Taking Care of the Earth

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

These three simple concepts can help us to live more lightly upon the earth. The following projects honour the earth by reusing materials to create something new. We are never too old or too young to consider our environment and to make changes. You can make a difference!

Scarecrow for all seasons

Whether or not you have a garden is unimportant. A scarecrow not only wards off big black crows from a garden, but also appeals to children as a protective shaman on their turf.

What you will need:

• old white pillowcase for the head
• permanent markers in a variety of colours
• 60 cm x 60 cm board, 120 cm long for the body
• 2.5 cm x 10 cm board, approximately one metre long for the arms (proportions for both boards are approximate, lumberyards usually have scrap heaps you can peruse)
• old clothes, including hat or wig
• stuffing: straw, dried leaves, or rags work fine
• nails and twine

To make the body frame to hang everything on, nail the one metre board onto the longer board about a foot from the top (Save it at the end of the season! You can use this frame year after year). Next, pull an old shirt over the arms, and slip a leg from a pair of pants through the long board, or use a skirt for a woman scarecrow. Tuck the shirt inside the pants or skirt, and tie securely with twine.

You are now ready for stuffing. Push the straw or leaves into the shirt body and pants. Pack the pillow case halfway with the stuffing and gather it together then draw the face on with the markers. Next, secure the head onto the frame with a rubber band or twine. Finally, dig a hole for your scarecrow and place the long end into the ground. Pack the hole with soil and rocks, and tamp it down. For the final touches, add a hat or wig, tie on a pair of shoes, and pin gardening gloves or mittens at the ends of the sleeves. You can tie pie plates onto the arms to make them clatter and wave in the wind, or loop buckets of fresh flowers for a special effect.

Tap shoes

Turn an old pair of shoes into dancing shoes! Kids love the sound and feel of these. Remind your child that the washers can scratch wood floors.

What you will need:

• old pair of shoes (tennis shoes will work fine)
• 4 flat metal washers
• super glue (adult use only recommended)

Clean the soles of the shoes with soap and water and dry thoroughly.

Next, glue two washers onto the soles of the shoes near the toe with the super glue. Glue two more at the heel. Get set, and dance!

Tin can lantern

This project is one of my family’s all time favourites. Once used extensively in colonial America, these lanterns provide a relatively safe way for your child to carry a candle (under adult supervision of course!) or place the lanterns down a walkway to light up the night.

What you will need:

• empty clean tin cans: any size, but the bigger ones are best
• votive candles
• hammer and nail
• coat hanger or wire to be used for a handle
• dried spaghetti noodle (for lighting the candles)
• towel for each can

Fill each can up to 5 cm from the top with water and freeze solid. The ice will keep the can from collapsing when holes are nailed into the sides.

When the cans are ready, provide each lantern maker with a hammer and a good sized nail. Lay the can of ice on a folded towel to prevent slipping, and have your child nail holes into the sides of the lantern. The more holes, the more light the lantern will give off when lit. Your child can nail random holes, or follow a pattern drawn on the side with a felt tip prior to freezing. 

To make a handle, nail two holes near the top of the can on opposite sides. Slip a piece of wire hanger through the holes, and bend the ends to hold into place. When ready to light, I found that lighting the candles in the lantern was much easier with a dried spaghetti noodle. The long piece of pasta burns steadily and allows the time to light each candle without burning fingers (remember this for birthday cakes too!).

Recycled crayon cookies

Recycle those broken crayon nubs and make rainbow coloured new ones!

What you will need:

• broken crayons with the paper peeled off
• foil cupcake liners
• muffin tin

Turn the oven on to 300 degrees. Place the liners in the muffin tin then set the crayon pieces into the liners. You can sort by colour or mix the colours. Bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes until the crayons are melted. Cool and peel the foil from your new crayon!