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You are here: Home / Frugal Family / Building Materials Out of Kitchen Trash (Frugal Family Link-Up)
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Building Materials Out of Kitchen Trash (Frugal Family Link-Up)

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For the past several years we’ve been using cans for building materials.  They’re quick and easy to use, and if you’re cooking at home frequently you’ll generate a fair number of them in a quick amount of time.

Supplies to make the recycled building materials:

clean edge can opener, canned food, scrapbook paper, paint, chalkboard paint, glue, paintbrush

The easiest one is just open the can, peel the paper off, wash it, and the kids are ready to play.  I have to admit most of our cans look like this.  It’s easy and lazy way to go.

I originally thought this was the most awesome method.  You just sit there and slap a few layers of paint on your cans.  The problem, when kids knock it down the paint chips.  I’m sure this could be solved with a layer or so of clear paint or some mod podge.  But we spent a happy afternoon painting them, and that was the main purpose to my mind.

Chalkboard paint is another fun alternative.  Then you can draw with it also.  Just to warn you, it will take 3-4 coats to get it completely covered.  That or I’m not good with painting with it.  The verdict is still out on that one.

This is my absolute favorite.  I’ve just started this one, and it’s my favorite because of how easy it is.  I just cut out some random scrapbooking paper scraps and used normal school glue painted on the back to create it.  I think these are incredibly bright and colorful, and it’s super fast and easy to do.

Why do I love these recycled building materials so much?

I love these recycled building materials because if something gets broken or messed up (which happens all the time with 2 active boys) I don’t get annoyed when it happens.  Instead I put the can in the recycling and move on.

How I’ve used our recycled building materials for school

To enact Joshua and the Battle of Jericho
When the 12 spies went into the Land of Canaan
To build the city of Sodom and Gomorrah

Other ideas for recycled building materials

cardboard milk cartons (I love these because it already looks like houses)
generic cardboard boxes (we go through tons of them for crafts all the time)
aluminum foil (make rivers, it’s great for adding shine to any project)

Once you start looking for recycled building materials, you’ll find you can spend a lot less on toys and your kids imaginations will soar.
What recycled building materials would you add?

Ticia Messing is a Jesus loving wife and Mom to 3 hyper kids. Between homeschooling, pretending to clean the house, and a few random hobbies, she blogs at Adventures in Mommydom. You can also find her on Pinterest, Google+, Facebook, and Twitter.

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Frugal Family 2013

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