Wee Crafts

A Supplement to the Wee Recyclers Activity Guide

dnr.wi.gov/eek

PUB-CE-2012 09
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
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PUB-CE-2012 09
 Introduction
Think about the number of things you throw away or recycle every week
– cardboard tubes, plastic containers, egg cartons, and more. Many of these
materials can be reused for school craft projects. Teach your students the
value and fun of reusing materials by creating new uses for recycled goods.
Let a newspaper become a snowman, a milk jug become a new basket, a
yogurt container become a doll. When you’re making Wee Crafts, the pos-
sibilities are endless.
In this Wee Crafts guide, we provide some specific craft projects for you
to create with your children. Brainstorm ideas together to come up with
Table of Contents variations or completely new ideas – let your imagination run wild! As you
work on a project, discuss the materials that are being used. What were toilet
Introduction ................................ 1
paper rolls or egg cartons used for before this project? How many different
Wee Reusables .............................. 2 things can a paper towel tube be made into? Encourage children to use their
Decorated Containers ...................2
imaginations and be creative.
Wind Chime ..................................3
Bunny Basket ................................3
Newspaper Snowperson ................4
Snow Globes…………….................4
Recycled Paper Beads ....................5
String-Along Reusables .................5
Soda Bottle Greenhouses...............5
Coin-Keeper Creatures ..................6
Wee-Mobile .................................. 7
Bird Feeder.................................... 7
Classy Covers ................................8
Snow, Fur, Wool .............................8
Oatmeal Container Crafts……...9
Rattle Roller…………………… .......9
Hands Free Drum……………… .....9
Windsock……………………… .......9
Critter Cabin…………………… .....9
Egg-Carton Creations............... 10
Snail ............................................10
Mushroom ...................................10
Spider ......................................... 10
Caterpillar ...................................11
Millipede .....................................11
Wee Bee .......................................11
Flowers.........................................11
Double Flowers ............................11
Egg Carton Eyes ..........................11
Holiday Bells ...............................12
Seedling Starter ...........................12
Wee Printers................................13
Block Printing..............................13
Roller Printing ............................ 14
Polystyrene Printing ....................14
Puppets ........................................15
Paper Bag Puppets ......................15
Paper Plate Puppets ....................17
Mitten or Sock Puppets ...............19
Toilet Paper Tube Puppets ...........19
Finger Puppets.............................21
Envelope Puppets ........................22
Our City .......................................23

1
 Wee Reusables
It doesn’t take much to get started on a Wee Crafts program. Many creative crafts can be made from items
around the house that are normally thrown away or recycled. We have provided a Parent Letter at the end of the
“Wee Recycling Center” chapter of the Wee Recyclers Activity Guide for you to use that asks for donations of
a variety of reusable materials. Collect items throughout the year, sort them, and store in appropriate containers.
In the art area of your classroom, have a surplus of reusable odds and ends for children to create monsters, robots,
rockets and more. The following crafts call for many of these reusables.

Decorated Containers
Make a vase, candle holder or pen/pencil holder for
someone special.

Materials:
containers (clean and empty glass bottles or
jars, plastic detergent bottles cut at the “waist,”
paperboard juice cans, half gallon juice or milk
carton cut in half)
glue
scissors
work area covered with newspaper
decorating materials: tissue paper scraps, dried seeds
or beans, dry cereal, yarn or ribbon scraps, cloth
scraps, different types of macaroni, etc.

Procedure:
1. Prior to class, select the containers for children to
decorate. If working with plastic bottles, place them
in hot water for a few minutes to make them easier
to cut. Cut them at the “waist.”
2. Children should select decorating materials and
place these in their work area.
3. Have children spread glue on the surface of the
container using their fingers (a small section should
be done at a time).
4. Have children cover the glued area with their
decorating materials.
5. Optional: When glue is dry, paint over the surface
with shellac.

2
Wind Chime
Add a little music to your deck, garden 3. Leaving about 2 inches at the top, glue three lids
or backyard! evenly spaced on each of the four 12 inch pieces of
yarn. Use strong glue directly down the middle of
each lid. Allow glue to dry and tie each piece to the
Materials: end of a stick.
popsicle sticks Note: Be sure there are no sharp edges on lids.
yarn Also, different sized lids will produce different
sixteen tin lids (from juice containers, tones.
canned goods, jars, etc.) 4. Again leaving about 2 inches at the top, glue four
strong glue lids evenly spaced directly down the middle of each
lid onto the 18 inch piece of yarn. The last lid should
be located at the very bottom of the string. Allow
Procedure: glue to dry and tie to the middle of the sticks.
1. Glue together two popsicle sticks in the shape of an X. 5. Add a 6 inch piece of yarn to the middle of the sticks
2. Cut four 12 inch pieces and one 18 inch piece of yarn. for hanging.

