Fun Sustainable Crafts for Kids!

By Brooke Hubbard

When Sustainability 1000 visited Bend, OR, we thought we would inspire and teach kids about sustainability in hopes that they will carry the lesson throughout life. However, after seeing what the kids were already doing to make crafty bags out of old plastic, it turned out that we were the ones who were inspired. Anyone can reuse a plastic grocery store bag for their trash can. But can they gather up some other old plastic and turn it into a creative-use-all-the-time-bag? The students at Bend Middle School can! 

Egg Carton Penguin!

After learning about this fun way to reuse regular plastic bags, I started wondering about what other typical parts of my day could be transformed into a fun and environmentally friendly craft.

This is up-cycling at its best!

I did some research and found some pretty interesting ideas that others have come up with:

1. Egg Carton Animals

2. Baby Food Jar Snow Globes

3. Milk Gallon Masks

4. Jean book covers

5. Water bottle Bird Feeder

Yogurt Cup Frog and Turtle!

6. Yogurt containers  

7. Toilet Paper Roll Poppers

8. Soda Can Lantern

9. Light Bulb Animal Hanging Decorations

Feel free to submit further ideas in comments! There are endless opportunities for fun if we just look around and think creatively!

Soda Can Lantern

Anything can be fun. Even up-cycling! Especially, when you can use materials you already have around the house.

Dear Oregon

Thanks for your patience. You have delivered consistently with a solid number of green and eco guests for our radio shows. Our 370,000 listeners so far appreciate it.

In the news, Oregon is still blazing forward with its sustainability projects. Developing green curriculums for schools and job training programs.

As companies are put under a microscope for attempting to make more money for the top executives and wealthy stockholders, there is a new focus. What about the contractor and small businesses whose value is finally be revealed.

I just watched Green Zone with Matt Damon. This film walked us through how and way we got into the war with Iraq. It shows how people choose deception for short-term gain.

As i discussed today with my guest from northern California, short-term thinking is still pre-dominant in many parts of our society. Short-term high crop yields for example that require more and more chemicals. Short-term acquisition of farms to consolidate them for what is believed to more efficient.

When profits come before people and communities, short-term financial growth explosions like we saw in housing and banks lead to bigger drops in the markets. We basically set ourselves up to fail more dramatically the more we try and move away from local, truthful and thoughtful choices.

I see how we got into the situation we are in. People like nice things and their is a feeling that we should have more and more of these. Honestly, we need to consider that

The Inspiring World

When I recently spoke at the Realms charter middle school in Bend Oregon, I had no expectation that my little talk would inspire As I entered the building modern yet simple building that was a sublet of the local public middle school, I noticed how much seemed to brimming from the rooms. There was quiet activity in every space. Drawings and projects posted on most walls. The energy flowed out of rooms with ease. These kids were learning.

As an experiential teacher myself for corporations and communities, I notice when real learning is happening. I see people's minds engage in the subject and ideas fly then stick.

I used this presentation  on that day. "Inspiring Sustainability" was the title of the talk. Having taught for 15 years, I knew I could come up with something interesting and interactive for the kids, but the ultimate effectiveness can still vary. I was a little freaked out about being in front of them. Kids are notorious unforgiving if they sense any fear. Like a pack of wild animals, they can circle and pounce.

The last time I had taught middle school was as part of an after-school program in Brooklyn eight years ago. It is true that this audience in Bend might be a little more forgiving than a set of New York City students who were required to be in my class because of their remedial needs. I had no idea what was going to happen.

Today I received an email from their teacher. She forwarded a computer game that one of the students has created from scratch. This was based on their 2 hour brainstorming process. I am feeling so proud of this kid right now. As I look at this example I see how everyone can make a choice to discover their passion and connect it to sustainability.



I have to thank their team Jamison who leads her students toward their interests with gentle encouragement. I saw her skill during my 2 hours with her class. She jumped right into the group activity. She encouraged each person in her group of students to keep exploring how their ideas might be made into real life things. I was in awe of her ability to be in the moment like a kid herself, not trying to teach. She just watched and asked questions of the kids. Or clarified things with me. Her curiosity was contagious for the 7th and 8th graders in her small group.

As a teacher, we learn so much from watching how other teacher's work. For anyone who has taught middle school knows this can be a tough time. I admire this school - it's passionate students and devoted teachers. Keep on greening!

So many new videos HERE

So folks, I am using Youtube to host all my videos and there are tones of new videos for Oregon.

Check out my playlist on the Sustainable 1000 Youtube Channel for all the Oregon videos in one place.

We have scheduled the Oregon Green Radio Show for Thursday, April 29 at 10:00 AM Pacific. We will be discussing the green lifestyle in the northwest with Oregon specialists.

And an inspirational song for your day...

	Rascal Flatts - My Wish
	Found at My Wish on KOhit.net

Bend OR - What an Inspiration!

As I prep for a possible talk at a local alternative middle school, Realms.org, I ran across this video from Nick. Looks like I will be talking to the kids this afternoon.

The opportunity to speak at the school is just one thing that happens, because of the ability to say yes. I often times I get so busy that the natural opportunities that flow around me get missed. This project of interviewing so many people across America is opening me up to the beauty of the world around me and to saying YES.

The truth is you don't have to travel around the world to discover these things. The next time you meet someone really listen to what they say to you. That's when inspiration strikes deepest.

Nick News: "A Kid Off the Grid"

Arrive in Portland tomorrow!

I'm excited to meet some green folks in OR. Let me know what's you're working on.

Prepping for our arrival in Oregon

Hi Oregon!

We getting ready to meet green inspirations in Oregon. Check back here for those interviews, videos, and podcast. The radio show will launch next week in preparation for our arrival.