I have talked about the fabulous Reverse Art Truck before on the blog (here and here). I love the idea of the kids using their imagination to make creations out of recycled materials.
If you live in Melbourne it is worth the trip to visit Reverse Art Truck in Ringwood. Last time we went, it was on request of the preschooler. He is at that stage where he loves to build, create and tinker. I have found by providing him with a wide range of recycled materials, he comes up with amazing creations.
Going To Reverse Art Truck
Reverse Art Truck
Reverse Art Truck - So much to choose from!
Reverse Art Truck - And some of these!
Our loot from Reverse Art Truck = $30
Using Our Imagination To Create
When we have a big box of recycled materials like this, we tend to have long sessions where the kids will explore, imagine and create. The house becomes a bit like a modern art gallery with all sorts of constructions about the place, but it is wonderful to see them become inspired from what they have.
Recycled Creations - Using the glue gun
Recycled Creations - The Ramp!
The complex creation from the older boys.
What materials do your kids like creating with?
This post is part of the Teach/Learn Carnival, March’s theme is Imagination. If you would like to join in submit your own post here, or check back at the end of the month for the links to lots of great posts.
20 comments...read them below or add one
We have our own version in Sydney called Reverse Garbage. It is like heaven for a preschool teacher and a mum to young boys. I get ridiculously excited every time I walk in the door!
That looks like a great idea for School Holiday fun
Plus I do love my recycling.
If you are going in the holidays, let me know. I think we may have to make a trip out there as well
Bookmarking the link now so I don’t forget. Crafting is FINALLY making a return to our house (all I had to do was stop nagging!) and this might be the inspiration needed for some exciting new works
What a fantastic place. I can see my little guy would go nuts.
I wish we had reverse garbage, I can hardly keep up with my son’s desire for recycled materials.
I believe every community should have a store like this.
Vancouver BC has something similar but on a smaller scale store called Urban Source http://www.urbansource.bc.ca/
I try to visit it whenever I visit the city.
oh yes! urban source is a little treasure trove and well worth the pilgrimage.
every community needs a store like this
Fabulous! I love recycled art, I used to do it often in the classroom and was always amazed at the ways kids could use different items for so many things…they were so much more inventive than me!
If anyone is interested in Perth, we have Remida in Carine, it sounds similar…
I just have just started what I hope will become a regular post on re-purposing over at our blog….I call it Broken By The Boys – I have been collecting broken, discarded items around the house and the challenge for the boys and I is to stop the item ending up as rubbish by finding a new use for it…
Check it out if you have time and are interested!
http://alicebecomes.blogspot.com/2011/03/broken-by-boys-richard-scarry-wall.html
Thanks for sharing other recycling places. Glad to hear that there are a few around. Gill will also check out your weekly post.
We have something similar in northern California called RAFT (resource area for teachers). It’s amazing, and I never leave the store empty-handed. My daughter (33 months) is currently obsessed with making structures out of toothpicks and gum drops.
We’ve also had a lot of success making recycled sculptures.
http://tinkerlab.com/2011/02/recycled-sculpture/
This is such a great idea!! We will have to make a day trip out there in the holidays!!! My kiddos loooooove making endless creations…and I think the car ramps looks perfect!
xxxCate
What a fantastic place, I had no idea it existed. Well worth the long drive for us.
What I’d like to know is what do you do with the masterpieces after the kids have had finished creating? Same with art from kinder. I feel too guilty throwing out things that my daughter is so proud of making (even if they are never looked at again) and they are just so darn prolific! We live in a small house and we can’t keep everything!
[...] The Planning Queen has been writing about ‘Recycled Creations’ at Planning with Kids, letting kids imagination run wild choosing and creating from recycled materials. [...]
[...] The Planning Queen has been writing about ‘Recycled Creations’ at Planning with Kids, letting kids imagination run wild choosing and creating from recycled materials. [...]
[...] The Planning Queen has been writing about ‘Recycled Creations’ at Planning with Kids, letting kids imagination run wild choosing and creating from recycled materials. [...]
Fantastic, I have never heard of a reverse art truck. What an amazing idea! I always try and keep cardboard tubes and other bits and pieces to re-use in crafts and building, it’s cheap and fun and reduces waste
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