Quick Recycled Materials Activities for Quarantine

Need new ideas to entertain the little ones who are stuck indoors? Crafty mom Sara might have just saved your sanity with these simple ideas that literally use items you would normally throw away!  

By Sara Jadiya Chow  

Here are three easy recycled material activities anyone can make to bust the kid’s boredom as we continue our days in isolation.  The best thing is you won’t need to go hunting for special materials as these should be items we all have at home.  Okay, you’ll need to order a pizza for the hopscotch, but you’ll thank me for sorting dinner at the same time!   These DIY projects will only require 10 minutes or so to prepare and will entertain your child for much longer, so you can sit and have a moment to yourself or join in on the fun!  

HOME BOWLING

THINGS YOU NEED:

- 6 toilet paper rolls
- 1 medium-size ball

WHAT TO DO:

- Set up the toilet paper rolls in a pyramid formation
- Play bowling with your kids!

Special tip: For younger kids, you’ll need to stay behind the pins ready to catch the ball to return to your kids and set up the pins again.  

EGG CARTON SAILBOAT

THINGS YOU NEED: 

- 1 egg carton
- 2 straws
- Colored Paper or gift wrap paper

WHAT TO DO:

- If you have a 10-egg carton, cut it to 6.
- Cut the straws to 15cm and 20 cm.
- Cut the colored or wrapping paper into 2 trapeziums about the size of your palm.
- Punch 2 holes on each of the trapezium 1cm from the edge, 1 on top and 1 on the bottom.
-  Put the straw through the trapezium to make the sails.
- Poke 2 holes in the center row to put the straws upright. Load your boat with voyagers and sail away!

You can sail this on water but it will become pulpy after a while so keep an eye on it.  

DIY HOPSCOTCH

Last but not least, order pizza for dinner first before you do this one!

THINGS YOU NEED:

- 1 pizza box
- Scissors

WHAT TO DO:

- Cut out 4 circles and 4 squares from the pizza box.
- Lay it out on the floor and you have hopscotch ready for your kids!

This one is super quick to make and also easy to dispose of. The rings can also be used for sorting games dividers. You can also let the kids spend some time painting them to make them more attractive. 

About the Author

Sara is a Cantonese (Hong Kong) – Thai mixed Mommy who has lived in Bangkok for 28 years. She speaks Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai and English fluently and has been BAMBI’s Chinese coordinator since May 2018.

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