All month long, my kids and I have been talking about what we can do to be mindful of the earth and its precious resources. From turning off lights and watching how much water we’re using to recycling and being cognizant of whether or not we’re being wasteful, I’ve tried to make every opportunity a teachable moment for them.
Many people I’ve spoken to simply choose not to try their hand at sustainability due to time, cost, and difficulty. What I try to emphasize with friends, family members and my own children, is the fact that even small actions can make a difference. Change doesn’t have to begin with a grand act, according to P&G. One of the simplest ways to begin making a difference is to change our thinking about waste. Some easy ways to begin making a difference include washing your clothes in cold water, using concentrated dish and laundry products (to reduce the amount of packaging required), turning off lights and unplugging electric devices, setting a timer while showering, and opting for diapers made from recycled materials.
My son has a dedicated homework box that we created to store all of his crayons, pencils, and supplies. Inevitably, a crayon will break and we’ll put it aside. I began placing these “broken crayons” in a basket in hopes of one day doing something crafty with them. As I started thinking, I decided to see if I could give them new life. Crafting is one of our favorite pastimes, so I decided to do a simple Earth Day-inspired project with my kids.
1. First, my son and I sorted the broken crayons out by color. Bonus: We used this moment to talk about sorting items by type and color which coincided with what he was learning in school.
2. Next, we removed the paper from each broken crayon and placed it in our recycle bin.
3. Finally, I pulled out my silicone muffin pan, placed a few pieces in each, and melted them down at 200 degrees for approximately 10 minutes. Tip: Try not to include more than 2 colors since you may end up with a black or brown creation
There are a number of different things you can do once you’ve melted the crayons down including using cookie cutters to make shapes. We kept the activity very simple and used it as an opportunity to show my children that just because something looks like it should be thrown away, doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be repurposed into something else.
P&G is hosting a Pinterest giveaway in honor of Earth Month. Simply pin the invitation and three images of activities you’d like to make or try, then fill out the form on Facebook. The prize? A brand new washing machine. For more information, visit P&G on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
This is a sponsored conversation on behalf of SheSpeaks and P&G #EverydayEffect. All thoughts/opinions remain solely that of the author.
Images: Rockin’ Mama unless otherwise noted.
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Thanks for this fun crayon idea, Caryn. My 9-year-old daughter has a good-sized wicker basket full of broken crayons, but I haven’t had the heart to throw them out! Will save your idea for a rainy day this summer. Or a blazing hot day ~ I do live in the South! Thanks again ~ Katy Davis
Aw thanks Katy! I know…it’s hard to throw out so many good (but broken) crayons! : )