Pass It On
Rescue toys from the trash and use recyclables to turn them into new toys.
- toys or games with missing or broken parts
- various recyclable items, such as bottle tops, egg cartons, drinking straws, spools from thread, rubber bands, plastic cartons, cardboard, yarn scraps, buttons, plastic rings from bottle tops, felt and cloth scraps, pieces of broken toys, craft sticks, clothespins, ribbon, paste
- yarn
- crayons, paints, and brushes
- glue
- stapler
- Suppose you had a game of checkers with some pieces missing. How could you replace the missing checkers? Perhaps you could use bottle tops or buttons as checkers. Using household items to replace missing parts can save a toy and reduce waste.
- Choose a toy to rescue. Identify the toy's missing or broken parts. Look through the recyclable items you collected. Try to find items that have the same shape, size, or color as the missing parts. You can also use parts from another toy or game that has missing pieces. Maybe you'll invent a brand new game!
- Use glue, yarn, or staples if you need to attach pieces to your toy. If you like, decorate the toy with crayons and paints. Reuse your toy and pass it on for a friend to enjoy.
- If you created a new game, write up the directions for it on a computer. Print out the directions and play the game with friends. Ask your friends to tell you what they think of the game. That's what toy makers do when they create a new toy. It's called market research.