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The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

DIY Recycled Pallet Projects for Kids!

by 18 Comments

As His Patient Self headed off on the weekend to pick up some more pallets it occurred to me that they really have been the starting point for many of our projects.

I know there are many readers of this blog who also love to use recycled materials…especially in projects for the kids so I have rounded up 11 of my favourites to share again with you!

DIY Recycled Pallet Projects for Kids - Mummy Musings and Mayhem
Pallet timber is usually not as strong or weatherproof as the wood you would specifically buy for your DIY projects but it is a budget option and with a little work put in at the beginning to pull apart the pallets and a little imagination and creativity you have a very thrifty building material and resource!
You can usually get pallets for free by asking at the warehouses and shops in your industrial estate. Many will happily give them away although others do keep reusing them…just keep asking!
If you aren’t sure where to start with taking apart the pallets this video might prove helpful…especially with not splitting your boards as you want to be able to keep as many as possible!
The project below is my absolute favourite so far…the toddler twosome continue to play with it everyday and it is holding up well in the weather! Only took an afternoon to construct and cost nothing!


PALLET SAND KITCHEN

Easy Pallet Sand Kitchen Fun - Mummy Musings & Mayhem
Here are 10 more ideas to get you inspired to find that free pallet next weekend…
 

MAKE SOME BED SLATS

Easy pallet bed slats
Make a planter fence with the kids and let them take care of the plants each day…
Recycled pallet fence planter - Mummy Musings and mayhem
There are so many ways you can use them around the house as balance boards (click photos for more details)

Think outside the box a little and use them as play prompts…..

They are also useful in the garden and these compost bins have helped teach the toddler twosome all about composting and then using it in our vegie patch…they love to weed and fill it up!

A little recycled fun for the outdoor play area…
DIY Outdoor blackboard
And a truly budget solution when we needed to keep small wandering toddlers safe but didn’t have the money for more fencing!
A little shadecloth over them prevents climbing getaways and they make lovely farmyard type gates too!
Don’t just use the pallet boards…why not use the noggins as well to make some….
Fantastic to use as loose parts in block play….
Or as…..

 

Have you made a project with pallets? I’d love to see it so be sure to leave your blog link or idea in the comments below!

Want to know more about how to use pallets? Ask a question below and I’ll try my best to answer!

Have a great week all….remember to look around you and see what recycled magic might be found!


More ideas and support below!

Comments

  1. I thought perhaps you’d taken a whole bunch of ideas from the web and stuck them in here but no, you’re amazing, all those ideas are your own. Brilliant! Seriously Jode. I wish I’d been born in your womb! lol

    Reply

  14. LOVE!! There’s a carpet store near us that has a big pile of pallets free to good home! 🙂 This is basically my to do list all in one place as I’ve envied your amazing pallet creations!! 🙂 Thanks for the great collaborative post… pinning it to a few boards now! 🙂

    Reply

  15. I love this – one resource and you have found so many creative uses for it. This is such an inspiring post. Your sand kitchen and planter fence are my favourites. Elise @ Creative Play Central

    Reply

  16. Great post, Jode! How is the family daycare going? You must be rushed off your feet but I bet everyone is having a fantastic time. Don’t stress about not posting, there’s so much I can go back and catch up on here on your site! Priorise, the kids during the day, Jode at night and maybe blogging somewhere further down the list. You’ll find your rhythm 🙂 xo

    Reply

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What people are saying …

A big shout out to you Jodie!

I purchased all your Educator Resource Packs and they are fantastic! I can already see they are going to be a massive help in all areas. You share so many fantastic resources and ideas. I can hardly wait to get more oranges!
Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into putting these together.

Renata Plesa Stipanovic

5.0
2018-10-24T11:28:25+00:00

Renata Plesa Stipanovic

I purchased all your Educator Resource Packs and they are fantastic! I can already see they are going to be a massive help in all areas. You share so many fantastic resources and ideas. I can hardly wait to get more oranges! Thanks for all the hard work that obviously went into putting these together.

Thank you!

I've been teaching for over 20 years, with 14 of that time being a 3's teacher. It's hard to find workshops that go beyond basics but you offer basics and MORE and are exetremely helpful and supportive.

Chris Binder

5.0
2018-10-24T11:33:54+00:00

Chris Binder

I've been teaching for over 20 years, with 14 of that time being a 3's teacher. It's hard to find workshops that go beyond basics but you offer basics and MORE and are exetremely helpful and supportive.
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Thanks Jodie for doing what you do.

I love that you are genuine and have a working knowledge of all that you offer to educators. Only educators know what other educators go through and need in terms of support and resources. I appreciate you and the work you do.

Peta Wendt

5.0
2018-10-24T11:51:24+00:00

Peta Wendt

I love that you are genuine and have a working knowledge of all that you offer to educators. Only educators know what other educators go through and need in terms of support and resources. I appreciate you and the work you do.

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to Jodie.

I was the winner of the My Play Prompt Planner and I LOVE it! It has given me the confidence to start the new year with a bang, with no stress and to feel confident I am doing the best I can with my programming. Thank you!

Cora Mills

5.0
2018-10-24T11:54:57+00:00

Cora Mills

I was the winner of the My Play Prompt Planner and I LOVE it! It has given me the confidence to start the new year with a bang, with no stress and to feel confident I am doing the best I can with my programming. Thank you!
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What a great resource.

I got the Organisation Toolkit today, I'm starting my own family day care and no way in hell am I going to be unorganised! Thanks sooooo much for such a great resource.

Katrina Krogh

5.0
2018-10-25T12:24:25+00:00

Katrina Krogh

I got the Organisation Toolkit today, I'm starting my own family day care and no way in hell am I going to be unorganised! Thanks sooooo much for such a great resource.

Well Done!

It's blessing to find such a great range of resources and information that will simplify my job. It's the first time in 21 year I've found this kind of resources that I can reach just pressing a button!

Xiomara Moran

5.0
2018-10-25T12:27:14+00:00

Xiomara Moran

It's blessing to find such a great range of resources and information that will simplify my job. It's the first time in 21 year I've found this kind of resources that I can reach just pressing a button!
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