If you need a gift for a friend or family member, why not make one instead of buying it? These three cool gift ideas are plastic-free and turn old stuff into something amazing! You’ll make someone smile and help protect the Earth. How awesome is that?
Popsicle Picture Frame: What photo will you put in your frame?
You’ll need:
- 4 used popsicle sticks
 - Clear glue
 - Fun things to decorate with (like paint, string, ribbon, magazine pictures, or little buttons)
 - Scissors (ask an adult to help!)
 - An old cereal box
 - Your favourite photo
 
Let’s do it!
- Lay out 8 lolly sticks in a square shape (2 on each side). Glue the corners to stick them together.
 - Decorate your frame however you like – go wild with colours and cool things!
 - Print or choose your favourite photo. Ask an adult to help cut it so it fits nicely in your frame.
 - Stick your photo onto a piece of cardboard (cut from a cereal box).
 - Turn the frame over and glue the cardboard/photo to the back. Done!
 
Fun Memory Game
Make your own memory game with cute pictures!
You’ll need:
- 2 old cereal boxes
 - Glue
 - Scissors (with an adult’s help)
 - Some old magazines with pictures (like animals, food, or toys)
 
Let’s play!
- Cut out 20 small cardboard squares (about the size of a big coin).
 - Find 10 pairs of pictures in your magazines—like 2 lions, 2 cakes, or 2 flowers.
 - Cut them out and glue them onto your cardboard squares.
 - Mix them up and place them face down.
 - Take turns flipping two over. If they match, you keep them. The player with the most pairs wins!
 
Cute Herb Planter
Grow a plant and give it as a gift!
You’ll need:
- A small pot (terracotta is great!)
 - Soil
 - Herb seeds (like mint or basil) or a small herb plant
 - Decorations (paint, ribbon, stickers, pebbles, little toys)
 - Clear glue
 
Let’s plant!
- Ask an adult to help you get the pot, soil, and seeds or a plant.
 - Decorate your pot with fun things—paint it, wrap ribbon around it, or glue on tiny toys!
 - Add the soil to the pot. – If you have seeds: sprinkle a few on top, then cover them with a little more soil. – If you have a plant: dig a small hole, put the plant in, and press the soil around it.
 - Water your plant and place it in the sun. Don’t forget to water it if the soil feels dry.
 
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za
Weekend Argus