Mar 23, 2026 · Abby Allen
8 Easy Upcycled Easter Crafts for Kids 4-10
Easter is the perfect time to gather around the table, get a little messy, and create something magical together, but at GlueStick, we know that planning and budgeting for kids’ Easter activities can be overwhelming and expensive. This year, skip the craft-store run. These eco-friendly Easter crafts use recycled materials (like milk jugs, egg cartons, and newspaper) so you can skip the store and start creating fast. Your family will be making more than just cute decorations. These crafts spark creativity, teach sustainability, and make memories that last long after the last jellybean is eaten. All of them are available with a FREE GlueStick account! The GlueStick app gives families: * Step-by-step, kid-friendly instructions * A supply list that helps track the supplies you already have * Projects that build creative independence (we guide kids through setup → create → cleanup) * An ad-free space designed for kids
Why Upcycled Easter Crafts Are a Win for Families
Creative activities help kids develop problem-solving skills, fine motor coordination, and emotional resilience (Harvard GSE, 2021). Working side-by-side on a craft project is also a powerful way to bond with your kids. There’s nothing better than giggling over sticky fingers or celebrating a job well done.
Did you know the tradition of decorating eggs for spring goes back thousands of years, symbolizing new beginnings and hope (History.com). Plus, Americans buy more than 16 billion jellybeans for Easter each year—enough to circle the globe three times! (National Confectioners Association)
GlueStick has tons of fabulous Easter and Spring-themed projects that’ll get your family making fun, affordable memories using supplies you already have. Here are a few of our favorite supplies.
Upcycled Supply List
Easter crafts are a breeze with these affordable, upcycled supplies:
These five basic supplies + a little paint or markers equals sustainable, family fun for Easter.
8 GlueStick Projects Perfect for Family Time This Easter
Stained Glass Easter Eggs
Ages: 3–10 | Time: 20–40 min
Make colorful Easter eggs that look like stained glass using recycled plastic milk jugs. This is a fun and easy craft to brighten up your room!
Get Cracking
Washi Tape Easter Egg Kid Craft
Ages: 3–10 | Time: 20–40 min
Make a colorful Easter decoration with paper eggs and washi tape! This is a great, low-mess way to decorate for spring that can be reused every year.
Make a Mobile
Egg Carton Sheep
Ages: 6–10 | Time: 15–30 min
🐑 Turn a simple egg carton into a fluffy sheep friend! Cut and color an egg carton for your sheep's body, add a cotton ball coat, and watch your recycled animal come to life. This project is perfect for spring, farm themes, or anytime you want to make a cute, cuddly creature from everyday materials.
Maaa-ke it!
Easter Bunny Paper Plate Craft
Ages: 3–8 | Time: 15–30 min
Make a cute and simple paper plate bunny craft to decorate for Spring or Easter!
Hop to it
Butterfly Craft
Ages: 3–10 | Time: 20–45 min
Make a beautiful butterfly craft using a recycled milk jug and markers. These butterflies will look like they are glowing when you hang them in a window!
Make some magic
Milk Carton Easter Basket
Ages: 3–10 | Time: 30–45 min
Make a cute Easter basket from an old milk carton!
Gather some fun
Super Easy Newspaper Bunny Craft
Ages: 3–10 | Time: 5–15 min
This easy paper bunny craft is so fun to make and goes together in about 5 minutes. It’s the perfect Easter activity to complete while waiting for dinner to get on the table. Or you can make it any time. There is never a bad time for these bunny craft ideas. And then use this bunny art and craft to decorate the room for the holiday.
Get the Supply List
Painted Butterfly Doily Craft
Ages: 3–12 | Time: 20–30 min
Make a beautiful butterfly using doilies, paint, and a clothespin. This is a fun craft to do in the spring!
Start flutteringTips for Making Upcycled Crafts Less Messy
We know the holiday is already stressful and the last thing you want to do before serving a big meal is clean up a big mess on the table. Here are our tried-and-true tips for balancing creative fun and a beautiful place setting:
1) Cover the table in wax paper or parchment paper. These papers are inexpensive ways to protect your table from paint, glue, and glitter. They are easy to fold up and put in the trash when it’s time to clear the table, and won’t transfer ink like newsprint.
2) Make sure everything has a home. Scissors, paper, and pencils all belong somewhere in your house. Help your kids keep track of where items belong when they’re done using them by storing the supply’s location in your GlueStick Supply Cupboard! Then, when it’s time for cleanup, the kids will know exactly where to put things away.
3) Use our clean-up checklists. - The GlueStick app will automatically generate a clean-up checklist for your kids to follow. In-app creative buddies will encourage your kids to wipe up spills and sweep up the scraps while you finish dinner.
Want more eco-friendly projects?
Want more eco-friendly, low-mess projects you can do today with what’s already in your house? GlueStick helps you pick a project based on supplies you have, then guides your kid from setup to cleanup. Create your GlueStick account and start crafting memories that last.
Looking for even more Spring ideas you can do at home or on the road?
Check out our Spring Lion/Lamb crafts or 7 Crafts you can Make with Kids While Traveling
