DIY Up-Cycling

Visit your local hardware store (I went to Menards) and get paint samples for free. I usually pick up two of each sample so that I can use one for the game board and the other one I use to cut up to make the matching game pieces. This cost me nothing to make and the kids love it. I usually talk to the paint department to ask if it is ok to take some extra samples for my family child care program and they are always more than willing to help me out. I glued an envelope to the back of this sample so that I could store the game pieces inside.

These are crayon paint samples that I picked up at Menards. I picked up two of each color and they make great matching games. The kids also like to find items in my room that match the color of the crayons. You can laminate them for extra durability. The various stores will also have paint samples with cartoon characters on them.

These are samples of countertops (also picked up at Menards). They are thick and durable. You can also use them as a memory game and turn them over to find the matches. I absolutely love these because they are so durable for the kids to play with.

I got this idea from Jeff Johnson's Every Day Early Learning book. You can visit his page at

www.explorationsearlylearning.com I used a hole punch to punch a hole in each corner of the cards (I used my crocodile hole punch from my scrapbook supplies - it will punch a hole in tin, so it is awesome). Then I connected them with a metal ring and I used clear packing tape to make sure the rings stay closed. The best part is, is that all the gift cards were donated. Ask your families now to save all their used gift cards they get for presents (all they have to do is tell the sales clerk they want to keep their card).

I got this idea from Jeff Johnson as well. The title of the book is Everyday Early Learning: Easy and Fun Activities and Toys Made from Stuff You can Find Around the House. If you would like to visit his website go to www.explorationsearlylearning.com I altered it a little from his book. I just used numbers 1-10 from the card deck, punched a hole in each corner of the card and connected it with a metal ring (I used clear packing tape to tape the ring tightly closed). Quick, easy and cheap to make.