One of the things that happens when your kids start leaving home is that they usually leave behind a HUGE PILE of their belongings. Things they didn’t want to take with them but weren’t willing to take to the local thrift store.
Because, you know, THEY are busy.
Those of you with older children, YOU know what I mean.
Not all of the items left behind are useless like holey socks, or video games for systems NO ONE plays any more (they probably left the whole gaming system in that HUGE PILE). In fact, you might find a great use for one or two of the items – pieces from board games come to mind as well as action figures, stuffed or plastic animals.
So before you go running off to the donation station and after you take some time to master a couple of levels of Picman, you might sort though the pile to see what might be useful as a crafting item.
Let’s start with plastic animals.
Plastic Animal Necklaces from iLoveToCreate Blog
Toy Planters from Little Bit Funky
Frog in a Sweater Brooch – From The Creative Goddess (that’s me!)
Plastic Animal Bookends from Artisan Des Arts
Plastic Animal Hooks from Pyssellolaget
Plastic Animal Photo Holders from Stars for Streetlights
Plastic Elephant Book Ends from Love Grows Wild
Goldfish Necklace from The Creative Goddess (this blog!)
Also See Experiments in Bead Making: A Turtle Necklace
Animal Place Card Holder from Parties for Pennies
Neon Animal Push Pins from A Bubbly Life
Party Animal Candles from The Sweetest Occasion
Plastic Animal Crafts from Little Gray Fox
Trophy Heads from Llevo El Invierno
Turkey Placecard Holders from The Sweetest Occasion
Honestly, I’ve already blown through the animals we had here but now that I’m seeing these projects I might hit the thrift store to see if I can find more.
Cute DIY ideas Vicki 🙂 It’s awesome to reuse unused toys lying around. What type of paint is best to use btw?
I usually use spray paint, Emmerey Rose. Wipe the toy down with alcohol to get oil and dirt off and then spray according to manufacturers instructions. Easy Peasy!
Thanks Vicki! I tried painting using spray paint on plastic too but it comes off easily when I clean them.
Well, that’s a bummer Emmerey. I usually only use mine in things that are for decoration so I’m not much help here.
Hi love the work !!
Tried to make the neck accessory holder …had a question…when u cut the animals in half , the animal is hollow from inside … So wat do u stuff inside it. And do u fix it with a nail ! ?
I filled it with white cement and clay … But bcos of it being plastic it doesn’t stick inside .. Pls guide !
Thank u so much
Hi Tanvi,
I just left the animals hollow – didn’t try to fill them.
I glued around the edge of the animal and then used two screws to screw the head onto the the wood. The screw and glue hold them in place just fine.
I hope that helps.
Perfect ! Thank u so much .. Will try 🙂
Tanvi, let me know how it works out for you. 🙂
Vicki…thank you so much for including my plastic animal placecard holders! Want to know the funny thing about that? I wanted horses but when I got home, I realized some were donkeys! Hopefully no one got offended. ;p Thanks again! <3 Heidi
Hello Heidi! I read that in the blog and thought it was hysterical. You were very diplomatic in giving yourself one of the donkey’s. Quick thinking! 🙂
Vicki, this is too funny! I especially like the place cards and the hooks. Wonder how much weight those can hold…would a purse be too much? I want to try some of these ideas!
Ha! Maria. I guess that might depend on the purse. Some of the ones I see could be considered LUGGAGE!
I imagine you could reinforce them with a heavy screw or bolt from the back. Maybe.