Cool uses for old toys

Kids go through toys just as fast as they go through clean socks, but tossing discarded playthings in the garbage isn’t the only option when you learn how to recycle toys. From Legos coasters to dinosaur toothbrush holders, discover cool uses for old toys.

Stepping on plastic building blocks with your bare feet may have you wanting to chuck them all into the trash can. But, before you boil over, find out how to put loose Legos to good use as coasters!

What you’ll need:

• Loose Legos pieces
• Felt
• Scissors
• Glue

What you’ll do:

1. Arrange your loose Legos pieces into a square arrangement, overlapping pieces and gluing as needed.
2. Cut a piece of felt just a bit smaller than your Legos coaster so it won’t stick out when saving your coffee table.
3. Adhere the felt piece to the bottom of your Legos coaster creation and allow to dry. Now these old toys can have a new purpose for years to come without hurting your tender feet!

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You won’t have to part ways with your child’s favorite toy dump truck when you turn this old toy into a new planter for flowers, plants and shrubs! And, if you’re adverse to filling up the dump truck with dirt, opt for a low pot to make it easy to swap out your greenery as needed.

What you’ll need:

• Large metal dump truck toy
• Potting soil
• Plant
• Rocks (optional)

What you’ll do:

1. To improve drainage, you can opt to add rocks to the bottom of your dump truck. Or, skip straight to filling the old toy dump truck’s bed with potting soil.
2. Arrange your plants, flowers or shrubs in the potting soil and water.
3. Now your old toy truck is ready to roll into place and spruce up your yard or patio!

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Both playful and functional, learning how to recycle old toy dinosaurs into a clever way to display your children’s toothbrushes keeps castaway knickknacks out of landfills and adorning a kids’ bathroom in a snap.

What you’ll need:

• Large plastic dinosaur toy
• Drill
• Toothbrush

What you’ll do:

1. Use your drill to create a large hole through the top and the bottom of your old dinosaur toy’s back. Aim to create a hole about the size of your child’s toothbrush.
2. Brush out the plastic “saw dust,” insert your child’s tooth brush and voila! You’ve created a one-of-a-kind toothbrush holder and upcycled your kiddo’s old toys at the same time.

Image credit: Michelle Maffei

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