Barely halfway into summer break, the mystique is wearing off. For parents seeking fresh ways to amuse the kids without breaking the bank, inspiration, materials and tools are within easy reach around the house.

The average American generates 4.4 pounds of municipal waste every day, according to the World Resources Institute. Nico Morrison Sidell – of Redo Reuse (www.redoreuse.com), a repurposed-clothing design program – and Nancy Pennington of the N.C. Museum of History share three craft projects made with recycled materials that are sure to add some spice to what’s left of school vacation:

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Tips for crafters

For sewing projects, let children use embroidery needles: They are bigger and easier for little hands. Things will move more smoothly if you pre-thread them.

When working with recycled items, be sure to wash them with hot, soapy water and dry completely before use. Fabrics should be put through the laundry according to instructions, and plastic items might be best cleaned in the dishwasher. Any remnants of dirt, food or grime will eventually compromise the craft.

Think you have nothing to recycle into a craft project? Look again. Those things destined for donation – clothing, shoes or housewares – all have potential, especially once you let your imagination kick in. Think about color and texture: sandpaper, ribbons from gifts saved for their beauty, throw pillows that have lost their shape, and the jar of buttons you never seem to need can all become something new.

Look at games or toys your children love, and think about ways to re-create them using other materials. They will have fun “copying” their favorites (like the checkerboard), and might make a memento that lasts in a way the store-bought version might not.

Use powdered soft drink mix as a dye for natural fibers such as cotton or wool.

Measure twice, cut once.

Musical Spoons

This project was inspired by the “playing spoons” woodcarvers used to make in the days before “Guitar Hero.” Young children will enjoy making their own musical instrument with basic household items. The best part: The resulting “melody” is not too noisy.

You will need:

2 plastic spoons

Clear tape

Toilet paper or paper towel roll (referred to in step-by-step directions as cardboard tube)

Construction paper

Colored pencils or marker – and anything else used to a decorative embellishment, such as stickers, glitter, or beads

Step by step:

Tape one spoon to the side of the cardboard tube with the bowl side of the spoon facing out. The spoon and part of the handle should extend beyond the tube.

Tape the second spoon to the opposite side of the roll, so the spoons are back-to-back.

Cut a piece of construction paper so it is long enough and wide enough to cover the cardboard tube. Wrap it around the tube and secure with tape.

Decorate the covered tube as desired.

To play the spoons, tap them down on your knee, then up on the palm of your hand. Try clacking them to your favorite music.

Source: Nancy Pennington

Recycled Fabric Lunch Sack

These sacks can be fun for ‘tweens to make as a way to personalize lunch, or to use as a purse. But children of any age will enjoy having pouches to tote their precious items in.

You will need:

Embroidery needle, thread and pins

T-shirt or fabric scraps for two 8-inch by 11-inch pieces

2 feet of cord, jute or string

Buttons, sequins, or any other decoration you like

White glue

Step by step:

Cut T-shirt or fabric scraps into two 8-inch by 11-inch pieces (or other size, as desired).

Place right sides of fabric together, so reverse side shows.

Place cord along the short edge of fabric, leaving a loop about 2 inches long linking one side to the other. Leave ends of cord extended at opposite ends. This will become the top of the sack.

Fold 1/2-inch of fabric over the cord and pin in place. With a running stitch, sew the fabric down, creating a drawstring closure over the cord.

Join the two pieces of fabric by sewing around the three remaining sides with a running stitch. Turn right side out, and knot the ends of the cord together.

Glue buttons or sequins to decorate your reusable lunch sack. You can even spell your name with them.

Source: Nico Morrison Sidell

Recycled Fabric Checkerboard

This project is ideal for all ages; the result is a classic game that children and adults alike can enjoy.

You will need:

1 10-inch square piece of felt

8 strips of one fabric, each measuring 1-inch by 10-inches

8 strips of a contrasting fabric, each measuring 1-inch by 10-inches

24 bottle caps – or two sets of 12 small objects, such as buttons or stones

White glue

Step by step:

Lay eight strips of fabric closely side-by-side on top of the felt base.

Take the other eight fabric strips and weave them one by one through the first 8 strips of fabric. (These other eight strips should be pushed closely together, side-by-side, to form a tight weave.)

With a hand on top of the woven strips, and a hand under the felt, flip the entire board over like a pancake.

Peel off the felt, and generously apply glue to it. Press felt back onto the woven fabric.

Flip back over, and add glue to the loose ends.

Use old bottle caps for the checkers. (You can use the same 24 caps, flipping over half to create an opposing team, or you can paint or add stickers to create two teams.)

Source: Nico Morrison Sidell