The environment is a very important topic in my opinion, especially how humans impact on it and how we can take small steps to make it a better place for the future generations. The boys have grown up in a home with some things already utilised, making it the norm for their futures – such as recycling, composting and reusing. I breastfed the youngest two boys until they were four years old, used reusable nappies and followed My Zero Waste from when they were very tiny. Sometimes though it is still good to talk to the children about why we do things, and discuss to see if there is anything further we could do. Carlton Kids have a lovely range of recycling project books all entitled “I am NOT” with wonderful craft ideas of how to reuse no longer wanted items that could end up in landfill. We coupled this lovely art and discussion morning with watching programmes on the television – such as Plastic fights back and Drowning in Plastic.
Carlton Kids: The Recycling Project Books
Carlton Kids have four Recycling Project Books to do with reusing egg boxes, cereal boxes, toilet rolls and socks – I immediately knew that we would love all four.
- I am NOT a TOILET ROLL
- Sara Stanford
- Age 6+
- £6.99
- ISBN 978-178312-406-0
This beautifully illustrated book shows how simply you can turn a toilet roll into a wonderful craft creation. With a step-by-step guide including variations on the designs. Each craft requires between one and eight toilet roll holders and is simple to make.
The Sensory Seeker opted for the alligator – which is a variation on the shark. We did adapt a few parts – such as using paper for the teeth as we did not have white card, and we used stickers for the eyes (because we had them already).
- I am NOT an OLD SOCK
- Sara Stanford
- Age 6+
- £6.99
- ISBN 978-178312-420-0
Again beautifully illustrated step-by-step guide to turn those old odd socks into wonderful creations, again some with slight variations. Of course additional materials are required. We opted for the snowman and substituted wadding with old newspaper instead. We tied the scarf straight on, so reduced the need for thread – and simply drew on the facial features and buttons – again illuminating the need for addition paper, buttons and glue. I do feel that instructions could have been illustrated a bit better in regards to how to cut the sock for the hat but we managed.
- I am NOT an EGGBOX
- Sara Stanford
- Age 6+
- £6.99
- ISBN 978-178312-416-9
Likewise ten fabulous makes are presented in a clear ordered guide for boys and girls alike to create and enjoy. Once again with variations on the original designs. Our eleven year old opted to make a slippery snake with just a few additional materials being required.
- I am NOT a CEREAL BOX
- Sara Stanford
- Age 6+
- £6.99
- ISBN 978-178312-417-0
Again the craft box is filled with great ideas including some bigger pieces. These can be used to bring together some of the other crafts – such as the puppet theatre or the aquarium.
All of these creations in this series of books can take up to an hour to make and encourage readers to recycle. We reuse containers for our glue and paints as well as the materials utilised to make the crafts. They are a great way to minimise waste whilst maximising fun. Whilst also inspiring their imaginations to create further master pieces. The books also have templates of images at the back of them to help with the creations.
We were sent copies of The Recycling Project Books for purposes of review. All opinions are honest and my own.
Great projects, my eldest loves to make things from items that would otherwise be thrown away. The snowmen are my favourite, they’ve done such a good job with them!
Nat.x