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The Empowered Educator

Inspiring ideas, training and resources for early learning.

DIY Recycled Pallet Projects for Kids!

by The Empowered Educator 16 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…
PALLET FLOWER & VEGETABLE PLANTER/FENCE
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)
BALANCE BOARDS

Think outside the box a little and use them as play prompts…..
PLAY PROMPTS & TABLES

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!

GARDEN COMPOST BAYS
A little recycled fun for the outdoor play area…
OUTDOOR BLACKBOARD
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!
BUDGET FENCING
A little shadecloth over them prevents climbing getaways and they make lovely farmyard type gates too!
GATES
Don’t just use the pallet boards…why not use the noggins as well to make some….
RUSTIC BUILDING BLOCKS
Fantastic to use as loose parts in block play….
Or as…..
FINE MOTOR & MESSY PLAY RESOURCES

 

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!


Filed Under: Ideas for Frugal Fun, Ideas for Sustainability

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Comments

  1. Penny says

    03/09/2013 at 7:09 am

    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
  2. Happy Whimsical Hearts says

    03/09/2013 at 9:03 am

    You guys are very impressive with all you pallet projects! Where do you get your pallets?

    Reply
  3. Racheous says

    03/09/2013 at 12:07 pm

    Incredible ideas and inspiration! I always want to (make my hubby) do things like this! I think I’m going to show him this ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
  4. JDaniel4's Mom says

    04/09/2013 at 11:30 am

    What wonderful projects! You came up with so many different ways to use them.

    Reply
  5. Kirsty @ Bowerbird Blue says

    04/09/2013 at 3:38 pm

    you are the upcycle queen, love the gates

    Reply
  6. may jeun says

    05/09/2013 at 2:13 pm

    Very smart!! Thank you for sharing!:)Hope I can try one day.

    Reply
  7. Eva - The Multitasking Mummy says

    11/09/2013 at 5:57 am

    I love the compost bays, I saw similar on Gardening Australia and felt the urge to make compost! I love the blackboard and the kitchen!!

    Reply
  8. Kate Grono says

    12/09/2013 at 11:47 am

    Gosh who had any idea you could use them for so many things! You are so creative, thanks Jode. LOVE the kitchen.

    Reply
  9. Danya atDanyaBanya says

    12/09/2013 at 12:17 pm

    Love the upcycling! We don’t come across pallets in our part of suburbia too often, but I’ll keep an eye out now. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  10. katepickle says

    13/09/2013 at 9:45 am

    You guys have these coolest outside area!!

    Love all these ideas… pinning!

    Reply
  11. peacefulparentsconfidentkids says

    15/09/2013 at 11:09 am

    These are amazing ideas! I love the little kitchen and also the blackboard. What amazing talent you and your husband have! Great post!!

    Reply
  12. Deborah Alter-Rasche says

    15/09/2013 at 11:21 pm

    I really have to find some free pallets somewhere! Great post Jode.

    Reply
  13. Be A Fun Mum says

    16/09/2013 at 12:52 am

    So awesome that you have someone so handy around! These are great!

    Reply
  14. Bekka Joy says

    16/09/2013 at 4:41 am

    LOVE!! There’s a carpet store near us that has a big pile of pallets free to good home! ๐Ÿ™‚ This is basically my to do list all in one place as I’ve envied your amazing pallet creations!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for the great collaborative post… pinning it to a few boards now! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  15. Elise Ellerman says

    17/09/2013 at 11:51 am

    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. Amie M says

    19/09/2013 at 4:47 am

    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 ๐Ÿ™‚ xo

    Reply

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Jodie
Hi, I'm Jode, Mum to 3 girls in Australia, and an early childhood educator, presenter and consultant.
I share ideas, inspiration & resources for play based, inquiry led learning
Find out more about me here...

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