15 FUN WAYS TO REUSE ALL THAT CHRISTMAS RUBBISH

15 Fun Ways To Reuse All That Christmas Rubbish - 15 different ideas to try with your children to reuse, recycle, reduce and upcycle some of that Christmas trash that would otherwise go to waste.

For many of us, Christmas means spending time with family and friends. This year that meant 7 children and 9 more adults all opening presents and eating Christmas lunch at our house.

Lots of noise, lots of fun but also lots of rubbish!

Now as tempting as it is to just stuff it all in one of the many boxes that seem to appear Christmas Day and throw it all in the trash, there are some fun projects you can try with your children once all the visitors have left and they are not quite sure what to do with themselves.

REPURPOSE CHRISTMAS WRAPPING

Turn your Christmas wrapping paper into paper beads. We use some one Christmas as a gift.

Create stars like Picklebums but use Christmas wrapping paper instead of newspaper to make your garland.

With New Year Eve just around the corner, turn some of your Christmas wrapping paper into confetti!

Or use some of the shredded paper to make some recycled paper of your own. We made some at preschool and it's such a fun hands-on learning experience.

Try some origami from some old Christmas wrapping paper. Use some of the sturdier paper for this project.

Or make some of these paper bows from some of your Christmas wrapping. You can find the how-to guide here.

Use some of your wrapping paper to create these gorgeous tree ornaments from Kids Craft Room.

Create a engineering challenge with left over Christmas wrapping for your children to build their own Christmas tree like Handmade Kids Art. The perfect STEAM challenge for the slow days following Christmas!

RECYCLING CHRISTMAS CARDS

Create your own simple DIY holiday puzzles with some recycled Christmas cards like Piglets_Pen has.

Use your old Christmas cards to create a STEM building invitation like Little Bins for Little Hands did.

One for older children to try, why not recycle your Christmas cards into next years decorations. This Christmas wreath made from Christmas cards looks amazing but is simpler than it looks to make!

Easier but still looking ahead to next Christmas. this simple DIY Advent calendar can be created from old Christmas cards.

Create some simple Christmas baubles from recycled Christmas cards ready to hang next year or create a decorative garland for class!

Of course, you can use the same slim strips of card from recycled Christmas cards to create some simple collaged Christmas tree art.

REUSING CHRISTMAS BON-BONS 

The tiny toys that come with most Christmas crackers are perfect for creating your own I Spy bottles or sensory tubs with. Not sure how to make an I Spy bottle or why? Check out this post.

Still looking for more ideas? Try our Christmas Pinterest board.