Collect safe, free items like leaves, rocks, and discarded recyclables with an adult; identify, sort, and reuse them to make simple crafts.



Step-by-step guide to scavenging for safe, free items
Step 1
Put on your gloves so your hands stay clean and safe.
Step 2
Take your small bag or basket outside with an adult.
Step 3
Walk slowly and look carefully for safe free items on the ground or in the yard.
Step 4
Pick up only safe items such as whole leaves rocks and clean containers and put them in your bag.
Step 5
Say the name of each item out loud to identify what you found.
Step 6
Bring your collected items home with your adult.
Step 7
Wash your hands with soap and water before you start crafting.
Step 8
Lay out your protective mat or towel and spread your items on it.
Step 9
Sort the items into groups like leaves rocks and recyclables.
Step 10
Choose one group of items to turn into a simple craft.
Step 11
Set up your work area by placing glue scissors tape string and colouring materials on the mat.
Step 12
Attach and arrange your chosen items to build your craft using glue tape or string.
Step 13
Let your craft dry or set completely and then share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!


Help!?
What can we use instead of disposable gloves or a small bag if we don't have them?
If you don't have disposable gloves or a small bag, an adult can supervise while you use clean household rubber gloves and a reusable grocery bag or an old shoebox to follow 'Put on your gloves' and 'Take your small bag or basket'.
What should we do if collected items won't stick to the craft or get too dirty?
If items won't stick when you 'Attach and arrange your chosen items,' press heavier pieces with extra glue, use tape or string for bulky items, and pick dry, clean pieces from 'Pick up only safe items' then follow 'Let your craft dry or set completely'.
How can we adapt the activity for different ages?
For toddlers, stick to large leaves and rocks with a glue stick and close adult help during 'Pick up only safe items' and 'Set up your work area,' while older kids can sort groups, use scissors, string and recyclables for more complex designs before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we extend or personalize the finished craft?
After you 'Sort the items into groups,' personalize the project by painting leaves, labeling items with their names, making a hanging mobile with string, or decorating clean containers with colouring materials before letting them dry and sharing the finished creation on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to scavenge for safe, free items
Facts about upcycling and nature exploration
♻️ Only about 9% of all the plastic ever produced has been recycled, so reusing items really helps the planet!
🍃 Leaves make great nature stamps — press paint on a leaf and print awesome patterns!
🪨 Rocks are grouped into igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic — look for layers or crystals to tell them apart!
🔎 Small found objects like bottle caps and buttons are perfect for mosaics — just clean them first with an adult's help!
🎨 Sorting finds by color, size, or material makes it easy to plan and build cool upcycled crafts!


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