Bunny Basket
A tisket, a tasket, make a bunny basket! 3. Children can color the outside of the basket using
crayons or permanent markers. Talk about the fact that
real bunnies have two eyes, a nose and a mouth.
Materials:
4. Help children weave 6 inch pipe cleaners through
clean, plastic one-gallon milk jug the slits by the nose to make whiskers.
6-inch pipe cleaners 5. Children can glue cotton balls on the bunny for its
12-inch pipe cleaners nose and for its puffy tail.
two large cotton balls 6. Fill the basket half-full with shredded paper or
permanent markers or crayons packing material.

glue
scissors or craft knife
shredded paper or packing material
for “grass”
paper punch

Procedure:
1. The basket handle can be made in
one of two ways. You may either figure 1
retain the handle of the milk jug
by cutting above it (see fig. 1), or
cut off the milk jug handle, punch a
hole on either side of the basket and
attach pipe cleaners for a handle
(see fig. 2). Draw the appropriate
cutting line around the jug and cut
out the basket.
2. Make two slits on either side of where
the nose will be with a knife or the
pointed end of a scissors.
figure 2

3
Newspaper Snowperson
Build a snowperson out of reusable “snow.” Because roll. Help children stack the balls on top of one
this snow will not melt, you can plan a few days to another and tape them in place.
complete your snowperson. 3. During the second session, prepare a work area for
children to paint their snowperson. Indoor latex
Materials: paint works best. Ask for a can to be donated by a
parent or a local paint dealer. If latex paint is not
sheets of newspaper: full, half and one-fourth sheets available, mix a thick batch of poster paint. Children
rolls of masking tape can paint their snowperson so that no newspaper or
yarn scraps tape shows through. Allow the snowpeople to dry
completely before continuing.
strips of fabric
4. During the last Save cuff
thick, white paint (poster paint or indoor latex paint session, children
works best) can draw
paint brushes features on their
black marker snowperson using
a black marker.
cuff cut from a child’s old sock (have children bring
Give each child
these from home)
a sock cuff. Pull
art apron the uncut end of
the cuff onto the
One fourth Half Full page
Procedure: snowperson’s head.
With a small piece
1. Several days before conducting this activity, ask of yarn, tie off
parents to donate old children’s socks. Cut the socks the cut end of the
at the ankle, save the cuff for this project and save cuff to complete
the rest for another project. the hat. Finally
2. During the first session, give each child a set of tie a small strip of
newspaper sheets. Have them crumble each piece fabric around the
into a ball. Give children strips of masking tape to snowperson’s neck
wrap around the three newspaper balls. The balls to make a scarf.
should be almost completely covered with tape.
Flatten the bottom of the largest ball so it doesn’t

Snow Globes
Create snow globes for a treasure that every child Procedure:
can enjoy!
1. Using strong glue, attach a plastic toy to the inside
of a jar lid. Allow glue to dry.
Materials: 2. After glue is done drying, fill the jar with baby oil
glass jars with lids (thoroughly cleaned) and add glitter.
strong glue 3. Keeping the glass jar right side up, insert plastic toy
into the baby oil inside the jar and tighten lid.
baby oil
4. Turn sealed jar upside down so
glitter
the lid is the surface side.
small plastic toys
(animals, people,
trees, etc.)

4
Recycled Paper Beads
Use old magazines and catalogs to make paper beads 2. Spread glue over half of the paper strip.
and turn them into a necklace or bracelet. 3. Starting with the unglued end, roll up the paper. Be
sure to leave a hole in the middle so string or yarn
Materials: can go through it. For younger children, using a
thin marker or crayon might make it easier to roll.
Brightly colored paper from magazines, gift wrap Be sure to leave enough space to easily remove the
or catalogs paper bead.
White glue or glue stick 4. Repeat making beads until there are enough for a
String, yarn or fishing line bracelet or necklace.
5. String beads onto the string or yarn. Tie up and
Procedure: wear the recycled jewelry.

1. Cut paper into strips that are 1 inch

wide and 4 inches long.

String-Along Reusables
Make necklaces or garlands for holiday decoration.

Materials:
plastic bottle caps
recycled paper beads (see activity “Recycled Paper
Beads”)
drinking straws cut to various lengths
long pieces of colored string or yarn
2. Help children thread a needle.
large needles (2 inches long)
3. Let children string the paper beads, bottle caps and
straw pieces together on the colored string.
Procedure:
CAUTION: Small pieces may be swallowed by young
1. Before class, pound a hole in each of the plastic children. Only do this activity with older children and
bottle caps with a hammer and nail. under strict supervision.

Soda Bottle Greenhouses

This can be a group project in which children can
work together to build a greenhouse and learn what
plants need to grow.

Materials:
2-liter clear plastic soda bottle with the cap still on
small stones
potting soil
scissors
plant seeds or small plants that
like lots of moisture
water

5
Procedure: 5. Help each of them place the upper portion of the
bottle on top of the base. Twist slightly to work the
1. One bottle is needed for each greenhouse. To remove
clear edge into the soil about one quarter inch. Place
the label, fill the bottle one quarter full with hot tap
the small greenhouses on a window ledge where
water. Screw the cap back on firmly. Tip the bottle
they can get some, but not too much, sunlight.
on its side so that the hot water warms the area
where the label is attached to the bottle – this will 6. Caring for the greenhouse is easy. If the bottle cap
soften the heat sensitive glue. Slowly peel the label remains screwed in place, the greenhouse should be
from the bottle. self-watering. If too much condensation develops on
the inside of the bottle wall, remove the cap for a
2. With a sharp scissors, cut around the bottom of
few hours and then screw it back on. If the plants do
the bottle (about 3 inches from bottom) to create a
not appear to have enough water, remove the cap
base.
and add a little water through the opening. Screw
3. Use the base of the bottle for the “pot.” Have your the cap back on tightly.
children put small stones in the bottom of the base
7. Check the greenhouse two times a week with your
to help with drainage. Next have them add enough
children. Make a chart to record the children’s
potting soil to almost fill the base.
observations of plant growth and moisture content.
4. Help them plant their seeds or small plants. Let them
pack the soil over the seeds or around the plants
and add a little water.

