In honor of Earth Day, I thought we would do another fun craft with recyclables — a kit to design your own robot! Of course, we craft with recyclables year round, since it’s better for the environment, plus I consider them to be free art supplies. Emily has been on a robot kick lately, as seen here, so this craft was a big hit at our house!
To make the robot, I used an empty potato chip bag, washed it thoroughly and allowed it to dry completely. Then, I turned the bag inside out, and cut several shapes for the front and back of the head, body, arms, and legs. I ran each piece through my sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch around the outline, and trimmed them with pinking shears.
My original idea was to attach magnets to the backs of each piece and let Emily have a go at designing her own robot on the refrigerator. However, Emily preferred to have all the pieces sewn together, and instead decorated her robot with gem stickers (to look like lights!).
I wasn’t sure whether or not the stickers would work on the mylar surface, but they stuck just fine! She added lots of “lights” to her robot!
Then… play!!!
I never knew a robot could be such a cuddly friend!
I think a smaller version of these robots would make fantastic gift tags for a special birthday gift! Happy Earth Day!!
For more craft ideas featuring recyclables, check out our Recycling Craft Round Up!
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:33 pm
Dear Valerie,
Hey.. what did you do with the chips that were in the bag?
MY POTATO CHIPS!!!
Love,
Mark
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:34 pm
Oooh, the gift tag idea is excellent – I wonder if poptart wrappers would work? Not that we have any of those around our house!
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:34 pm
@ Mark — Nom nom nom nom nom!!! CRUNCH! MUNCH!!! Mmmm……
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:34 pm
Oh man, my boys would love this. I do the same thing with crafts from time to time, construct them with my sewing machine.
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:36 pm
@ An Almost Unschooling Mom — Oh, pop tart wrappers should work perfectly! What a great idea! Potato chips never last long in our house.
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:37 pm
@ Ticia — It might be fun to fill them with some stuffing too. The sewing is very quick, only a few minutes. Have fun!
April 22nd, 2010 on 3:53 pm
Collin is all about robots lately. He would love this. I love the gift tag idea too.
Suddenly I am craving potato chips.
April 22nd, 2010 on 4:00 pm
OK, I would never ever think of that. Obviously this robot is super cuddly too
April 22nd, 2010 on 5:43 pm
you are so awesome and creative! that's so great!
April 22nd, 2010 on 9:13 pm
@ Christy — How neat! Emily has several friends (boy & girls) who are really into robots now too. So fun!!
@ Raising a Happy Child — I thought about using chip bags as liners for reusable snack bags… just haven't tried it yet!
@ Sew Impatient — Thank you so much!! xoxo
April 22nd, 2010 on 9:15 pm
Love this idea…and her hug says it ALL!
April 23rd, 2010 on 12:39 am
Emily has the best toys!! We need to get some potato chips in our house!
Have a great time at the concert! We missed The Peter and the Wolf this year but hope to catch it next year!
April 23rd, 2010 on 11:28 am
This is a great idea. I love how shiny it is.
April 23rd, 2010 on 1:04 pm
That is so cute and cool. You're right, gift tags would be awesome!
April 23rd, 2010 on 7:57 pm
so clever!
April 24th, 2010 on 12:13 pm
seriously WONDERFUL!!!!
April 24th, 2010 on 1:13 pm
That is a super cute idea! She looks like she loves her new robot!
April 24th, 2010 on 9:10 pm
Omgosh too sweet I love her hugging it in the end
April 24th, 2010 on 9:26 pm
I love the idea of sewing it together. So clever! This is a craft even the youngest crafter would love.
April 25th, 2010 on 10:36 pm
I have a robot loving boy who doesn't like to craft, but I might be able to persuade him with this one. Thanks.