Ready for Life : Upcycled Animals

Instead of binning packaging around the house, give it a second life by using a bit of paint and imagination.

Here are some materials that you probably already have in the house!

Soda Bottle Penguins

What you will need:

• 2 x 2 litre soda bottles
• Paint & Brushes
• Accessories - Ribbon or Pompom
• Glue

Here's How:

• Wash both bottle out and remove labels
• Next, cut them in half, keeping only the bottom sections.
• Slide the 2 bottoms together with the rippled feet of the bottle making the head and feet of our penguin.
• With black and white paint and moms help, this plastic tube can be fashioned into a penguin.

Egg carton Caterpillars

What you will need:

• Egg cartons
• Green paint & Brushes
• Pipe Cleaners
• Glue
• Permanent marker

Here's How:

• Cut the cartons in to strips. Make sure that you have a 6-count holder intact
• Paint it with green acrylic paint. Leave it on the side to dry completely.
• Cut two small slits with kitchen scissors, box cutter or one hole punch at one of the ends. This is where the antenna will go.
• Weave a yellow pipe cleaner through the slits. Make them stand upwards as antennas, cut if needed.
• Glue the pipe cleaner down on the inside of the egg carton.
• Dress up your caterpillar with wiggly eyes.
• Use a permanent black marker to draw a smile.

Toilet roll Crafts

What you will need:

• Toilet rolls
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• Double-sided tape
• Scissors

Here's how:

• Place a peg on the toilet paper roll and have your child paint the toilet rolls. Leave to dry.
• Cut the tops of the rolls into the shape of a chicken or bunny.
• Top with tuffs of wool
• Fold the bottom of the wings and stick onto the sides with double-sided tape.
• Draw on faces and play!