Coin-Keeper Creatures
Reusing “trash” for crafts is like money in the bank. 4. To make a curly tail, twist a pipe cleaner around a
pencil and then slide it off. With the tip of a scissors
poke a hole for the tail at the base of the bottle. Stick
Materials: the pipe cleaner tail into the hole and secure it with
plastic 1-gallon bottles from bleach, juice or vinegar a drop of glue.
(they should have a screw-type cap) 5. Cut a slot, large enough to
film canisters or plastic bottle fit a fifty cent piece in, on
caps the upper portion of the
bottle.
pipe cleaners
6. Glue film canisters or plastic
scraps of paper bottle caps on the bottom
glue of the bottle for legs.
scissors 7. Feed coins to your coinkeeper
markers creature. If you want your
coins back, just unscrew the
cap and dump them out.
Procedure:
1. Clean bottles thoroughly.
2. Give each child a bottle. Tell your children to look
at the bottle and imagine what creature the bottle
looks like. Suggest laying the bottle on its side or
turning it upside down. They may see a pig, a cow
or maybe a monster. Once the child decides, help
him/her to create the animal.
3. Children can cut features from construction paper
and glue them onto the bottle, or features can be
drawn on with a marker.

6
Wee-Mobile
All aboard the Wee-mobile! Procedure:
1. Press in the milk carton spout and tape it flat.
Materials: 2. Cut a paper bag along several of the seams to open
clean paperboard milk carton (quart or half gallon it flat. Help each child wrap the milk carton or tissue
size) or rectangular tissue box box with the paper bag and tape it in place.
large paper bags cut open and flattened 3. Let children design their Wee-mobile with crayons
or markers. Glue toilet paper tubes to the bottom
toilet paper rolls
of the vehicle to make wheels.
glue
5. Discuss with your children what the Wee-mobiles
scissors could be used for.
tape
crayons or markers

Bird Feeder
Reusing is for the birds. 6. Children can help fill the feeders with birdseed.
7. Hang a feeder in a tree near a classroom window.
Make a chart to keep near the window to record how
Materials:
many birds come to dine and note which species
plastic 2-liter soda bottles are the most common. Look these species up in a
8 inch stick or dowels (1/4" diameter) bird book to learn more about their habits.
birdseed 8. Send a copy of these directions home with each child
so that they can make feeders with their families.
craft knife
For more bird feeder variations using recyclables, visit:
nail
www.dnr.wi.gov/eek. Search: Backyard Bird Feeders
hole punch
thin wire

Procedure:
1. Use a craft knife to cut two 3 inch holes across from
each other near the base of a 2 liter bottle.
2. Make a small hole with a hole punch 1 inch below
each larger hole.
3. Insert a stick or dowel through the two holes to make
a perch.
4. Poke small holes in the bottom of the bottle with a
nail to let rain water drain out.
5. Poke two holes across from each other near the top
of the bottle. Thread the wire through the holes and
twist the ends together to make a hanger.

7
Classy Covers
Create beautiful sun catchers and ornaments to
display throughout the year.

Materials:
clear covers from yogurt cups, deli containers or
pre-packaged lunch meats
scraps of colored tissue paper
permanent markers
white glue
hole punch
pieces of yarn or ribbon

2. Punch a hole near the rim of the

Procedure: cover. Thread a piece of yarn
1. Let your children tear colored tissue paper into small or ribbon through the hole and
pieces and glue the pieces onto the clear plastic cover tie the ends together.
in a design or collage. Variation: Use permanent 3. Hang the classy covers in a
markers to draw a design onto the plastic surface. window or on a holiday tree.

Snow, Fur, Wool

Ever wonder what to do with all those polystyrene pack- Procedure:
ing pieces? Turn them into “snow,” “fur” or “wool.”
1. Draw the outline of an animal or object that is
usually white on the large sheet of paper. Give this
Materials: to your children.
scissors 2. Have your children color in eyes, nose, mouth,
hooves, claws, etc., with markers. Let them glue
large sheet of paper
packing pieces onto the paper to make white “snow,”
glue “fur” or “wool.”
polystyrene packing pieces CAUTION: Small pieces may be swallowed by young
markers children. Only do this activity with older children and
under strict supervision.
crayons

8
 Oatmeal Container Crafts
Turn them into drums, windsocks and more! The fol- General Materials:
lowing four craft projects are easy, fast and fun using
oatmeal container (18 oz.)
empty eighteen ounce oatmeal containers. Encourage
your kids to be creative! A sturdy pair of scissors is needed construction paper, used wrapping paper
to appropriately cut the canister for certain activities. glue
Note: Adults may have to cut canisters for young string or yarn
children ahead of time. decorating materials (crayons, markers, stickers,
glitter, ribbon, etc.)

Rattle Roller Windsock

Additional Materials: Additional Materials:
dried beans, pasta or rice ribbon

Procedure: Procedure:
1. Fill the round oatmeal container with a handful of 1. Remove the lid from the oatmeal canister
dried beans, pasta or rice. and save for another project.
2. Tape or glue the lid shut. 2. Poke four holes in the bottom of the canister.
Thread four pieces of long string and tie a
3. Wrap and glue construction paper over the container
knot at the end inside the canister. Tie the ends of
and decorate.
the four pieces together outside of the canister.
3. Wrap and glue construction paper around the
Hands Free Drum container and decorate with crayons, markers,
glitter, stickers, etc.

Procedure: 4. Glue long ribbon streamers to the inside.

