As a resourceful art teacher, you’re always mindful of getting the most out of your valuable art supplies. If you’re looking for creative ways to reuse and upcycle your materials, check out the ideas below (and pat yourself on the back for doing your part to help save the planet).
Below you’ll find ideas for using leftover art materials for future art projects, as well as some fun lesson plans that turn recyclables into masterpieces.
Creative ways to upcycle art supplies
Do you feel like you’re always throwing away paper scraps and dried-out markers in your busy art room? With the following tricks, you can show students how to turn this trash into treasure and save these leftovers from ending up in a landfill.
1. Papermaking: Making homemade paper offers opportunities to talk about science, sustainability, and history, as well as the elements of texture, color, and composition. Read this blog post from our friends at The Art of Education that walks you through the papermaking process and makes connections to responsible decision-making.
2. Collage & decoupage: Have students use paper scraps or torn pages from old sketchbooks to create a collage or decoupage on objects. Try the “Art of Personal Storytelling” lesson, which combines torn paper collage with writing practice.
3. Paper beads: Using triangular paper strips about 1 inch wide at the base and 6–10 inches long, have students tightly roll them around a toothpick or skewer and secure them with glue. They can then use Mod Podge over the bead and remove the toothpick when hardened to create a hole through the middle of the bead. When finished, they can string them into necklaces.
4. Make liquid watercolors: Start by assigning a couple of students as “quality control” testers to check each marker. Have them set aside any that are dried up. Next, sort the markers by color and place similar shades tip-down in reusable glass jars with lids. Add water and let them soak — this is a great time for students to observe and discuss any changes they notice. The longer the markers sit, the richer the colors will become. After some time, your new liquid watercolors will be ready to use!
5. Sculpture art: After you’ve soaked up all the ink from your markers, you can still use the tubes by using them for 3D art projects! Have students design and glue the marker tubes and other recycled materials to a board. Then, have them spray paint the materials on their board to create a cohesive 3D look to their artwork. Or challenge students to incorporate the empty marker barrels into a robot created from recycled materials and spray paint finished robots with silver or gold paint to give them a metallic look.
6. Melted wax art: Gather all those little stubs of broken crayons you have laying around and get ready to create melted crayon art! Using a blow dryer or a wax melter and droppers, have students create colorful designs on chipboard or matboard. Try having them start with a drawing in permanent marker, such as a face, and then use the melted wax to add hair or fur to an animal drawing. Show them how to move the wax on their surface with a blow dryer to get long, then effects.
7. Tiny art gallery: Challenge students to use fabric and paper scraps to create miniature weavings, drawings, and paintings. They should then use scrap cardboard or shoeboxes to create a gallery diorama where they can hang their works of art. Encourage them to think about wall color, art groupings, etc., and to name their gallery. If time allows, have them create mini figures for their dioramas out of clay. Then, hold a Gallery Walk Night where students can show off their creations.
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Explore recycled art lesson plans
In this environmental art lesson, students collect plastic bottle caps and then use them to create colorful 3D art with melted crayons.
Explore patterns and create nature-inspired artwork with this lesson that uses recycled cardboard or paper bags combined with organic elements found in nature.
Don’t throw out those used cereal containers! Pair them with realistic clay creations for a colorful pop art project.
Combine art and science in this exploration of organic art. Students will love seeing the intense dyes and textures they can derive from rust, leaves, flowers, vegetables, and more.
Ready to boost creativity while teaching students about sustainability?
By incorporating these upcycling ideas into your classroom, you’ll inspire students to think creatively about sustainability while making the most of their materials. These recycled art projects not only reduce waste but also offer fun and innovative ways to teach valuable skills like problem-solving and resourcefulness. Plus, you’ll be helping the environment one masterpiece at a time!