With the focus on green living and the need to eliminate some of the clutter from our homes, finding creative uses for useless items around the house is essential. Think about all those CDs and DVDs that you have lying around that are scratched, broken or just are never used anymore. One of the most fun and environmentally friendly things that you can do with old CDs is to add them to your kids’ craft box.
CD Picture Frames
Showcase your favorite photos
in a bright and shiny frame. Just cut your picture into a circle shape and
attach it using photo safe glue or tape. Kids can use glitter, stickers, paints
or just about anything else they can attach with glue. Stick a magnet to the
back and use it on the fridge or a locker, or place the CD in a plate holder to
display your photo and frame on a shelf or tabletop.
Christmas Ornaments
Making Christmas ornaments is
another great way to give your old CDs a new life. The options here are endless!
Let the kids go crazy with puff paints, glitter, jewels, artificial flowers and
anything else that you can hot glue to the disc. Once their masterpiece is
complete, tie a string or wire through the hole of the CD and secure it at the
top to prevent spinning.
Disco Ball Decoration
Everyone loves a disco ball,
especially the preteen set. They can create their own disco ball to hang in
their room, creating a cool focal point and great light effects. All you need
is some old CDs, a Styrofoam ball, hot glue or craft glue, kitchen shears for
cutting the CDs.
Simply wrap the wire around
the ball to secure it, leaving a loop at the top.
Next, cut the CDs into pieces
suitable for the size of the ball you are using. Generally, about ½-inch pieces
for a 5-inch ball or 1-inch pieces for a 12-inch ball will work best. A quick
tip to prevent splintering when cutting is to dip the CDs into boiling water
for a couple of seconds. Use kitchen tongs to prevent scalding and do not let
them stay in the water long enough to start warping.
Now you can glue the pieces
to the ball. Start from the bottom and work to the top, making sure to get the
pieces as close together as possible. Let the glue dry, if necessary, then hang
hear a light source or window.
CD Clock
CDs make a great background
for a clock. Let the kids decorate the CD as a clock face, adding numbers and
decorations from any craft supplies that you have around the house. Attach a
clock kit from any craft or discount store to the front of the CD, and hang it
on the wall.
CD Party Banner
If you are looking for a fun
way to decorate for a birthday or other special occasion, old CDs make great
banners. Tie together CDs with string or ribbon to create a banner effect and
then have the kids cut out and decorate the letters for the message that you
want your banner to say. Attach the letters to the CDs and hang up your banner.
You now have a reusable banner for any occasion!
Mom Topics 