1. Punch a small hole

on each end of the Critter Cabin
oatmeal canister.
2. Cut a piece of string or Additional Materials:
yarn and thread through
old pantyhose
the two holes. Allow
enough string or yarn for
the drum to hang down Procedure:
to the child’s waist.
1. Cut large rectangular windows on either side of the
3. Tie the ends together. oatmeal canister.
4. Wrap and glue 2. “Furnish” the inside with leaves, grass, sticks, or
construction paper whatever the bugs need as food and sprinkle in a
around the container few drops of water.
and decorate with
3. Cut the leg off of a pair of old pantyhose and slide it
crayons, markers,
over the canister. The heel should be at the bottom.
glitter, stickers, etc.
4. Go on a hunt for Nature’s Recyclers (see “In Search of
Nature’s Recyclers” in the Wee Recyclers Activity
Guide) and place critters inside the cabin. Be sure
and release the critters after an hour or so.

9
 Egg Carton Creations – A Dozen Ideas
In most communities, eggs come in a variety of car- General Materials:
tons. The two that work the best in craft activities are
work area covered with newspaper
molded paper or polystyrene. Here are some helpful
hints to keep in mind when preparing for an activity: used egg cartons
A sturdy pair of scissors will be needed to cut egg car- scissors
tons apart; a pair of curved manicure scissors is best
glue
for cutting small details. Molded paper cartons have a
surface that is easy to color with crayons, markers or crayons and markers
water-based paints. Polystyrene cartons have a surface paints and brushes
into which designs can easily be etched with a simple used twist ties
tool – experiment with a fingernail, screw, pencil, fork
or the end of a drinking straw. Any water-based coloring pipe cleaners
will be difficult to add to the waxy surface. Try mixing scraps of colored paper
a few drops of detergent with water-based paints – this pieces of ribbon or yarn
will allow the paint to stick to the surface. Crayons
hole punch
work to a limited extent. The following are directions
for specific egg carton creations. We encourage you film canisters, spools or small round pill bottles
and your children to experiment and create different decorations: straws, toothpicks, seeds, dry cereals, small
creatures. You may want to use this activity as an op- buttons, fabric scraps, sequins, glitter, feathers.
portunity to teach about insects and flowers and their
art aprons
interesting features.
Note: Adults may have to cut and trim cartons for
young children ahead of time.

Snail
2. Take a film canister, spool or small round pill bottle
Procedure: and put glue around the rim.
1. Cut out and trim one egg section of a carton. Have 3. Press the mushroom cap on top of the glued rim and
children color and decorate the snail “shell.” hold it in place for a minute or so. Set the mushroom
in a place where it won’t get bumped to dry.
2. Take a twist tie and coil it. Fit the straight end of the
twist tie up under the lower edge of the shell and
secure it in place with a small piece of tape.
3. Cut a twist tie in half and fold that in half. Push one
Spider
end through the upper portion
of the coiled twist tie and pull Procedure:
it until the fold is half way 1. Cut out and trim one egg
through. These are the snail’s section of a carton.
antennae.
2. Let children color and
decorate the spider.
Mushroom 4. Help children poke eight twist
ties into the body of the spider for
legs. Bend each piece into an “L” shape.
Procedure:
5. To hang the spider from a “web,” thread a needle
1. Cut out and trim one egg section with thread or fishing line and poke the needle up
of a carton for the “cap” of the through the middle of the spider from the bottom.
mushroom. Let children color Secure the line inside with a piece of tape.
and decorate the cap.

10
Caterpillar Flowers
Procedure:
1. Cut an egg
carton into
12 separate
Procedure: egg sections and trim
around the edges. Each
1. Cut the bottom of an egg carton section will be a flower.
in half lengthwise to make a caterpillar with
six humps. Trim rough edges. 2. Give children one section to work on at a time. Let
them cut several slits and small indentations around
2. Explain to children how to use a hole punch. Let the edge to form the petals of the flower.
them practice punching circles out of colored paper.
They can use these circles for eyes or decoration. 3. They may color the flower inside and out.

3. Encourage children to decorate their caterpillar’s 4. Help children make a stem. Poke a pipe cleaner up
humps with a variety of materials. through the bottom center of the flower. Bend the top
one quarter inch over and tape to keep it in place.
4. Help children make antennae by poking two twist
ties into the head of the caterpillar. 5. For the center of the flower, let children glue a ball
of tissue paper, a bead or button in the middle of
the flower.

Double Flowers
To make fuller flowers, follow the same directions as
Millipede above but stack two flower heads together and alternate
the petals.

Procedure:
1. To make a millipede, follow the directions for making Egg Carton Eyes
a caterpillar.
2. Add legs to the millipede by breaking 18 toothpicks Procedure:
in half and poking six pieces into each section.
1. Cut out two individual egg sections. In each, cut out
(Three legs on each side.)
a circle in the bottom to make the eye holes.
2. Let children color and decorate the egg sections with
Wee Bee sequins and feathers.
3. Cut a piece of ribbon long enough to tie around a
Procedure: child’s head. Staple the egg sections to the ribbon
so that they fit over the child’s eyes.
1. Cut out and trim a two-egg section of a carton.
4. Wrap the ribbon around the child’s forehead and
2. Color the bee yellow. Black stripes can be drawn on tie it in the back.
with crayon or cut from black paper and glued on.
3. Help children cut out wings and glue them to the
body of the bee.
4. Punch out two dots from black
paper and glue them in place
for eyes. Draw in a mouth.
5. Help children make antennae
by poking two twist ties into
the head of the bee.

