Creative Recycling Ideas for KIDS

Did you know that the HGTV Smart Home is located right here in Jacksonville, Florida and includes furnishing from the HGTV HOME Furniture Collection which can be found at Woodchuck's Furniture Store! Make sure to enter daily at HGTV.com for your chance to win this fabulous home!! In the spirit of HGTV's Smart Home we are looking at some creative ways to recycle with your kids. If you want to do your part, and perhaps teach your children the importance of being good stewards to the planet here are some FUN ways to get involved.

Recycled Pencil Holder




Supplies:
2oz Green Paint
2oz Black Paint
Recycled large vegetable can
Two large wiggly eyes
Two red milk jug lids with rim
Three soda can tabs
Hot glue gun
3/4" flat brush


Instructions:
Wash can and let dry. Basecoat the can with green paint and allow to dry. Glue the wiggle eyes inside the milk jug lids and then glue onto the can. Refer to photo for placement. Squeeze the red plastic rim from the milk carton into the shape of a mouth and glue into place. Paint the inside of mouth black paint. Glue soda can tabs for ears and nose.

______________________________________________________________________

Bottle Barbie Boat




Supplies:
2 Plastic bottles
Rubber bands
Colored plastic tape
Craft knife


Instructions:
Remove the labels from the plastic bottles. Clamp the bottles together temporarily with the rubber bands, then wrap them with colored tape, as shown. Remove the rubber bands, then, with a craft knife (a parent's job), cut the oval seat openings.

_________________________________________________________________________

Recycled Crayons




Supplies:
Wax crayons
Aluminum foil
Cookie cutters
A paper plate
and a very hot sunny spot.


Instructions:
Start by peeling and breaking your crayons into small pieces. I left some chunky bits because it was well over 100 and figured it would be fine, if the day was cooler I’d used shavings to melt faster. Cover the plate in aluminum foil. Place the plate with the cookie cutters in a sunny spot and add the broken crayons. Let the sun do the rest. Depending on the temperature outside this could take a hour or more. Let cool inside, then pop out of the cookie cutters.

HGTV Smart Home 2013

HGTV's Smart Home 2013 is a high-tech, shingle-style vacation home located in the Jacksonville Beach community of Paradise Key South Beach. You can enter twice per day — once on HGTV.com and once on HGTVRemodels.com — for your chance to win the grand-prize package. Which includes the Jacksonville Beach home, all the home furnishings, a 2013 GMC Terrain Denali AND $100,000 cash! Would you like a behind the scene tour of this fabulous home? Here at Woodchuck's Furniture of Jacksonville we are giving one person just that chance. One lucky person who attends our May 4th event will be selected. At the event you will have a chance to meet HGTV's Professional Designer Linda Woodrum. During her 90 minute presentation she will share some interesting behind the scenes insight on decorating the 2013 HGTV Smart Home! Don't miss this event!



Even if you don't win HGTV's Smart home...you can still make simple changes to your own home to make it more eco friendly!! While making your home energy efficient my be costly up front, it will pay off in the end. Not only will you be helping the planet, but your wallet as well. Here are a few simple changes that can make a big difference!!

1. Reduce your use of paper products:
Napkins and paper towels are consumed in large quantities. A simple switch to cloth napkins, dishtowels or sponges can greatly reduce the amount of paper products consumed.

2. Reduce electricity use:
Swapping out old light bulbs with CFLs is a great start for reducing your electricity consumption, but don't stop there. Turn off lights, radios, TVs and other electronics when not in use. You can go even further by replacing all your appliances with energy efficient bands. The key is to use as little energy as possible.

3. Do a water usage audit:
Two of the largest water wasters in most homes is during showers and brushing teeth. Make sure everyone turning off the water while brushing their teeth? Are showers limited to under 10 minutes? And, use a water efficient shower head. You can also check to see if the toilets are using water efficiently.

4. Proper installation:
An under insulated home can use up a lot of unnecessary energy. Check to make sure you have proper insulation in the attic, doors and windows that are sealed to prevent drafts, and insulate pipes and water heaters. You'll most likely make a significant difference in the amount of energy used to heat and cool your home.

5. Reduce fuel consumption:
Everyone knows gas prices can hurt. So, take time to coordinate car trips to the grocery store, mall and sports activities, and use a lot less gas in the process. Bike, walk or carpool whenever possible. This one is good for your health, the planet and your wallet!!