All Activities
Make art from found materials

Make art from found materials
Green highlight

Collect found natural and recycled materials to design a collage or small sculpture, exploring texture, composition, and safe gluing techniques to make eco art.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to make art from found materials

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Found Object Art - Art and craft for kids - Learn Super Easy Ideas - Art projects for students

What you need
Adult supervision required, colouring materials, flat base such as cardboard or thick paper, found natural materials (leaves twigs small stones), glue such as white glue or glue stick, recycled materials (scrap paper cardboard bottle caps), scissors, tape

Step 1

Gather your collected natural and recycled materials and bring them to your workspace.

Step 2

Clear a table or floor area and place your flat base on it.

Step 3

Sort your materials into piles by texture and color so you can see your choices.

Step 4

Arrange pieces on the base without glue to try different compositions and find a design you like.

Step 5

Ask an adult to help trim or break any pieces that are too big sharp or hard to change.

Step 6

Put a small dab of glue on the base where you want your first piece to go.

Step 7

Place the piece onto the glued spot and press gently for a few seconds to stick it down.

Step 8

Repeat gluing and placing to build layers and interesting textures across your artwork.

Step 9

Use colouring materials to add color highlights or draw details on or around your pieces.

Step 10

Set your artwork somewhere safe and let it dry completely.

Step 11

Tidy up your workspace and put all leftover materials and tools away.

Step 12

Share your finished eco art creation on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we use instead of a flat base or craft glue if those are hard to find?

If you don't have a flat base use a sturdy cereal-box panel, paper plate, or poster board and swap hot glue for white school glue, glue dots, or double-sided tape when you 'put a small dab of glue on the base'.

Why won't some pieces stick or keep falling off, and how can we fix that?

If heavy or damp natural pieces won't stick, dry them first, trim them smaller with adult help as the instructions say, and use stronger adhesive like tacky craft glue or extra dabs where you 'place the piece onto the glued spot' so they press and hold.

How can I change the activity for a 3‑year‑old, a 7‑year‑old, or a 12‑year‑old?

For a 3‑year‑old use large safe pieces and pre-apply glue dots, for a 7‑year‑old let them sort textures and arrange pieces without glue, and for a 12‑year‑old encourage trimming with adult supervision, layered textures, and detailed color highlights as in the 'Repeat gluing' and 'Use colouring materials' steps.

How can we make the artwork more special or long‑lasting?

To personalize and preserve your piece, add layered textures as you 'build layers and interesting textures', seal natural bits and colouring highlights with Mod Podge or clear varnish, and photograph the finished work to share on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to make art from found materials

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Found Object Art Lesson | Assemblage Art Tutorial

4 Videos

Facts about eco-friendly art and recycled crafts

♻️ Recycling and upcycling cut waste — recycling one ton of paper can save about 17 mature trees.

🖼️ Collage jumped into fine art when Picasso and Braque began pasting paper and fabric into Cubist works around 1912.

🔎 Marcel Duchamp’s readymades (like Fountain, 1917) helped turn everyday objects into recognized artworks.

🌿 Natural materials in eco-art often change or decompose over time, and many artists design projects that evolve.

🧴 School-grade white (PVA) glue is non-toxic and washable; low-temp glue guns plus adult supervision are safer for kids doing 3D glue work.

How do you make eco art from found natural and recycled materials?

Start with a short walk to collect leaves, twigs, seed pods, pebbles and clean recycled bits like bottle caps or fabric scraps. Sort and dry items, then lay out a simple composition on a sturdy base (cardboard or wood). Use non-toxic white glue or glue dots for light pieces; for heavier pieces use tacky glue or supervised low-temp hot glue. Build in layers—flat pieces first, raised elements next—then let everything dry fully before displaying.

What materials and tools do I need to make a found-material collage or small sculpture?

Gather natural finds (leaves, flowers, twigs, shells, stones) and recycled materials (cardboard, fabric scraps, bottle caps, newspaper). Tools: child-safe scissors, paintbrushes, non-toxic white glue, tacky glue or glue sticks, glue dots, optional low-temp glue gun (adult use), a sturdy base (cardboard or wood), markers or paints, string or wire for 3D pieces, and a tray or newspaper to work on. Optional: water-based sealer to protect finished art.

What ages is making eco art from found materials suitable for?

This activity fits many ages with adaptations. Ages 2–4: sensory collages using large, safe items and glue sticks with close supervision. Ages 5–8: more complex layouts, simple cutting and tacky glue with help. Ages 9–12: encourage small sculptures, planning and mixed media. Teens can handle stronger adhesives and tools with supervision. Always supervise scissors, hot glue and small pieces, and choose materials to match each child’s fine-motor skills.

What safety tips should parents follow when making art from found materials?

Clean and thoroughly dry natural finds to remove dirt and insects. Avoid poisonous plants, sharp shells, glass or brittle objects. Keep small choking hazards away from children under three. Use non-toxic glues and allow adult use for hot glue guns or sharp tools. Wash hands after handling outdoor materials and watch for plant allergies. Work on a protected surface and ensure glued pieces cure completely before letting children handle finished art.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.