11
Holiday Bells
Additional Materials The hole should be big enough for the yarn or ribbon
to thread through, but small enough to not allow
small jingle bells
the knot to pass through.
5. Thread the empty end of the yarn or ribbon through
Procedure: the hole in the egg carton and slide it down until
1. Cut out and trim one egg section of a carton. the “bell” rests on the knot.
2. Tie a small jingle bell to the end of a piece of yarn 6. Let children decorate the outside of the bell with
or ribbon. crayons, glitter and sequins.
3. About an inch up from the bell make a double knot 7. Sing “Recycling is the Way” to the tune of “Jingle
in the yarn or ribbon. Bells.” (See “Sing for Recycling” in the Wee Recyclers
Activity Guide.)
4. Poke a hole in the bottom of the egg carton section
using the pointed end of a scissors or a sharp pencil.

Seedling Starter
Additional Materials:
potting soil
seeds (rye grass or carrot seeds grow quickly)
water
plastic bag and twist tie

Procedure:
1. Cut an egg carton in half, using the top side for a
tray to trap drainage, and the egg section side for
potting soil and seeds.
2. Help children make two or three holes with a
sharp pencil in the bottom of each egg section for
drainage.
3. Let children fill each egg section with a small amount 5. Place the entire egg carton in a clear plastic bag
of potting soil. Set the egg section in the drainage and close it with a twist tie.
tray. 6. Set the cartons in a sunny window. Maintain moisture
4. Help children plant a few seeds in each section in the bag so seedlings do not dry out.
according to package directions and water the 7. When plants are big enough, transplant them outside
potting soil slightly. or to a bigger container.

Going Beyond:
Create a flower garden. Stick the stems of many egg carton flowers into a hard piece of “Styrofoam” that is
colored green. Place egg carton creatures on the ground around the flowers.
For a Mother’s Day gift, make three to five egg carton flowers with stems. Arrange them in a decorated container.
(See “Wee Reusables” for decorated container instructions.)
Use Styrofoam egg cartons to hold small amounts of different colored paints.
Egg cartons make great organizers of small things like beans, buttons, seeds, shells or stones.
See “Wee Printers” for printing with “Styrofoam.”

12
 Wee Printers – Making their Mark in the World!
Print making is a wonderful way to learn shapes and colors. Experiment with different materials to print on and to
print with. Let children discover the many shapes that different sides and angles of one object can make. Encourage
children to experiment with different objects and colors. What happens when colors are mixed or shapes are printed
on top of one another? Use the printed creations to make wall coverings, personalized cards and gift wrap.

Block Printing
Materials: Paint/Ink Pad
paper (scrap paper, shelf paper, tissue paper,

t
construction paper)

in
Pa
paints or inks (poster paints, finger paints, acrylics,
ink pads)
paint brushes or old tooth brushes
Sponge
shallow containers for paint (margarine tubs, foil
pans, meat packing trays)
work area covered with newspaper
painting aprons or old button-down shirts Lid Margarine tub

Objects to print with:

half onion sponge erasers Prints from various objects
half potato coins fork
carrot soda can match box
celery spools corks
citrus fruit nuts/bolts fingers Button
apple toothbrush buttons Spool
fern leaf potato masher screws Orange
pine branch toothpaste cap corn cob
extract bottle spice can cookie cutters
wooden clothes pin Fork

To make your own “ink” pads:

1. Cut a piece of sponge to fit inside a small margarine
Apple
tub or other small container with a lid.
2. Mix two parts poster paint with one part white glue.
Half potato
The glue makes the paint stick better to the printers
with heart carved in
and the paper.
3. Pour the mixture over the sponge and add a little
extra in the container.

To print:
1. Ink objects by pressing them on the paint-filled sponge. Potato masher
2. If the pad starts to dry out, add a little water to the
container.
3. When you are done printing, cover the container
with its lid and save until the next time you print.
13
Roller Printing
Materials:
rollers (paperboard juice cans, tin cans with their
labels on, paperboard tubes) string, fabric scraps,
rubber bands, etc.
poster paint
glue
cookie sheet or meat packing trays
paper to print on

Procedure:
1. Pour poster paint onto a cookie sheet or meat packing
tray to spread paint thin.
2. Let children glue scraps of string, material or rubber
pieces onto the roller.
3. When glue is dry, have children roll the roller through
a thin layer of paint and then across a piece of paper
to make a repeating pattern.

Polystyrene Printing
Materials: 2. Help young children cut out the shape to make a
stamp.
polystyrene material (from egg-carton covers or
meat packing trays) 3. Children can etch a design into the stamp using a
fingernail or pencil. Let them experiment making
scissors
other designs using a fork, screw, bottle cap or the
pencil end of a straw.
ink pad 4. Now the children are ready to print. Press the etched
paper to print on side of the stamp into the ink pad.
stencils or cookie cutters (optional) 5. Place the inked side of the stamp down on paper,
cover with a clean sheet of paper and press firmly.

Procedure: 6. This procedure can be repeated several times without

having to re-ink the stamp each time.
1. Let children draw a simple shape with a pointed
pencil on a flat piece of polystyrene. (If a more exact
shape is desired, trace a stencil or cookie cutter onto
the polystyrene surface.)

14
 Puppets
Puppetry can be an effective and entertaining means for conveying simple messages. Use some of the puppets
featured here to teach various activities found in the Wee Recyclers Activity Guide. Encourage children to speak
their own messages through puppets. The puppets are made with a variety of reusable materials. Discuss with your
children the materials being used, what the items were before becoming puppet parts and what other items could
be reused to make puppets.

