Anyone’s home is a treasure trove of crafting supplies. Everyday items can be recycled into delightful treasures that can be kept and enjoyed, given as gifts or sold at craft fairs. Allow your imagination to run free as you look at empty milk cartons or jugs, burned out light bulbs or even those plastic grocery bags that seem to pile up by the dozens.

One of the fun things about recycling items from around the house is that you can demonstrate to children the logic and fun of recycling and share the time together in gathering and putting to use the great items. Another great aspect of recycling household items is the fact that most everyone is going to have the items, but if you don’t, others have enough to share for creating crafts with scouting groups, vacation Bible school groups and others.

An example of a craft to make with empty milk jugs would be to create ice candles. Naturally, this craft would require adult participation. Ensure your waxed milk carton is clean inside and the top section cut off. Place a prepared candle wick at the bottom of the milk carton and support the wick at the top by securing it to a pencil or dowel that is placed across the top of the milk carton. Have your candle wax heated and ready for pouring. Depending on the type of cavities that you want in your ice candle, use finely or coarsely crushed ice and fill the milk carton to the height you intend the candle to be. Be sure the wick remains in the center of the carton and carefully pour the heated candle wax into the carton to the desired height. Once the wax is set, pour out the water and carefully cut off the milk carton. A one-of-a-kind craft treasure was just created from a recycled milk carton.