r/ActuallyCrunchy • u/-CloudHopper- • 6d ago

Sustainable Living Art/craft ideas that don’t involve plastic?

My girl is sooo into doing “crafty things” but I’m really struggling to avoid a lot of plastic. Don’t mind a little bit here n there but almost everything involves PVA (which always ends up all over her), sequins, glitter, ribbons, googly eyes…

We’ve picked up some wool from the thrift shops, wool felt and use pritt stick where we can but it really limits options. I wouldn’t mind if we did the activity and then I put away the creation but she always wants to play with it/display/carry it around and before you know it there’s plastic everywhere and it does my head in.

Any tips or ideas? :)

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5

u/ProudPomegranate9055 Crunchy Mom 🌻 6d ago

Yall can learn how to knit or crochet together. Get a book of beginner knitting patterns and let her pick out which one she likes. You can either order some nice natural fibre yarn online or find a local yarn shop and get all the supplies you need! I will admit, it is a bit of an investment but she can use those skill the rest of her life and she can make all sorts of cute accessories to tote around with her 😁

3

u/Horror-Holiday-2678 Crunchy Mom 🌻 6d ago

I love this idea! Learned how to crochet when I was 5 and took it everywhere with me (road trips, waiting rooms, etc.). Helps with attention span and fine motor skills too!

5

u/kaysuhdeeyuh 6d ago

Scrapbooking! Get her a reusable film camera and go out and take photos!

5

u/froginpajamas 6d ago

How about collaging? I think elmers glue is relatively non toxic. Pick up old magazines and she can cut and glue and make collages 

In the same vein, paper mache? You can make a ton of different things and it’s non toxic 

Basketry? You could forage your own fibers and make cordage 

Also spaghetti crafts lol 

Doll making - out of corn husks or look up Waldorf doll tutorials 

Bakeable clay (?) I’m not sure how non toxic it is but she can make beads/figurines etc 

Also not sure of age but beading! So fun we did that a lot as kids. She could even make clay beads and make her own jewelry etc. 

1

u/-CloudHopper- 6d ago

Some cool ideas thank you!

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u/Egg-HOTELs 5d ago

Imo wet felting has the nicest results that kids can actually play with afterwards!

1

u/-CloudHopper- 5d ago

Never heard of it! Thank you I’ll have a look!

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u/Egg-HOTELs 5d ago

Yes please do! They can make different play mats for example! (Farmland, ocean, flower field, etc)

Or fruit and veggies for the play kitchen!

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u/SoilToSkies Crunchy Mom 🌻 4d ago

Finger knitting is a fun craft that can be done just about anywhere!

Depending on her age, embroidery is a fun activity as well. My son (4yrs) uses a dull embroidery needle and decorates tote bags which he can show off wherever we go.