Paper Bag Puppets

Materials:
clean, used paper bags
scissors
glue
scraps of construction paper
pieces of yarn and ribbon
crayons or markers
buttons cut from old shirts
paperboard tubes from paper
toweling or food wrap
Rocky Raccoon*
patterns*
Procedure:
* Patterns for some of the puppets can be found in the
Wee Recyclers Online Resources, http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/ 1. Find the patterns for Rocky Raccoon in the Wee
teacher/weerecyclers.htm. These patterns are for a standard Recyclers Online Resources http://dnr.wi.gov/
lunch bag that will fit an adult’s hand. Little children will still eek/teacher/weerecyclers.htm.
be able to manipulate the “mouth” of the standard lunch bag,
but they will not be able to use the finger holes for arms. You 2. Trace the patterns on pieces of colored construction
may want to look for smaller bags that will fit your children’s paper and cut them out.
hands and reduce the size of the patterns. 3. Glue the construction paper pieces in place on a
small paper bag.
Wee Reggie puppet 4. Use small dark buttons for the center of Rocky’s
eyes.
Procedure: 5. Use a brown and black crayon or marker to color
the rings on Rocky’s tail and the inside of his ears.
1. Find the patterns for
Wee Reggie in the Wee 6. Insert your hand into the bag and mark where your
Recyclers Resources, “pinky” finger and thumb touch the side of the bag.
reproduce them and cut out. Cut out two “arm” holes in the sides of the paper
bag.
2. Trace the patterns using
crayons or markers. 7. Your “pinky” finger and thumb will be Rocky’s
forepaws.
3. Glue Reggie’s head to the
bottom of a small paper bag and glue * Adapted from materials developed by Karen Fiedler,
Waukesha County Solid Waste Supervisor.
the Wee Recycler logo to the front of the bag.
4. Insert your hand into the bag and mark where your
“pinky” finger and thumb touch the side of the bag. Cut
out two “arm” holes in the sides of the paper bag.
5. Your “pinky” finger and thumb will be Reggie’s arms.

15
Freddy Fox Recycle Reindeer
Procedure: Procedure:
1. Find the 1. Help children trace around their hand on a folded
patterns paper bag (two layers of paper). Cut out the hand
for Freddy shapes for the reindeer’s antlers.
Fox in the Wee Recyclers Online Resources 2. Help children glue the antlers onto the top of a
http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/teacher/weerecyclers.htm. second paper bag.
2. Trace the patterns on pieces of colored construction 3. Let children cut out a nose, two eyes and spots from
paper and cut them out. scraps of construction paper and glue them to the
3. Glue the construction paper pieces in place on a reindeer’s body.
small paper bag.
4. Using crayons, color the inside of Freddy’s eyes yellow
and shade the outside of his ears orange.
Fold
5. Insert your hand into the bag and mark where your
“pinky” finger and thumb touch the side of the bag.
Cut out two “arm” holes in the sides of the paper
bag. Red nose
6. Your “pinky” finger and thumb will be Freddy’s
forepaws.
Brown Antlers
Frog
Procedure:
1. Take a small paper bag and fold the bottom of the
bag in half. This is the frog’s mouth.
2. Help children cut out a long tongue from construction
Blue or black eyes White Spots
paper and glue it to the bottom of the frog’s mouth.
3. Cut out two half-circles from construction paper and
make small folds along the straight edge to make
tabs. Children can color in the pupil with a dark
crayon and glue the eyes onto the bag so that they
stand upright.

Green eyes Red tongue

Color pupils black

16
Wee Recycler
Procedure:
1. Have your children draw a face on a small paper
bag with crayons, or cut facial features from scraps
of construction paper and glue them in place.
2. Open a small paper bag and
let children stuff it tightly with
wads of newspaper.
3. Insert a paperboard tube into
the open end of the bag and
tie the bag securely to the tube
with a piece of string.
4. Help children cut yarn into
short pieces and glue them to
the bag for hair.
5. For a collar, cut the bottom of
the bag into strips.

Paper Plate Puppets

Materials:
unwanted paper plates
scraps of construction paper
pieces of yarn, ribbon, string
buttons
paperboard tubes Trace and cut out wings
Color brown
scissors
glue
masking tape
crayons
patterns*
* Pattern for Olivia Owl found in the Wee Recyclers On-
line Resources http://dnr.wi.gov/eek/teacher/weerecyclers.htm.

Olivia Owl
Procedure:
1. Two paper plates will be needed to make this
puppet. Find the patterns for Olivia Owl in the Wee 4. Color the wings and the second paper plate with
Recyclers Online Resources. brown and orange crayons.

2. Trace all patterns (except the wings) onto scrap 5. Glue the construction paper pieces and wings in
pieces of paper and color designated areas. Cut out place on the whole paper plate.
the patterns. 6. Attach a paperboard tube to the back of the plate
3. Trace the wing pattern twice along the edge of a using masking tape.
paper plate. Cut out the wings.

17
Recycle Lion
Procedure:
1. Let children color a paper plate yellow or gold.
Brown
2. Help children trace and cut out circles, half-circles
and triangles from scraps of construction paper to
make Recycle Lion’s face. Help them glue the shapes
onto the paper plate as shown in the picture.
3. To make Recycle Lion’s mane, cut rectangular strips
Black nose
of yellow construction paper. Show children how to
roll each strip around a pencil to make it curl. Have
children glue the curled strips around the edge of
the paper plate. Variations: Yarn or ribbon may also
be used to make the mane.
4. Attach a paperboard tube to the back of the plate
White mouth Yellow ears
using masking tape.
& eyes & strips for mane

Turtle
Procedure:
1. One and a half paper plates will be needed to Green head
Green legs
make each turtle. On the back of one paper plate, & Green tail
let children draw a turtle shell design with green
crayons.
2. Help children cut out a head, tail and legs for the
turtle from green paper. Glue these pieces to the
under edge of the shell.
4. Cut a second paper plate in half and staple or glue
one half to the bottom of the turtle shell so that a
pocket is formed in which to insert your hand.
Top Bottom

Big Mouth
Procedure:
1. Help children fold a paper plate in half.
2. Have children cut out features from scraps of paper
and glue them to the paper plate. Glue on pieces of
yarn or ribbon for hair.
3. Children should place their thumb on the lower half
of the plate, and their fingers on the top half. Open
and close the hand to open and close the mouth.

