Eco-friendly living starts with what you make!
Help the environment and show off your creativity with our eco-friendly crafts! Most crafts can be made with simple materials around the house but others may require specific tools found in hardware stores. Explore these different crafts below and be sure to post your creations and tag @ucfarboretum on Instagram!
Garden & Nature
Seed Confetti
Seed confetti is a fun way to support native plants and attract pollinators to neglected areas. When thrown outdoors and exposed to rain, the paper naturally composts and the seed germinate into beautiful plants.
Plastic Bottle Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens provide a great introduction to gardening while also maximizing space. It is also beneficial to plants as it improves airflow, making watering significantly easier!
Bee Hotel
Solitary bees are important pollinators, and they need places to build their nests. Making a bee hotel can help them find an ideal place to build their nest.
Rain Barrel
Use rainwater for gardening or cleaning to reduce water use. You can harvest hundreds of gallons of free water for your lawn and garden while lowering your water usage.
Composting Bin
Composting at home and collecting compostable materials to take to a local composting program is a great way to reduce landfill waste
Bird Seed Charm
Create beautiful decorations that give back to the wildlife! These charms are an eco-friendly way to feed the outdoor critters while adding some homemade charm to your yard.
Science & Energy
Beeswax Wrap
Using reusable beeswax is a great alternative to plastic bags or plastic wrap when you need to store leftovers or want to take food on the go. These wraps are non-toxic, natural, and reduce household waste!
Cleaning Product
By making your own cleaning products you’ll reduce the usage of toxic chemicals that are damaging to you and the environment. You get total control over the ingredients, making them much safer for children and pets.
Solar Oven
Repurpose an old cardboard box to explore solar energy in your home. This creates a greenhouse effect by trapping the sun’s heat to melt chocolate, make s’mores, or even grill a hotdog!
Upcycle & Reuse
Wind Powered Pinwheel
Wind is a powerful element which can be used to power entire buildings by using wind turbines to produce energy. We’re going to make our own wind-powered pinwheel!
Eco-Dough
Similar to Play-Doh, create a 100% non-toxic molding dough for children to play with! It’s a great sensory and developmental project to play with and can be customized with glitter and food coloring.
Recycled Instrument
Have waste or materials that can be reused? Make a musical instrument to reuse materials that would have gone to waste. These recycled instruments foster cognitive and musical development in an engaging way!
Personal Wellness
Botanical Shadowbox
Arrange and glue dried flowers, pressed leaves, and twigs into a shadowbox frame. This is an incredibly mindful way to preserve memories from a special hike or garden stroll.
Decorated Planter
Transform basic plastic or terracotta pots by painting them or wrapping them with textured macramé cords. This allows you to give everyday items a second life and match your space’s aesthetic!
Flower & Leaf Printing
Cut flowers and leaves can be dipped into paint, printing flower heads onto thick watercolor paper. It’s proven to be a deeply relaxing and accessible activity!
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