We have found a lot of ways to repurpose our extra greeting cards! We’ve made boxes, used the front of a folded card as a postcard, and now turned cards into boats. Here’s how we did it.
For the bottom of the boat, we made a box (see this post on making greeting card boxes).
Then I used the front of the card to design a mast and sail piece. Take a peek at the pictures below, it shows you the shape I cut out. I cut out the shape, and then folded along the lines to create the mast (the sails automatically “fell into place”).
That’s about it. Pretty easy, in my book. You could also cut individual pieces and tape or glue them to a pipe cleaner if you wanted to do so. But the method I’ve explained here worked well for us.
Toby had lots of fun playing with his boat after we attached the mast and sails to the bottom (using scotch tape).
He did move the mast around several times, and I wouldn’t count on this craft being too durable… depending on how rough your child plays with the toy it might not last long.
But that’s the beauty of repurposed crafts like this toy boat. It doesn’t matter if it falls apart, or if it doesn’t last very long. It was made from something that would’ve otherwise been thrown away. It gave new life to an unneeded greeting card. It was eco-friendly, and promotes creativity rather than consumerism.
Here are a few more pictures of the toy boat… yes, Toby used Little People from the Little People Christmas set #afflink. We’ve gotten more use out of that Christmas nativity set; I love how it ends up being used throughout the year and doesn’t have to be put away once Christmas has come and gone.
Creative Eco-Friendly Activities for Kids
This post is part of the Creative Activities for Kids monthly blog hop.
- Recycled Egg Crate Flowers from Schooling a Monkey
Construction Provocation from Study at Home Mama
43 Responses
Rosey
Aww how fun. I vaguely remember doing this in my youth. Shame on me that I haven’t done it with my kids!
Chubskulit Rose
What a cute idea! This is a great way to recycle old greeting cards you have sitting in the storage or cabinet.
Jen
This is so cute! This is a great idea to do with the smaller kids!
LaShawn
This is so adorable! My nephew would love this, it’s perfect for his age group!
Tammilee Tips
This is such a cute idea!!! I bet your kids loved the boat; it would be fun to decorate as well.
michele d
That’s cute! My son did something like this when he was younger for a school project. It was super cute.
Terri Ramsey Beavers
That is just as cute as it can possible be. Seeing posts like this reminds me that I don’t have the creative gene that everyone else seems to have. Thanks so much for sharing.
CourtneyLynne
Omg!!!! This is the coolest!!! My daughter is little people obsessed so I will have to make her a boat for her peeps lol….
Jennifer
Love this idea — we were just learning the nursery rhyme about the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker today! This would be a fabulous extension — thanks for sharing
Reginia Cordell
Wow, this is perfect for my nephews he is two year old, he would love this.
Angela Christoper
My kids would love this even they are 4 years old! This is very cute and looks very creative.
Franc Ramon
This is such a great and crafty ideas for greeting cards. Kids can be creative with their boat and also play with it with their other toys.
XmasDolly
My grandsons are going to get a kick out of this. I can’t wait to try it with them. They’ll probably end up showing me how. Thanks for sharing. This is too cute.
Michelle H
My boys are going to love this. They are always recycling things around the house.
Lauren
This is a great craft idea! I want to make one now! thanks for sharing!
Fi Ní Neachtáin
How this is so sweet! I have to go and try and make one from my boy. He’d love it in his tub in the garden 🙂
Joanne T Ferguson
How fun is this? I want to make one of these right now and so reminds me of childhood fun!
Penny Struebig
This is a great idea — how fun! Wonderful activity to do with your little ones.
tyra
That is absolutely adorable! I am so not crafty but it is great to see kid fun not involving video games!
DogVills
This is so cute. I love how easy it is to make. I like that it is made from things around the house. I will make it with my daugther
Reelika @Financially Wise On Heels
How cute 🙂 This is really adorable! Great to see what we could make up from simple things 🙂
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories
What a cute idea! I love your creativity. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday linkup. Pinned to our linkup board.
Betsy Finn
I hear you, Rosey! There have been several times lately I have thought the same thing.
Betsy Finn
Thanks! Reusing things is so much fun 🙂
Betsy Finn
Thanks Jen, glad you like it!
Betsy Finn
Thanks, LaShawn! Let me know if you end up making one for him 🙂
Betsy Finn
Oh, that is a great idea! Decorating the boats… 🙂
Betsy Finn
Cool, Michele. I bet he had a blast.
Betsy Finn
Aww, thanks Terri. I’m sure you have a creative streak in you somewhere though….even if crafts aren’t it.
Betsy Finn
Oh yes; Little People are the best…didn’t you know? 🙂
Betsy Finn
Oh….fantastic idea, Jennifer! Thanks for sharing!
Betsy Finn
If you try it…let me know how he likes his boat!
Betsy Finn
Yes, it is fun for 4 year olds too!
Betsy Finn
Thanks Franc. It definitely prompts creative play.
Betsy Finn
Awesome! I love it when the kids instruct a craft. 🙂
Betsy Finn
Great! I love it when my boys repurpose things too.
Betsy Finn
Thanks, Lauren!
Betsy Finn
Oh, that’s a great idea…I bet it would float….at least for a while.
Betsy Finn
Ah yes…nostalgia and memories! Glad to help bring those times back to mind for you.
Betsy Finn
Thanks Penny!
Betsy Finn
I totally agree. We try to offer alternatives to screen time…
Betsy Finn
Fantastic! I hope she has as much fun as my boys did.
Betsy Finn
Thanks Reelika!