18
Mitten or Sock Puppets
Materials:
worn-out socks or mittens
felt or material scraps
construction paper scraps
yarn scraps
scissors
glue
buttons Procedure:
needle and thread Using scraps of paper, felt, and yarn, glue or sew features
onto socks or mittens to make a variety of puppets.

Toilet Paper Tube Puppets

Materials: 3. Children can glue a cotton ball on the lower back
edge of the tube for a tail.
toilet paper tubes
4. Cut strips of paper for whiskers
scraps of construction paper
and glue them in place.
yarn scraps
5. Insert fingers into the
scissors bottom of the tube to
glue make the bunny hop.
crayons or markers
pipe cleaners or drinking straws

Recycle Bunny
Procedure:
1. Let children use a crayon or marker to draw a
rabbit face near the top of the toilet paper tube.
The rest of the bunny can also be colored.
2. Help children cut two long ears from construction
White paper for ears
paper and glue them to the inside upper edge of
the tube.
and strips for tail

19
Tube Tots
Procedure: 4. To make arms, poke two small holes on either side
of the tube about half way down. Insert a 5-inch
1. Let children draw a face near the top of the tube
long pipe cleaner or straw into one hole and out
and color in the rest of the tube using crayons or
the other. Let children bend ends to form hands.
markers.
5. Optional feet: Cut two strips of construction paper
2. Help children make hair. Cut 20 pieces of yarn
about one and one half inches long. Round off
about five inches long. Lay pieces of yarn together
one end of each strip. Glue the straight end of the
on a flat surface and tie them together in the middle
strips inside the tube and bend the rounded ends
with another piece of yarn. Children can spread
upwards.
glue around the upper edge of tube. Place the yarn
bundle on top of the tube and spread the yarn out 6. To work puppets, insert fingers into bottom of tube.
around the top of the tube. Press the yarn down so
that it adheres to the glue. Trim long strands away
from the face.

Hair
Glue

Feet

Finger Puppets
Materials:
discarded cereal boxes or other paperboard
scissors (and a small manicure scissors)
crayons or markers

Wee Recycler
Procedure:
1. Trace the Wee Recycler pattern onto a piece of poster
board and cut it out.
2. Use manicure scissors to cut out finger holes.
3. Use crayons or markers to color face, hair and clothes.
4. Fingers form legs when the puppet is operated.

20
Elephant

Cut
Out

Procedure:
1. Trace the elephant pattern onto a piece of poster
board and cut it out.
2. Use a manicure scissors to cut out the trunk hole.
3. Use crayons to draw a face and to color the
elephant.
4. A finger forms the trunk when the puppet is
operated.

21
Envelope Puppets
Materials:
used envelopes (from junk mail)
crayons or markers
scraps of paper or paperboard
paper plates
pom-pom

Procedure:
1. To make the head, put flap of envelope inside and
slide hand into corners of envelope.
2. To form mouth, “bite” your other hand with the
envelope.
3. Let children draw a face onto the top of the envelope
using crayons or markers.
4. Attach a paper plate to the bottom of the envelope
for a body.
5. Help children cut out arms, legs, wings, ears or a
tail from paper or paperboard. Glue them to the
paper plate and envelope.

