Junk Art!

This project is perfect for Earth Day. Except for the tape, it requires no new materials.

The junk-art bin is one of my favorite items in the craft cabinet. Into this bin go the egg cartons, yogurt cups, cardboard packaging, and other recyclables that seem like they have potenontial to be something else. Sometimes they get turned into a specific project. But sometimes on a rainy day, they just get put on the table because it's Junk Art time!



Kids are infinitely creative. Put out some recyclables and masking tape, and you will be amazed at what they come up with. (Or you might be baffled at how they see anything in their sculptures!) T & G created a "spaceship" and a "dinosaur house". T was immediately engrossed in the activity and worked slowly and carefully. A few times he needed encouragement and help when his sculpture wasn't turning out as planned, but at the end he was thrilled with his creation.

G needed a little help as well because he was so eager to build that he smashed his creation a few times. Again, a few tears followed, but after I stepped in just enough to get back on track, he managed to create something he was excited about as well. They were both really proud of what they had created, and had fun playing with their creations. At the end, only one project went home; the other, alas, fell back into its origins - a pile of recyclables.



Junk Art Tips:

• before starting, tear 10 or 20 strips of tape of different sizes and stick them to the edge of the table


• resist the temptation to label their projects


• step in when it seems like they are struggling, then step back again


• praise the process as much as the final product