Reduce, Reuse, Recycle... CREATE!

"It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become."
​- Dr. Seuss from The Lorax

We had a great few final weeks of summer learning about conservation and recycling through simple art projects! When children use recycled materials for their art, it helps them learn the importance of reusing the earth’s resources. This is a lesson that can last a lifetime and can, ultimately, create better global citizens for the future. Using recycled materials also inspires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking, allowing children to think symbolically and use their imagination. Lastly, using recycled materials is SO EASY! Just instead of throwing the empty TP roll into the trash/recycling, toss it in a bin to save it as a loose part later and... Voila!! You have a simple, open-ended, money-saving art project!

Collaborative Cardboard City

We love collaborative art!! Everyone who wanted to got to help out with this big project and it took over a week to build! The kids created the cardboard city in three phases. First, they painted the recycled materials.

While they were painting, the kids experimented with mixing primary colors! Blue and red mixed together make...

​PURPLE!!

Mix red and yellow together to find...

​ORANGE!!

And what color does yellow and blue make?

​GREEN!!

Next, we made doors, windows, and decorations for our box buildings. 

Lastly, we put it all together!

The kids decided to name their cardboard city Recycle Diamond!

Paper Bag Masks

Recycled Flowers

Recycled Office Stickers

Paper Bag Paintings

And maybe finish it off with some finger painting ;)

Open-Ended Recycled Loose Parts

Outside Fun!

We made a mud river, took our shoes off, and felt the earth between our toes!

Our favorite guest teacher Liam showed us how holograms work!

To cool down from the Texas heat, we made some pools and had a nice swim :)​

And had fun with the bubbly, soapy, water table!

Catch Mr. Ben!!

Banana Muffins

While our cooking classes are still put on hold here at the Garden, we wanted to make sure everybody at home could still make these yummy Banana Muffins :)

1. Add 2 very ripe bananas to a mixing bowl
2. Add 4 eggs
3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
4. Add 1/2 cup almond flour
5. Add 1/2 cup coconut oil
6. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt
7. Add 1/3 cup honey.
8. Mix and pour mixture into a muffin tin
​9. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 mins or until firm
​10. Enjoy!!
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See you next time!!