Activities to do with recycling( 45 minutes)

For this activity, get together a box or bag of your recycling:
egg containers, cardboard, cartons, loo roll and kitchen roll cardboard tubes, scraps of paper, etc...


Get your kids together of let them compete against each other.  better if you have two working together as this activity fosters cooperative learning!

Let each child, or group come to your recycling and choose one item ( before you tell them what they are doing !)

Give them one piece of paper, one roll of tape ( masking tape preferable) and one pencil or pen and a pair of scissors. 


Using a timer, reveal a list of items they will have 45 minutes to create! Countdown so they can see the timer ticking! It adds to the fun and suspense!

At the end, test and judge what they have done!

I have used this activity in creative thinking clubs during half terms and it never fails to amuse.  Kids LOVE this one! They get to be creative, active, a work together as a team.

Do not give them extra paper, recycling etc.  This is best when they have to problem solve too so limited resources is important.  Do not let them ask you questions once they have begun.  In order to stop them, I give out one chip per team or pupil.  They have to agree to use it for ONE question during the 45 minutes. Once it's gone, it is gone!  You can use anything for the chip ( it can be the corner of a piece of paper).  You will be surprised how much they want to hold onto the chip which is great because they have to learn to get on with the project themselves and not rely on asking the teacher ( or parent) questions and getting answers! This helps to foster a sense of self belief as most kids really can't accept failure so always look for constant approval.  They will have to rely on each other and themselves and then will feel a sense of achievement having completed the task without assistance!


The LIST

something useful for measuring
something used for communication
a trap for a pest
something useful for a teacher
something that holds water
a piece of jewellry
some kind of shelter
a toy for a child
something that can spin
something that can sail through the air for about 5 metres
something that represents you or your group
a musical insturment




GO!