Instead of heading to the craft store to buy a bunch of new art supplies today we’re going to reuse and repurpose items from the house to make adorable recycled rabbits. We’ll begin to reimagine each item’s purpose and function as trash becomes art! So let’s grab those paper tubes, pieces of cardboard, old buttons, fabric scraps, bottle caps, and newspapers before they head to the landfill! Let’s give them new life as art materials! This loose parts recycled rabbit art project is the perfect low-budget Easter activity for your classroom!
FIND EVEN MORE EASTER THEME ACTIVITIES IN OUR PRINTABLE EASTER LESSON PLANS.
No Art Supplies? No Problem!
Recently I’ve been making a ton of artwork at home and I’m beginning to run low on supplies. That’s no reason to stop making art! Let’s reimagine what art supplies can be. Children often love to search and find. Let’s go on a supply scavenger hunt to see what we have and upcycle what’s right in front of us! This is a great time to clean out that junk drawer and repurpose those loose parts. This art activity is a great introduction to the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Rabbit Facts for Kids
- Rabbits have long ears and soft, fluffy fur.
- Rabbits eat vegetables and hay.
- A baby rabbit is called a kit.
- A male rabbit is called a buck.
- A female rabbit is called a doe.
- Many rabbits live underground.
- When rabbits are scared they freeze in place.
Recommended Items to Reuse and Repurpose:
- Cardboard
- Cereal Boxes
- Paper Tubes
- Qtips
- Fabric Scraps
- Yarn
- Buttons
- Newspaper
- Pipe Cleaners
- Pom poms
- Doilies
Recommended Art Supplies:
- Scissors
- White Glue and/or Tacky Glue
Step By Step Loose Parts Recycled Rabbit Art Directions:
1.Search for Supplies!
On your mark, get set, go! Let’s visit the recycling bin to collect paper tubes, cardboard, newspaper, and more! Collect items from around the house to be repurposed as art materials including Q-tips, bottle caps, buttons, scraps of fabric and yarn. Running and getting some exercise is a fun way to include gross motor skills in this fine motor skill art activity.
2. Sort and Cut!
Review the parts of the rabbit including the head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and whiskers. View photos of rabbits to identify each part. Cut out various size circles for the rabbit’s head, cheeks, eyes, and muzzle. Cut two long, thin, and curved shapes for the ears.
3. Move and Glue!
Now it’s time to play by moving around the various cut shapes and loose parts. Try different solutions and see what works best. Each rabbit will be unique and one of a kind! Once you’re happy with your rabbit glue each item into place.
4.Talk About Art!
- Identify all the parts of the rabbit. Can you find the ey
- es, mouth, whiskers, muzzle, cheeks, and ears?
- Identify the items used as art materials and their previous purpose. Did you use any buttons, bottle caps, Qtips, or newspaper?
- How many circle shapes can you find?
- Name your rabbit. Would you like him or her as a pet?
Literacy Connection:
I recommend the book Duck! Rabbit! By Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld as a companion to this art activity. The book asks the question…Is it a duck or a rabbit? The viewer can decide! This creative and comical book focuses on an ambiguous animal and is sure to inspire great debate and discussion.
Loose Parts Recycled Rabbit Art Project
Equipment
- Scissors
- White Glue
Materials
- Cardboard
- Cereal Boxes
- Paper Tubes
- Qtips
- Fabric Scraps
- Yarn
- Buttons
- Newspaper
- Pipe Cleaners
- Pom poms
- Doilies
Instructions
- Search for supplies around the house! The listed materials are good ideas to look for.
- Review the parts of the rabbit including the head, ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and whiskers. View photos of rabbits to identify each part.
- Cut out various size circles for the rabbit’s head, cheeks, eyes, and muzzle.
- Cut two long, thin, and curved shapes for the ears.
- Arrange your parts to make a rabbit. Try different solutions and see what works best. Each rabbit will be unique and one of a kind!
- Once you’re happy with your rabbit glue each item into place.
- Wait for the glue to dry and you're done!
Notes
Share your Artwork with Us!
Please be sure to tag @fantasticfunandlearning and @youngschoolartwithmr.g on Instagram for a chance to have your recycled rabbits featured on our page. We can’t wait to see your upcycled artwork!
CONNECT WITH VIN GIANNETTO
Learn more about Vin here on his author bio page. Follow along with him on Facebook at Young School Art with Mr. Giannetto and on Instagram @youngschoolartwithmr.g for art project ideas.
MORE ART AND CRAFT PROJECT IDEAS FROM VIN
Fun Spring Art Projects for Kids
Click on the images below to see the full tutorial for each art project.
MORE EASTER FUN WITH PRINTABLE EASTER THEME LESSON PLANS
Save time and get right to the playful learning with our printable lesson plan sets. Each set includes over 30 playful learning activities related to the theme, and we’ve provided different versions for home preschool families and classroom teachers so all activities are geared directly toward your needs.
GET YOUR LESSON PLANS
Preschool Easter Theme Lesson Plans
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers.
Jane
This is perfect. My cupboards are full!
Shaunna Evans
Haha! I can definitely relate to that. This is the perfect way to reinvent some of those items hiding in the depths of the cupboard. 🙂