22
 Our City
Children are naturally inquisitive, creative, good Streets
observers and full of colorful imaginations. This activ-
Take a walk outside and look at the streets in the
ity encourages the use of these skills. As you get ready
neighborhood. You may also want to show the children
to create the model city (town or neighborhood), take
pictures of streets in magazines and books. Ask your
several days to observe a “real” city. If possible, take a
children some of the following questions: Are the streets
walking tour, read stories or look at pictures of cities.
straight or winding? What color are they? What are
Make picture charts of the different “parts” of a city and
they used for? For young children, outline the street(s)
refer to these as the model is developed.
for them on the base. Everyone should participate in
filling in the streets. Use paints, crayons or markers to
Materials: add color. Or “paint” glue with your finger over the
surface and cover with sand, dirt, coffee grounds or
large piece of sturdy cardboard or an old window
seeds. Try gluing in place scraps of brown paper bag
shade for a base
or old newspapers.
art supplies as needed
large variety of cartons, boxes, paper tubes,
Houses
packaging *
scraps of paper or any recyclable or reusable items* Take a walk outside and look at the different houses
in the neighborhood. Discuss features such as doors,
*See listing of items in the Parent Letter at the end of the
“Wee Recycling Center” in Wee Recyclers Activity Guide.
windows, chimneys, etc. Ask them what their houses look
like. Help children make a pretend home that they would
like to live in. For the houses, use pint and half gallon
Procedure: sized milk cartons cut in half. Try using small paperboard
1. Designate a table or out-of-the-way area to build boxes leftover from food packaging or small gift boxes
the model city. (Setting aside a large space may be for apartment buildings or condominiums. Houses do
a problem for many facilities. If this is the case, not have to have straight walls. Use margarine tubs or
divide the children into groups to work on several yogurt containers for futuristic homes. Cut out windows
smaller cities or neighborhoods.) and doors or cover containers with paper and draw on
windows doors, bricks, shutters, etc. Be creative with a
2. Plan to build your city over several days or sessions. roof covering and include a chimney made from a slice
During each session a certain component of the city of paper tube. Add cotton smoke. Let the children decide
can be built. Consider these components: where they would like to place their houses in the city.
Streets
Houses Important Buildings
Important Buildings
Talk about other places or buildings that children may
People be familiar with in their neighborhoods or city. They
Vehicles may mention schools, churches, libraries, gas stations,
Nature stores and factories. Take a walk around town to look
for these buildings. Make a list of the buildings seen.
Other ideas Back in the classroom, have children choose the type of
3. Brainstorm with your children; find out what they building they would like to build. As with the houses,
know about a city. Ask them, what is a city? What supply children with a variety of different sized boxes and
things are in a city? Where do we find a city? Write containers to build structures. Suggest gluing different
or draw their ideas on a chalkboard or large piece containers together for bigger and taller buildings. Use
of paper. Next, take your children on a short walk paper tubes for smoke stacks or steeples and cellophane
around your neighborhood. Have them look for or tissue paper scraps for cut-out windows.
things not already on the list. When you return,
add newly discovered things to the list. Show your
children the base or “ground” on which their city
will be built and explain that this is where they will
create their own special city together.
23
People glued into place. Children may want to collect real leaves
and glue them to the paper tubes. Flowers can be made
Introduce this session by talking about what different
from scraps of bright colored paper cut or ripped into
people look like. They may bring up hair color and length,
tiny pieces. Some children may want to cut pictures of
skin color, size and age. What are some of the different
flowers from old magazines, wrapping paper or greeting
parts of the body? Ask about the important people in
cards. Glue pieces directly on the ground.
their lives (parents, grandparents, siblings, teachers,
etc.). Provide children with old magazines, catalogs Animals can be made from cut out pictures. See the
and junk mail. Let them find a picture of “themselves” section for “People” for directions.
and another picture to represent someone special. Help
the children cut out and glue the picture onto a thin
Other Ideas
piece of paperboard. When the glue is dry, cut the fig-
ures out again. Make a cut straight across the bottom Walk around the neighborhood again. What things
of the figure. Using the scrap paperboard, make small do the children see that have not yet been included in
triangular stands that are straight across the bottom. their city? Keep a list of the things they mention. Back
Cut a short slit in the center bottom of each figure and in the classroom ask them what additional things they
a slit in the center top of the stands. Fit the slits of the would like to put in their city. Help them to create these
stand and figures together so that the bottoms of both things. Power lines can be made from used straws and
are flush and the cut-out person will stand. scraps of string. Fire hydrants can be made from spools
or film canisters. Use toothpicks or popsicle sticks to lay
a railroad track. Try adding lakes or pools made from
Vehicles meat packing trays. Include a farm or zoo with animals
Discuss with your children the different types of ve- made from cutouts. Children may want to show where
hicles they see on city streets. Take a walk outside. What the landfill or recycling center is. Encourage children
vehicles do they see? Make a list of all the vehicles seen. to use their imaginations.
Have children describe what the vehicles look like. Are 4. As your city grows and is completed, children will
they big or small? How many wheels do they have? What feel a sense of pride for contributing to its creation.
shape are the wheels? How big are trucks and buses? Teachers should allow children to play with their
Supply children with a variety of small boxes, cartons cut-outs in the city when it is finished.
and containers. Let them create their own vehicles for
the city. Give them toilet paper tubes, spools, bottle caps
and film canisters if they want to make wheels. Encour- Going Beyond:
age them to use their imaginations. How might their Older children may want to make a more futuristic
vehicle be propelled? What is their vehicle used for? Let city. After completion, discuss the probability of
the children place their vehicle on the city streets and someday having real cities being built entirely from
move them around. recyclable materials.
Instead of a city, create another setting like a
Nature playground, park or farm. For a farm, make houses
and barns from boxes, fences from pieces of plastic
Ask your children what other things live in the city –
berry baskets, silos from paper tubes. Cut-out figures
like plants and animals. Start a picture list of things
of people and farm animals from magazines.
that live and grow in the city on the chalkboard or large
piece of paper. Take a walk outside to look for lawns,
gardens and parks. Talk about trees, grass, flowers and
bushes. What colors are they? Are they all the same?
Also, look for animals that are found in the city. What
kinds of animals are found here? Now let the children
add some nature to their city. They can use pieces of
sponge dipped in green paint to print a grassy surface,
or they can dip cotton balls into green paint and glue
them on the base as bushes. Paper tubes make good
tree trunks. Children can rip circles from paper for tree
foliage, color with crayons or paint, and glue them on
the trunk. They can also glue cotton balls or popcorn
dipped in green paint on the tree. Foliage can also be
created from bunched up crepe paper or tissue paper

24
 Credits and Acknowledgements
2009 Project Coordinator
Elisabeth E. Olson

Special thanks for editorial advice to

Tessa Jilot,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Kathleen Kiefaber,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Sarah Murray,
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

2009 Graphic Design and Illustration

Blue Sky Illustration and Design, LLC

Original 1992 Editors

Renee Mabie and Joel Stone

Original 1992 Graphic Design and Illustration

Georgine Price and Linda Pohlod

Your comments and suggestions about this activity

guide are welcome.
Please address your reply to:
Recycling Education and Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707

25
PUB-CE-2012 09