderful Christmas treat for birds and squirrels.

The cranberries used for stringing garland should be frozen. Using thawed cranberries for this task is messy, juicy and sticky. The frozen ones can be sticky too, but they're not quite as bad. The needle should be large but quite sharp. Supervise kids well, so they don't stick their fingers.

I use button thread for stringing popcorn and cranberries garland. It holds up better and is stronger than regular thread. If you don't have button thread, don't worry. Regular sewing thread will work too. Now assemble all your ingredients and lets get started.

When threading the needle for stringing popcorn and cranberries, leave the thread uncut. That is to say, the part of the thread that is not passed through the needle should remain attached to the spool. This is because you don't know how long the garland will be until all the popcorn and cranberries are on it.

To cut down on the mess, I like to alternate the cranberries and popcorn. The popcorn will absorb some of the cranberry juice. Try three popcorns and then a cranberry. This is a perfect pattern for the whole garland. As you work, slide the cranberries and popcorn down the string toward the thread spool.

Stringing popcorn and cranberries may take some time. I like to put in a Christmas DVD while stringing the garland. You can also play Christmas music and enjoy family conversation. Those who don't like stringing cranberries and popcorn can do another Christmas craft if they wish.

Stringing popcorn and cranberries garland isn't the only way to feed the birds this Christmas. Our family likes to fill pine cones with peanut butter and roll them in birdseed. We also like to hang orange slices in the trees for the birds.

When you run out of popcorn and cranberries to string, it's time to tie off your garland. We like to make ours into circles by tying the ends of string together. Just snip the thread at the spool, leaving a few inches for tying. Double knot the thread and your Christmas garland is done.

Have you considered making homemade non-toxic clay for your kids to play with? Kids love molding and shaping clay into their own sculpture creations. Small children's fingers tend to end up in their mouths. Making your own homemade non-toxic modeling and play clay insures kid's safety while they create.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 1 – Play Dough
This homemade kids clay is exactly like the kind sold in cans in the store. Make it at home with just a few non-toxic ingredients from the kitchen. Kids will play for hours with this colorful and pliable dough. Mom will look like a clay making genius.

To make homemade non-toxic play dough like clay you will need 3 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 6 teaspoons cream of tartar, 3 cups water, and 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. Cook this all in a saucepan over medium heat until it thickens. For coloring add food color a few drops at a time until you get the right color. Take the finished clay from the pan and knead until the right consistency is reached.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 2 – Textured Stone Oatmeal Dough
Here's a fun homemade clay that resembles stone when dry. Kids can mold crazy stone men or bricks. This clay makes wonderful non-toxic play castles. I like to use it in natural color but food coloring may be added if preferred.

For homemade non-toxic textured stone clay you will need 1 cup rolled oats, 2/3 cup flour, and ½ cup of water. If color is desired, add a few drops of food coloring to the water prior to mixing. Mix it all together in a large bowl. Turn the clay out onto a floured board and knead, adding flour until smooth.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 3 – Cornstarch Clay
This homemade non-toxic clay can be easily molded. Kids will find the consistency to be much like Sculpey or Fimo brand clays. This kids clay works well for making homemade jewelry or figurines. Finished products can be painted with non-toxic acrylic paint.

Heat 2 cups salt and 2/3 cup water in a saucepan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 cup cornstarch and ½ cup cold water. You are on the right track if it looks like mashed potatoes. Stir off the heat until thickened to clay consistency. Finished products take a few days to dry completely.

Homemade Non-Toxic Clay Recipe # 4 – Flour and Water
Here's a great old fashioned stand by with ingredients every kitchen has on hand. This play clay contains salt which sparkles slightly when dry. Kids will love this for making dough ornaments for Christmas and other holidays.

To make this non-toxic homemade clay simply Mix together 4 cups flour, 1 cup salt and 1 ½ cups of water. Kids will love kneading the clay and adding food coloring to the dough. Finished products are baked in a 350 degree oven until hardened. Items can be painted with non-toxic acrylic paint as an alternative to the food coloring.